Marlborough Mesa

MAY/JUNE NEWS 2002

Sep 16, 2002

CONGRATULATIONS JIM!

?“A Celebration Buffet?”

On Saturday, June 8, 2002, is the celebration day and each of you will receive your personal invitation along with this newsletter. We hope you ALL can make it! You can RSVP to JimRetires2002@yahoo.com or call 480-831-1525 or 602-321-1139.

If you have ever driven or walked by our home and Jim Jones has been outside, you will see a friendly smile and wave ?– always! That is how he is ?– always. You may not know his name ?– but you won?’t ever forget his smile.

Jim will retire ?… drumroll please ?… in 29 days (May 30) and counting (his countdown board is outside, that he faithfully updates daily). He has had a terrific career at Arizona Public Service for 47 years. I?’m so proud.

For the last 4 years, I have been ?“retired?”, and Jim is the REAL reason I have been fortunate enough to stay at home and work and help in Marlborough. SO ?– this newsletter issue is dedicated to you, my dear Jim, for ?–

* tolerating all my late night rendezvous?’ with the computer ?– and understanding,
* for all my ?“lengthy?” phone calls when I really promised to watch a movie with you,
* for going with me to neighborhood meetings, whether here or at the City of Mesa,
* for my early morning conversations when neighbors call and you are ?“sleeping in?” on a Saturday,
* for being away from you when I attend meetings that last longer than expected,
* and just for all the things I do with and for our neighborhood and the people in it that takes me away from you.

You are indeed ?– a VERY SPECIAL person.


The Newsletter Needs You

By Kelly Wendel (Posada)

I?’ve been a newspaper junkie since I was a kid. I can?’t wait to see the latest edition of every newspaper I can get my hands on. Especially when it?’s a great little publication like our Marlborough Mesa monthly newsletter.

I love reading about our awesome neighborhood. We have an amazing amount of activities and a really dedicated group of neighbors who make wonderful things happen. Did you make the last ?“get together?” at our park? Did you bring your kids down for the Easter Egg Hunt? Wasn?’t the toy drive a great event?

It?’s all these things and more that make our neighborhood special. In fact, our little corner of Mesa was recently nominated for ?“Neighborhood of the Year?” in Arizona. And we don?’t even have a home owner?’s association.

One of the reasons why this neighborhood is so special is because of the long-time efforts of Jim and Alma Jones. They are a major factor in why our neighborhood is such a great place to live, and they have worked tirelessly in creating our deep sense of community.

But hey, Jim is retiring shortly, and he and Alma deserve to enjoy the fruits they have diligently sown over their lives.

So, I am stepping up and taking over the coordination of the monthly newsletter, and I want you to get involved, because I can?’t do this by myself. I want to hear your suggestions and I want your participation.

I have a lot of ideas. . . possibly too many. . . . but we are a community with common interests. Tell me what you want to see. Is your girl scout troop selling cookies? Did your child make the honor roll? Did you go on a fabulous trip? We have so much to share, and in the process, we can expand our community fabric and weave a brilliant tapestry of life in OUR community.

All I am asking is for you to help me spread a spotlight on the people and organizations that make our Marlborough Mesa neighborhood a prime place to live and raise a family.

We will keep you posted as things develop. Plans are to hold some focus meetings during the summer. In the meantime, feel free to give me a call at 480-491-9659 or drop me an e-mail to kellywendel@yahoo.com. I look forward to getting to know you.



New Round of Mail Theft

As those tax checks come back to us, so do the mail thieves. For those of you on our Neighborhood Email, you have received 2 messages from me and there are at least 10 postings on our website about this. Once again, we have a mail theft crisis. Several emails have been received telling about resident losses due to these thefts. I learned today from the mailman, who has delivered our mail here for probably 20 years, that a cluster box was also broken into on Country Club and Guadalupe just a few days ago. He has these suggestions for us:

1. NEVER put outgoing mail in your box unless you are there to watch it. Use the big blue boxes. There is one at the corner of Guad. and Alma Sch. where the auto shop is and one at Country Club and Guad. near the service station.

