Thursday, February 28, 2019

Letter To The Editor: How Are Mesa & Phoenix Different From New York City?

Three words are all-too-frequently missing in the public record here in Mesa:
Equitable and Inclusive and Diversity
In a letter to The New York Times responding to an article about dwindling opportunities for low-skilled workers, Sam Marks, LISC NYC executive director, makes the case for baking equity and inclusion into economic development incentives and policies. By doing so, New York and others cities can support affordable housing and businesses that offer middle-skill jobs, and ensure that all residents benefit, regardless of their background.
The letter below was originally published on The New York Times:Jobs, Equity and Inclusion
A Letter to the NYT: Inclusive Incentives Build Inclusive Cities
2.25.2019 - In the NewsCommunity Wise Blog
To the Editor:
“Opportunity in Cities Falls to the Educated” (The Upshot, Jan. 12) highlights the threat of dwindling low-skill jobs coupled with rising rents and cost of living.
As manufacturing has diminished, quality jobs (offering a living wage along with training and opportunities for advancement) are increasingly scarce . . .
________________________________________________________________________
Blogger Note: Does everyone feel welcome here in Mesa?
The same goes for Innovation Districts:
Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive 
18 January 2018
Full-House Today @ Elliot/Nesbitt Theater/Mesa Arts Center: Brookings Institution > Innovation Districts
There was a very good buzz rising in the reception area when your MesaZona arrived just before 09:00 seeing quite a few familiar faces in the crowd who were mixing-and-mingling really good arriving beforehand to enjoy a nice spread of a continental breakfast, beverages and juices and hot food in chafing dishes when the doors opened for early birds at 08:00.\Mesa Channel 11 was on-site with a bank of three cameras in the third row front Orchestra. The upper balconies on both sides were filled . . . Everyone hungry to hear
Link > MesaZona
________________________________________________________________________
12 Principles guiding innovation districts
Districts are supercharged by a diversity of institutions, companies, and start-ups. The strength of innovation districts comes, in part, from this eclectic mix. Districts that are largely comprised of large institutions often lack the accelerated innovative growth that small, nimble firms provide. And districts characterized by a density of start-ups have fewer opportunities for well-funded partnerships and alliances. The “magic in the mix” comes from aligning incentives between these and other public, private, academic, and civic institutions.
Embed the values of diversity and inclusion in all visions, goals, and strategies. Innovation districts not only promote new technologies, they grow a range of new firms and new jobs with living wages. At a time of rising social inequality, innovation districts must become an avenue to economic opportunity for city residents—particularly for those in nearby neighborhoods that struggle with poverty and disinvestment. But growth alone is not enough. Only through intentional training, hiring, business development, and placemaking efforts can districts cultivate new local talent, encourage more diverse ownership structures, and help address poverty and disinvestment in surrounding communities.
Get ahead of affordability issues. Successful districts can, over time, drive up market pressures, impacting the ability of start-ups, maturing firms, and neighboring residents to remain in these areas. Smart districts respond early, getting ahead of the curve through a range of policy moves and strategic projects that preserve affordability and the diversity it engenders
at

CRE: What Caught Jim Kasten's Eye For News That Matters

Just got this 2 minutes ago:
Thanks to Jim Kasten for sending!
[reproduced with edits or comments]
 
