Thursday, January 14, 2021
AZ GOP Chair Kelli Ward Caught In-The-Crosshairs of The Intercept
Arizona GOP Chair Urged Violence at the Capitol. The Mercers Spent $1.5 Million Supporting Her.
The billionaire Republican megadonors have funded numerous organizations now peddling baseless claims about the election.
> On December 19, Ward fired off a tweet urging President Donald Trump to “cross the Rubicon,” referring to the historical event that led to Julius Caesar declaring a dictatorship in ancient Rome. The tweet was shared by former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn.
> On January 4, Ward’s Arizona Republican Party retweeted Ali Alexander, one of the organizers of the event that culminated in the Capitol siege, who said that he was “willing to give my life for this fight”; the Arizona GOP said, “He is. Are you?”
Later that day, the Arizona GOP tweeted, “This is what we do, who we are. Live for nothing, or die for something.”
> At a rally that also occurred on December 19, Alexander praised Ward, saying “I want to thank Chairwoman Kelli Ward and the Arizona Republican Party. I work in seven states, and there is no party like the Arizona GOP Party, so let’s thank Kelli Ward.” Alexander added that Ward’s Arizona GOP was “like no other.” Ward spoke at the rally.
Ward’s role could bring attention to her biggest financiers in politics: hedge fund manager Robert Mercer and his daughter, Rebekah Mercer.
The Mercers were the largest donors to Ward’s super PAC in both the 2016 and 2018 election cycles, giving $1.5 million in total as well as over $33,000 in direct contributions to her campaigns.
The Mercers have funded numerous other organizations now peddling baseless claims about the election.
Rebekah Mercer is a principal investor in the Parler social media network and has an equity stake in Breitbart News, which has propagated false information about the election being stolen. . .
In 2016, the Mercers spent over $22 million on efforts to support Trump and other Republicans like Ted Cruz, who helped lead a dozen senators to baselessly challenge the election results. While they spent much less publicly this election cycle, they still pumped over $1.8 million into efforts to elect Republicans. Robert Mercer donated over $300,000 to the Republican National Committee and an additional $1.5 million to the Congressional Leadership Fund, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s super PAC. McCarthy, R-Calif., was the highest-ranking member of Congress who sought to challenge the election results on January 6.
Given the delay of nonprofits in releasing tax statements and the ease of hiding dark-money donations, it will be several years before the public will have a complete sense of how much the Mercers spent to influence the election. . . “You can’t have the mass radicalization that we’ve seen without extraordinarily wealthy people funneling money in." , said Michael Edison Hayden, a spokesperson for the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Finally, the Mercers have donated $3.8 million to Citizens United, which is headed by David Bossie, Trump’s 2016 deputy campaign manager, who Trump tapped on November 6 to lead his efforts to challenge the election results in the states.
Leo, Rebekah Mercer, Ward, and the Arizona Republican Party did not respond to requests for comment.
“The Mercers have been more than willing to finance efforts to blow up the political system altogether. That seems to be part of what they’ve done,” said Brendan Fischer, the director of federal reform at the Campaign Legal Center.
So Tell Me > Who's "Living The Dream"??? Mesa Still Has a Lot To Do!...Just Remembering is NOT Enough
Mesa remembers MLK with virtual parade
The City is partnering with the Mesa MLK Celebrating Committee to create the Mesa Digital Photo Parade. There are three ways to get involved:
Past parade participants are being asked to solicit a photo.
You can visit www.mesaaz.gov/mlkparade and take a picture with an online selfie card by answering the question "How am I/we living the dream?"
You can record a video of 30 seconds or less of you and/or your group answering the question "How am I/we living the dream." Entries must be submitted by Tuesday, Jan. 12 at 11:59 p.m.
Entries will be compiled on the website and social media outlets and will be available for viewing on Jan. 18. We will continue the recognition in Mesa during the month of February through a social media campaign highlighting Black History Month and ways for the community to be engaged. . .
Arizona is #42 out of all the 50 States For Wallet Hub's 2021 Survey - One of The Worst
2. Minnesota
3. North Dakota
4. New York
5. Vermont
6. New Hampshire
7. New Jersey
8. Washington
9. Connecticut
10. Utah
42. Arizona
43. South Carolina
44. Alabama
45. Arkansas
46. Oklahoma
47. Louisiana
48. West Virginia
49. Mississippi
America’s Fastest-Growing States
Southern and Western states are seeing recent population growth, according to new estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau
Overall, the bureau estimates the total U.S. population to be at more than 329 million in 2020 – a 0.35% increase compared to last year. The Southern and Western regions saw population increases, while the Northeast and Midwest saw minor decreases.