2. NEVER put your red flag up (even though that is what it is for) ?– it raises a RED FLAG to would-be thiefs. If you choose to mail this way, make sure your letter (with stamp showing) is not pushed to the back of the box.

3. NOTHING beats neighbors watching out for neighbors.

4. CALL if you SEE someone getting in a mailbox who doesn?’t belong ?– either the post office or police. This IS a FEDERAL offense. Be prepared to give an accurate description ?… clothing, height, etc.

5. PICK up your mail as soon as you get home and never leave it overnight (yes, he says this happens).

Our Safety Team, I am told, are trying to organize an emergency meeting to address this issue and what we can do about it.

If you are not on our Neighborhood Email and would like to be, contact me at jnajones@cybertrails.com.

The last email sent out reads: (5-1-02)
2nd Mail Theft Alert

?“Mary Lou (Portobello) stopped by my house about 7:30 am. She was on her way to work and saw a young black man in his late teens or early 20?’s (under 6?’) opening and closing mailboxes in the 1000/900 blocks of Portobello. I called police and went driving around the neighborhood myself until about 9:30 am. I talked with the 2 police officers that received the call ?– they responded quickly. They were in the area for some time driving thru our streets only to find no one.

Two residents emailed us that had mail stolen recently ?– one was his income tax check and he believes more has been taken.

Brian Romberg(Emerson) posed a question: Is there anything we can do? Well, here?’s a thought ?– possibly a plan ?– at least until tax season is over with or until our little thief is caught:

There are enough of us to take ?½ hour ?“shifts?” and drive through our neighborhood on every street in that ?½ hour until folks have time to get home from work and pick up their mail. We would NOT want to confront the perpetrator ?– but call police with his description immediately. You would need to bring a cell phone (as the police WILL act quickly with this) at 644-2614. If you go to work later than 7:00 am, perhaps you can take a ?½ hour before you go ?– likewise, if you get home early. I am willing to take most any time that is left. The mailman comes here on Posada around 11:00 am.

What are we willing to do to protect mail? I will put the schedule together (say from 7am-6pm) and let everyone know ?– IF I have volunteers. We would need 22 people ?– not very many when you consider there are 469 homes.?”

Since that message was sent, we are receiving numerous residents willing to take a half hour of their time per day for at least a while.

Also, I received a message from Laurel Aslamy, Safety Team President, saying that this is something the Safety Team really needs to address. She feels they can organize an emergency meeting to address this issue specifically and perhaps organize the ?“mailbox patrols?”.

This is great news, so please begin to email her at: lawsrlw@aol.com if you can volunteer to take a shift.


MM Classifieds

We have a new addition to our web site soon. You asked for it ?– many times over ?– it is now here! MM Classifieds is the new page title by Craig Salomon. Look for it at:
http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/mesa/marlborough

Sell your items in MM Classifieds. Its FREE. Email your ad to Craig Salomon drdsl2000@yahoo.com
or call him at 838-6878 and leave a message.

Craig and his family have lived in Marlborough for 4 years on Pecos Ave and has now volunteered to maintain this part of our web site. He is a full time Web Content Manager at Avnet inc. in Tempe.


We have a New Ambassador

Chris and Debbie Albach will be covering part of the northwestern section of our neighborhood in delivering a Welcome Basket to new homeowners.

Debbie is the Past-President of the Women?’s Organization of their church and says that ?“One of my favorite things as President was welcoming and visiting the new members, so this is right up my alley.?”

Debbie and Chris have joined the 15 Ambassadors already covering our neighborhood.

If you see a home for sale or someone moving in ?– please let me know and I will pass the information along to the Ambassador for that street or area.

Also, if you might be interested in welcoming new neighbors on your street, contact me at 480-831-1525 or 602-321-1139 or via email.


Forming a Financial Committee

by Lolita Gates (Pampa)

The Marlborough Mesa Homeowners will be forming a financial committee that will meet quarterly at a minimum. If you have previous financial experience (and are a homeowner) and would like to join the committee, contact Lolita Gates at lolitagates@hotmail.com.


A Special Mother?’s Day Message

from our son, Barry, in an email to all Moms

?“Mean Moms?”