Please contact:
Jim Kasten, CCIM
602 445 4113 Office
602 677 0655 Cell
Jim@KLCommGroup.com
_________________________________________________________________________________
Commercial Real Estate News That Matters
From time to time we come across news articles we feel are important to highlight because of the strong impact it might have on our economy. Here are a few that caught our eye.
Arizona's Apartment Industry is a Major Economic Driver
AZ Big Media (AZRE) reported on an article written by Peter Madrid highlighting a study completed by Elliott D. Pollack & Company for the AZ Multifamily Assoc. (AMA). Of note: “The total annual economic impact of construction and operations within Arizona’s apartment industry is the equivalent to the state playing host to more than 10 Super Bowls each year. The apartment industry generates 22,000 jobs, $699 million in wages, and $3.8 billion in economic output each year as 37 percent of Arizona residents live in rental housing.”
Dreamport Villages: Developer proposes $4B Amusement Park over 1,500 acres in Casa Grande
Goodyear Approves Construction for Microsoft Project
The Goodyear City Council voted unanimously Monday (2.25.19) to approve an accelerated construction schedule for a Microsoft project. The developer agreement will allow the tech company to begin construction on the 279 acres it purchased in September of last year.  Companies like Microsoft may follow – realizing that Goodyear, and possibly other cities in the West Valley, will do what’s necessary to attract quality business.  
At the IREM – CCIM symposium held on 1.24.2019, Elliott Pollack presented a very detailed summary of the Valley’s economy and very positive projection for the future. He also noted possible concerns to be aware of. If you would like a copy of his slide presentation, contact Jim@KLCommercialGroup.com
Arizona H20. Is Arizona really an at-risk state?
When
Date: Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Time: 7:15 AM - 7:45 AM - Check-in/Breakfast
         7:45 AM - 9:00 AM - Program 

Tickets
$40.00 2019 Chapter Membership
$50.00 Non-Member/Guest

Directions
The Esplanade (E-Center)
2501 E. Camelback Road Suite 50
Phoenix, AZ 85016

Arizona Water Rights with
Grady Gammage Jr.
Join the Central AZ CCIM Chapter and Grady Gammage Jr., to talk about AZ Water Rights. 

Details: Arizona H20. Is Arizona really an at-risk state with a questionable future due to climate, water supply and politics? Arizona native Grady Gammage, Jr. will explore the history of water in the state and discuss the challenges we face: distributing water for growth, managing groundwater uncertainty, keeping track of river supplies and asking ourselves how we should choose to live.

Food: Breakfast catered by Scramble.  Gringo Burritos, Meat Lover Scramble options. Bacon and Sausage, Hashbrowns, Fresh Fruit, Cinnamon Rolls and coffee.

Vegan and vegetarian Burrito options will be available as well - Please indicate when you register if you need a Vegan or Vegetarian option.  
 
at

LISC UpDate: LISC Phx: Supporting American workers. Promoting racial equity. Combating displacement

Here ya go!  

$10 Million to Ready Workers for 21st-Century Jobs

An exciting new commitment from Citi Foundation will ramp up LISC’s Bridges to Career Opportunities program and help some 10,000 American workers get training and support they need to take on quality jobs in growth industries like health care and solar energy.
The funding will enable 40 community organizations across the country to intensify their Bridges work, connecting residents to skills development and jobs, along with financial, health and housing services that improve quality of life. 
 
 
 

LISTEN: Racial Equity

As we celebrate Black History Month, we're reflecting on the present and future of the community development sector—with a focus on racial equity. Joining Maurice and Morgan this month is Michael McAfee, president and CEO of PolicyLink. More [+]

Forging Racial Equity in the Valley of the Sun

LISC Phoenix program officer Dominic Braham reflects on the African-American history of his city, and how the influence of a historic “dividing line” between downtown and the redlined neighborhoods of South Phoenix still shapes its communities. More [+]
 

Inclusive Incentives Build Inclusive Cities​

In a letter to The NY Times responding to an article about dwindling opportunities for low-skilled workers, Sam Marks, LISC NYC executive director, makes the case for baking equity and inclusion into economic development incentives and policies. More [+]

Sign On: Support Section 4

Please sign your organization on to our letter to urge Congress to provide funding for a vital capacity building and affordable housing program. Section 4 is needed now more than ever so that low- and moderate-income families can prosper in their communities. More [+]

________________________________________________________________________________
Upcoming Events
_________________________________________________________________________________
What We're Reading
at

What's with MAG???? [Maricopa Association of Governments]

Gotta love it > another meeting cancellation
Meeting Cancellartion - March 5, 2019
Economic Development Committee Meeting
Feb 27, 2019, 10:14 AM (20 hours ago)
 
 
The meeting cancellation memo for the March 5, 2019, MAG Economic Development Committee is posted in PDF format on the MAG website at: 
And on the FTP site:
 