The new estimates – which are accurate up through July 1, 2020 – were created without incorporation of the ongoing 2020 census results, and are based on the last decennial census in 2010, according to the bureau's release.
Nine of the 10 fastest-growing states had population increases greater than 1%. Idaho saw, by far, the biggest growth compared to 2019 at 2.12%, with Arizona seeing a 1.78% increase and Nevada and Utah both seeing bumps of around 1.5%. Delaware – the only state in the top 10 that isn't located in the South or the West – is projected to have seen a 1% population increase in 2020.
Mesa City Council Meeting - 1/11/2021 What's The Screen-Grab + What Did They Do?
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1st Mesa City Council Meeting of New Year 2021 > REMOTE ZOOM + So Much To Slide By
https://mesa.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx 
PUBLIC HEARING > Item 8a ANNEXATION CASE ANX20-00241 (337 ACRES)
Total Assessed Valuation of private land ................................ $41,236
| File #: | 21-0031 |
| Type: | Public Hearing | Status: | Agenda Ready |
| In control: | City Council |
| On agenda: | 1/11/2021 |
| Title: | Public hearing prior to the release of the petition for signatures for the proposed annexation case ANX20-00242, located north of Pecos Road and east of Ellsworth Road (337.0± acres). This request has been initiated by the applicant, Dennis Newcomb, Beus, Gilbert, McGroder, PLLC, for the owner, Pacific Proving, LLC. (District 6) |
| Attachments: | 1. Council Report, 2. Annexation Map, 3. Annexation Petition |
| File #: | 21-0027 |
| Type: | Contract | Status: | Agenda Ready |
| In control: | City Council |
| On agenda: | 1/11/2021 |
| Title: | Three-Year Term Contract with Six Years of Renewal Options for Wireless Voice, Data, Equipment, Products, and Services for Citywide Use (Citywide) This contract provides for the purchase of a wide variety of wireless devices and services. In mid-2014, the City transitioned to a pool plan program that enabled the City to save on wireless voice, data, equipment, and services. Through this program, City devices draw from the Citywide voice or data allowance, if usage exceeds an individual plan’s limit (mitigating overage charges). In addition, equipment upgrades can be leveraged from a Citywide perspective, allowing aging or failing devices to be replaced as needed. The Department of Innovation and Technology, Mesa Fire and Medical, Mesa Police, and Water Resources Departments and Purchasing recommend authorizing the purchase using the NASPO/State of Arizona cooperative contracts with AT&T; DiscountCell; T-Mobile; and Verizon Wireless; Year 1 at $2,039,000, Year 2 at $2,267,000, and ... |
| Attachments: | 1. Council Report |
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more > Item *5-k $3,300,000 annually to replace damaged or rusted streetlight poles
| File #: | 21-0024 |
| Type: | Contract | Status: | Agenda Ready |
| In control: | City Council |
| On agenda: | 1/11/2021 |
| Title: | One-Year Renewal with a One-Year Renewal Option to the Term Contract for Streetlight Maintenance, Installation/Removal, and Rusted Pole Replacements for the Transportation Department (Citywide) The City maintains over 41,000 streetlights. Contractors are needed to supplement City crews for the replacement of damaged or rusted streetlight poles, foundations, fixtures, and cabinets. Contractors are also used for the installation of new streetlights along with performing various maintenance activities. The Transportation Department and Purchasing recommend authorizing the renewal with Brooks Bros Utility Contractors, LLC; Contractors West, Inc.; and CS Construction, Inc., at $3,300,000 annually, with an annual increase allowance of up to 5%, or the adjusted Consumer Price Index. |
| Attachments: | 1. Council Report |
Mesa Council Study Session Mon 01.11.2021 Remote Zoom > CITY'S RESPONSE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC
| File #: | 21-0012 |
| Type: | Presentation | Status: | Agenda Ready |
| In control: | City Council Study Session |
| On agenda: | 1/11/2021 |
| Title: | Hear a presentation and discuss an update on the City's response to COVID-19, including the COVID-19 vaccination and City of Mesa employees, and an overview of the programs within the 2020 Mesa Cares Program. |
| Attachments: | 1. Presentation |
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Flash News: Ukraine Intercepts Russian Kh-59 Cruise Missile Using US VAMPIRE Air Defense System Mounted on Boat. Ukrainian forces have made ...