We had the meanest mother in the whole world!

While other kids ate candy for breakfast, we had to have cereal, eggs, and toast. When others had a Pepsi and a Twinkie for lunch, we had to eat sandwiches. And you can guess our mother fixed us a dinner that was different from what other kids had, too.

Mother insisted on knowing where we were at all times. You'd think we were convicts in a prison. She had to know who our friends were, and what we were doing with them. She insisted that if we said we would be gone for an hour, we would be gone for an hour.

We were ashamed to admit it, but she had the nerve to break the Child Labor Laws by making us work. We had to wash the dishes, make the beds, learn to cook, vacuum the floor, do laundry, and all sorts of cruel jobs. I think she would lie awake at night thinking of more things for us to do.

She always insisted on us telling the truth the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. By the time we were teenagers, she could read our minds.
Then, life was really tough! Mother wouldn't let our friends just honk the horn when they drove up. They had to come up to the door so she could meet them.

While everyone else could date when they were 12 or 13, we had to wait until we were at least 16.

Because of our mother, we missed out on lots of things other kids experienced. None of us have ever been caught shoplifting, vandalizing other's property, or ever arrested for any crime. It was all her fault.

Now that we have left home, we are all God-fearing, educated, honest adults. We are doing our best to be mean parents just like Mom was. I think that's what's wrong with the world today. It just doesn't have enough ?“mean moms?” anymore.

Happy Mothers Day to All our Mothers


Marlborough Directory of Services

by Diane Pyle

If you have a business or provide a service you want people in the neighborhood to know about ?– you will want your name and business or service in this directory. What better way to advertise than this ?– a FREE of charge directory to 469 homes?

Send an email or call me with your information at: buyahome1st@hotmail.com (H) (480)-777-0805 or (C) (480)-251-1940.

Please provide the following information:
Name of Resident ____________________________
Business Name ______________________________
Business Address _____________________________
Business Phone ______________________________
Home Phone (Optional) ________________________
Cell Phone (Optional) __________________________
Licensed & Bonded (If Applicable) _______________
E-mail _____________________________________
Refrences (Available upon request) ______________
Discounts (If Appicable)________________________
Please include a brief statement on the type of services offered. _____________________________________

Although we have had about 15 new businesses or services added since the last directory went out, we still need a sprinkler systems handyman, blocklayer, locksmith, electrician and landscaper.


Special Thanks

A very special thank you to Bob and Lolita Gates for coordinating our clean sweep program. There is far more work that goes into the coordination of this program than meets the eye. It is such a useful project and gives ?“inspiration?” for us to clean out and clean up our homes and property.

Once again, this was a big success with the containers very well used and filled. The next time they will be here is in October.


The Pros and Cons of a New Stadium

Never let it be said that we are not an ?“equal-opportunity?” newsletter. There are always two sides ?– here is the first: (NOTE: the article ?“For?” the stadium did not come in time ?– see the website in the Talk About It section.)


"Why I don't want the Stadium"
by Suzanne Weaver (Pampa)

I do not believe that public money should be used to fatten the wallets of people who do not give a care about this community. They are only looking to support generations of Bidwells to come.

Like the gentleman said at the City Council meeting a few days ago, we will never get rid of the Bidwells. They have always put out a bad product and have no reason to improve the product for the football market in Arizona. Their players are, for the most part, not the kind that you want your children to admire. They are either beating up their wives or putting part of their mulit-million dollar salary up their noses. They are not the only game in town & I am a very much a sports fan.

I am not even covering what this will do to the neighborhood up there. I think the Bidwells' should pony up some cash and buy the homes from those folks. What happens if he doesn't like the stadium in 15 years? Is he going to whine and hold us hostage again?

The whole stadium issue was sold as getting pools and ball fields for kids. Then on election night, who do we see at a "Victory Celebration" - the guy in the bow tie. The phantom who only comes out to grab our money. He can threaten to take his team and leave, but who wants them? All you need to do is look at St. Louis. We took their trash and they are grateful. They have a new stadium and a SUPER BOWL. We had better enjoy the World Series win from the Diamondbacks because the Cardinal franchise has never, and will never produce a Super Bowl for the Valley. They don't care if they do or not.