The next meeting of the EDC is scheduled for April 2, 2019, at 11:30 a.m.
at

Laughter: The Best Medicine

. . . at a time when jokes are political and politics is a joke, America’s reigning queen of comedy is telling us it’s still O.K. to laugh.
O Yeah! Here's Molly Ball for the new cover of Time
Julia Louis-Dreyfus "has been portraying funny, self-centered women who are compelling despite often being ill-­behaved. ­Selina [Meyer], her capstone creation, pushes the envelope furthest: the accidental President’s megalomania, and her flamboyant vulgarity, have helped 'Veep' break awards records," writes Molly Ball for the new cover of TIME.
Dreyfus discusses politicians: "They’re just people, that’s all. Which is in one way comforting, and in another quite terrifying, given all the responsibility that they carry."
And Trump: "He’d be funny if he didn’t have the power he has.

He’s sort of a pretend, fake president. He’s a complete moron, start to finish."
_______________________________________________________________
Molly Ball's Interview: 
Julia Louis-Dreyfus Knew She Was Good. She Fought to Make Sure the World Did Too
05:41 am
Here's the Link > Time.com
Ask Julia Louis-Dreyfus how much of her is in Selina Meyer, the politician she plays on HBO’s Veep, and she grins. “Tons!” she says. Really? Selina is profane, narcissistic, needy and disagreeable, as cruel to her own daughter as she is to her beleaguered staff. Louis-Dreyfus, on the other hand—the Emmy-winningest performer in TV history—has always had an “America’s sweetheart” quality. But in the noxious politician, Louis-Dreyfus finds a pressure valve for the anger and frustration many women bottle up in public. “One has to power through it,” she adds. “And frankly, I’ve made a career of playing unlikable people. I don’t cotton to likability.”
. . . Having just finished shooting Veep‘s seventh and final season, which debuts March 31, she’s come here to produce and star in Downhill, a feature film with Will Ferrell. “There are plenty of things in trying to stay alive in show business that are very similar to trying to stay alive politically,” Louis-Dreyfus tells me. “And being a woman, a middle-aged woman, trying to stay relevant and viable–I get it. Not being taken seriously. It’s infuriating.”
at

Up The Wazoo! Following The Money In All The Right Places

Could be some more 'probing' after public testimony yesterday - here's some news from  Axios retrieved from the inbox: More trails to chase
The coming proctology exam
A check President Trump signed to Michael Cohen, while in office, is displayed during the hearing. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)
Near the end of Michael Cohen's testimony yesterday, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez asked the former fixer whether President Trump had ever run an insurance fraud, Jonathan Swan writes.
  • Cohen said yes.
  • She asked Cohen who else would have known. He named three Trump Organization executives: Allen Weisselberg, Ron Lieberman and Matthew Calamari.
Why it matters: Cohen offered no proof for this allegation — and given his record of lying, his claims can't be believed without evidence. But by making this allegation — and coughing up the names of the executives — Cohen gave House investigators and federal prosecutors yet another a trail to chase.
  • Unless you're a student of The Trump Organization — the thinly-staffed Trump family business — you may never have heard of Weisselberg, Lieberman or Calamari. 
  • But over the next year, these men and their colleagues may become household names as they endure a far-reaching, multi-armed investigation into Trump's family business and personal finances.
The bottom line: "This organization has never had a proctology exam like it's about to get," Bloomberg's Timothy O'Brien told Swan shortly after watching Cohen's testimony. "It's going to surface records that's going to become problematic for all of them to keep their stories straight." 
  • O'Brien is in a good position to know. In 2006, Trump tried — and failed — to sue O'Brien for $5 billion for writing that Trump had a much lower net worth than he claimed.
  • In the course of that litigation, because Trump went after O'Brien on financial grounds, O'Brien got his tax returns and financial records.
Here's what Trump's businesses face: 
  • Five House committees (Financial Services, Intel, Judiciary, Oversight, Ways and Means) plan to look at Trump's business deals and finances.
  • The state of Maryland and the District of Columbia are suing Trump, alleging he violated the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution by taking gifts from foreign governments through his properties.
  • The New York attorney general has a lawsuit against the Trump Foundation, alleging Trump misused his charitable foundation in a "shocking pattern of illegality." Cohen may have bolstered that case yesterday.
  • The Southern District of New York has dealt with Trump Organization executives in its investigation of Cohen.
By all accounts, Trump still has Weisselberg's loyalty. NBC reported yesterday that Weisselberg still works with The Trump Organization and has never been a cooperating witness against Trump.
  • "Any law enforcement person who's trying to build a case around insurance fraud, tax fraud, money laundering is going to have to wind up spending a lot of time [with] ... Allen Weisselberg," says O'Brien, who spent time with Weisselberg while writing his book "TrumpNation."
  • "It's the classic thing: Follow the money."
Axios reached out to senior Trump Organization executives Alan Garten and George Sorial for comment on Cohen's allegations against Weisselberg, Lieberman and Calamari. They didn't respond.
at