The Bidwells are currently playing in a stadium that is better than they deserve. Where the Council ever got the number 48,000 is beyond me. I don't think they ever get that at Sun Devil. We will have the nicest empty stadium in the NFL. The TSA is also Maricopa County and last time I looked, Mesa was part of Maricopa County. In the perfect world where this stadium did not cost Mesa anything, and I doubt that, it will still cost us as Maricopa County residents. The TSA should make the Cardinals pay the difference between the actual gate and the 48,000. Maybe the Bidwells would be forced to produce a better product.

While I am sure that there are some Cardinal fans in the East Valley, I do know two, they do not deserve this gift from the taxpayers of Maricopa County and Mesa. We were lied to in the last election. This is all shades of BOB. We were back-doored then and we
are being back-doored again. Mary Rose sits on a reminder of that every day.

If the Bidwills weren't involved, would I feel differently about the stadium?

That is a good question. I have asked myself, if this were the Coyotes arena, how would I feel? I would feel sorry for the folks in the area, but I think I would support it. It would be smaller and indoors so the noise and traffic concerns would be less. This to me is definitely a Bidwell issue. It isn't football or stadiums. We have had season tickets to the Sun Devils for years. We go to lots of baseball and hockey games. This is a sports family. The first year we had season tickets to the Cardinals. We bought their line and caved in. My husband got more response from Sporting News when he cancelled his subscription than he did from the Cardinals when he didn't renew his tickets.

I will be taking the petitions to be signed in this neighborhood to support getting this on the ballot.


Changed Your Email?

Please remember to email me if YOUR email has changed. I now have about 12 people whose emails come back to me and I don?’t have the time to call each one individually.


May Update

by Councilman Kavanaugh

First, I would like to offer my appreciation to those Marlborough Mesa residents who attended the District 3 pancake breakfast hosted by Mesa Fire Department and Station #207 on Saturday, April 20th. Everyone in attendance enjoyed the food and the hospitality of the firefighters on duty. Both parents and children really enjoyed exploring the fire engines and interacting with the firefighters. Also, my thanks go out to Alma Jones for helping spread the word. We are planning even more events for District 3 residents throughout the year, and I look forward to meeting with everyone in your neighborhood.

Have you noticed something different at the Mesa Southwest Museum? Our very own dinosaur has made his home in front of the museum. Join us on Friday, May 31st at 5:30 pm for the dedication ceremony. The museum is located at 53 N Macdonald. We have a real treasure in this world-class facility, and I hope to see everyone there for the statue dedication. For more information call (480) 644-3326.

The annual Concerts in the Park at Dobson Ranch Park will be starting May 2nd. These free concerts are held Thursday evenings through June 20th at the Dobson Ranch Branch Library (2425 S Dobson Rd). These concerts feature bands like Power Drive and Big Nick & the Gila Monsters performing all types of music ranging from Salsa, Latin Jazz and Chicago Blues. Between 300 and 500 people attend these events every year. For more information, please contact Deanna Hancock at (480) 644-2242.

Please join us in wishing a very fond farewell to our outgoing Councilmembers. The event will be held at Hohokam Stadium (1235 N Center St) from 6-8:30 pm. This baseball-themed event will feature hot dogs, hamburgers, a cash bar, entertainment by the Groove Merchants, and special presentations. Admission is free, and this is a great opportunity to thank the outgoing Councilmembers for their years of dedication and service to the City. For more information please call (480) 644-3000.

Last month I participated in the first annual Celebrity Trike Race as part of Mesa?’s Bike Week. Although I did not finish in first place, it was a great event to promote bike ridership throughout the City. Keep an eye out for the very special Trike Art to be displayed at the Mesa Arts Center. All riders rode their trikes through paint to create a unique masterpiece. For more information on safely riding your bike throughout the City, contact Brian Fellows at (480) 644-3824.

Please don?’t hesitate to contact me (644-3003) or Lisa Blyler, my assistant, (644-5295) if you have any questions regarding City issues.