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

The Curious Case of the BYU Campus Police & The State of Utah

In somewhat un-similar  'internal investigations' conducted here by the Mesa Police Department , it's a little too soon to distinguish details for breaking news. The case at the BYU campus involves not officer-involved use-of-force but improper access and records-sharing of public police data in a review of the Lauren McCluskey rape allegation case.
Both do, however, involve openness, accountability and transparency.

Attorneys for the privately-owned  campus have argued that as a private institution, it should not be subject to record laws meant for government agencies.
_________________________________________________________________________
The controversy stems from a Government Records Access and Management Act request made by the Salt Lake Tribune seeking emails sent by BYU police regarding rape allegations made by a 19-year-old student in 2016.
BYU declined to release the emails, arguing it is a "privately funded, managed and operated police department within a private university." University attorneys contended the "stated purpose of GRAMA is to allow access to certain government records held by governmental entities — not to allow access to private records of private institutions such as BYU, or internal departments of private institutions, such as university police."Reference: Deseret News   (Published: February 26, 2019 9:34 am)
According to a report today just seven hours in The Salt Lake Tribune
"Police officers at Brigham Young University would lose their authority to make arrests and investigate crimes on Sept. 1 under sanctions announced Tuesday by Utah’s commissioner of public safety.
It’s the first time in Utah history the state has moved to decertify an entire police force, said Marissa Cote, a spokeswoman for the Utah Department of Public Safety, or DPS. The private school, owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said it plans to appeal
.
 

A letter released Tuesday by DPS revealed the ongoing dispute between it and BYU police as well as campus administrators . . .
In the decertification letter, DPS officials also say that BYU police failed to respond to a subpoena that was issued as police regulators were investigating an officer for misconduct.
The Salt Lake Tribune obtained BYU documents in 2016 that showed that BYU police Lt. Aaron Rhoades accessed a countywide database of police records to collect information from another police department for an Honor Code investigation by the school in one case.
Honor Code investigations are administrative matters involving university rules. The Honor Code at BYU
  • forbids alcohol and coffee
  • restricts contact between male and female students
  • imposes a strict dress code
  • bans expressions of romantic affection between people of the same gender.
_________________________________________________________________________
> A December letter to BYU police instructed the agency to allow DPS access to all “records, personnel and electronic data” records so investigators could assess how its officers use a police records database, the command structure at BYUPD and “the powers, authority and limitations” of BYU police officers.
> In the decertification letter, DPS officials also say that BYU police failed to respond to a subpoena that was issued as police regulators were investigating an officer for misconduct.
> BYU said it disagrees with the grounds cited by DPS for decertification. It said DPS believes campus police “failed to meet criteria” for an internal investigation and a response to a subpoena. “BYU, however, believes that University Police met all applicable criteria and is surprised that the commissioner is issuing a letter on these technical grounds,” it said.
__________________________________________________________________________________
It’s unclear whether the practice of searching police records for information related to potential Honor Code violations went beyond the one case connected to Rhoades.
On Oct. 25, Rhoades voluntarily relinquished his peace officer certification rather then undergo a state investigation by Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) into his use of police databases.
__________________________________________________________________________
 
at
Subscribe to: Comments (Atom)