Marlborough Mesa
NOV/DEC 2004
Nov 21, 2004
Neighborhood Website Address:
http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/mesa/marlborough
For info concerning this newsletter, please contact the editors/publishers: Jim and Alma Jones 1031 W. Posada
jnajones@cybertrails.com/ 480-831-1525 or 602-321-1139
Other neighborhood contacts are:
Sandy and Michael Scully, 2810 S. Emerson, runscully@msn.com/ 480-345-9823 or 480-250-7750.
Linda and Mike Murphy, 3048 S. Spruce,
ASUFAN2002@yahoo.com, 480-820-5742.
________________________
In This Issue:
MM?’s 4th Annual Toy Drive
A Farewell from Debbie Driscol
New Links on our Website
Christmas Concert Band
New Neighborhood Link Feature
Lost Blockwatch Sign
Neighborhood Notes
Marlborough Ambassadors
Classifieds
Homocide Article, Meeting and Minutes
Important Phone Numbers to Keep
Bring a toy ...
See Santa ?…
Have a free lunch?…
At our 4th Annual
Christmas Toy Drive
By Sandra Fischer
Yes, it?’s that time again when MM gets together to picnic and help needy children in our community at the same time. For all our new neighbors, this is a great time to see what your neighborhood is all about, as well as donate a toy to a worthy cause.
This year the toys will be donated to either the East Valley Child Crisis Center, or to clients seen by the office where our neighbor, Diane LeFevre, works. As a home health nurse, Diane sees families every day who are in great need, so her office tries to make their Christmas a bit brighter by adopting them and filling their wish lists. Our entertainment this year will be the chance to see, and/or ride in, police motorcycles and helicopter, as well as to climb aboard a fire truck. Even adults may want to join in on these activities.
Our menu this year is hot dogs, salads, drinks and dessert. The neighborhood is paying for the hot dogs and salads. What we need from you are the following: soda, bottled water, ice and your favorite dessert. We could always use holiday plates and plastic silverware, more outdoor holiday decorations and a giving heart.
To donate any items requested, or to help out the team, please feel free to contact anyone on the committee. We do need YOU. They are: Sandra Fischer - (480) 820-2773, email uffdaskf@cableaz.com; Sandy Scully - (480) 345-9823, email runscully@msn.com, or Velda Burton - 345-9978, email velda@cableaz.com. We look forward to seeing all of you there.
A Farewell From
Debbie Driscol
To All My Friends in Marlborough Mesa:
We have been working together for almost 9 years now and we have truly grown to have a relationship that is worthy of being called friends. It has been my pleasure to have been embraced by you and taken under your wing as you have taken your neighborhood to heights that are unequaled anywhere in Mesa or the valley.
I really appreciate you accepting my family as yours and for allowing us to enjoy you, your families and all your wonderful activities.
My work area is rotating to the north and I will no longer be your Neighborhood Coordinator. You will now be served by
Mike Renshaw (644-4706 ?– mike.renshaw@cityofmesa.org)
and
Stefanie Garcia (644-5432 ?– stefanie.Garcia@cityofmesa.org).
Alma has promised to keep me on the neighborhood email distribution list, so I can show up to some of your events and visit with you all.
Again, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to brag about all the wonderful things you do. I hope you won?’t mind me calling on you to allow my new neighborhoods to hear from the best on how organizing is really done and to possibly see you in action. You all have been fabulous and I pray that you will continue to be blessed for all your efforts and for all your positive work in Marlborough Mesa.
It has been a pleasure and an honor to have served you and to call you my friends.
Debbie Driscol
New Links on our Website
By Dan Shearer
Links to the Valley's two major newspapers are now available on the Marlborough Mesa web site. Look for links to The East Valley Tribune and The Arizona Republic under Community Hotlinks.
Both newspapers cover the East Valley in-depth, including Mesa, with articles on public safety, government, sports, entertainment and much more. Both sites are free but require registration for first-time users. Here's a rundown on each:
The East Valley Tribune:
www.eastvalleytribune.com
The Tribune, owned by Freedom Newspapers, circulates in the Northeast Valley and the East Valley. Those who've lived here awhile might remember it as The Mesa Tribune many years ago. As the Valley grew, so did the paper's scope and emphasis.
The web site is largely static, meaning it has the stories carried in that day's newspaper and is updated occasionally for breaking news.
The Arizona Republic:
www.azcentral.com
The Republic, owned by Gannett (which also owns Channel 12), circulates statewide and is one of the largest newspapers in the Southwest. It has Community editions (area-specific newspapers within the larger newspaper) covering several East Valley cities. The Republic is in the midst of substantially increasing staffing for its East Valley editions, including Mesa. The web site is updated 24 hours a day with the latest local and national news, and has a separate link for Mesa news and information.
Ahwatukee Foothills Concert Band
On Veteran?’s Day we had the pleasure of hearing this concert band. They are performing three more times for the Christmas Season in upcoming concerts. Those are scheduled for:
?· Thurs., Dec. 2. Arizona Temple Garden Lights & Christmas Concert, Mesa.
?· Thurs., Dec. 9: Freestone Park, Gilbert.
?· Thurs., Dec. 16: Ahwatukee Recreation Ctr
Additional information can be found on their website at www.afcband.org.
New
Neighborhood Link
Feature
This is still in its testing stage ?… but here is how NL explained it to me:
The link is:
?“Check Your Home's Value Instantly?”)
"For the next couple months we are testing the value (number of page views) of Value Check on Neighborhood Link. If it is well-used, we will incorporate Value Check into our Real Estate product by putting the "sponsoring" realtor's contact info on the Value Check pages, thereby giving them extra exposure. We will also give Value Check $5 per month for each realtor that buys into the Neighborhood Real Estate Professional program.
NL can also set up an automatic email program where monthly Value Check comps (new sales in the neighborhood) are emailed to anyone that opts in to request them. The "sponsoring" realtor
will be able to write a short intro paragraph that will be included in these emails.
NL privacy policy will not be violated. Absolutely no information will be given to either the realtor or Value Check."
If you are curious ?– give it a try.
LOST Block Watch Sign
By Paul Simpson
As you may have noticed, one of the main entrances to our neighborhood has lost its Neighborhood Watch sign. The entrance, Alma School & Pampa is frequently used by residents and guests alike, so having a sign there is a great deterrent to any unsavory characters that may wish ill upon us.
The sign was lost because there is no Block Watch captain on Pampa/Wycliff, therefore, there have been no meetings.
Block Watch requires residents to meet, but these meetings can take place at our neighborhood's regularly scheduled events, such as: Easter Egg Hunt, New Year's Eve Parties, Luminary Night, and the Santa Toy Drive, to name a few. As long as there is a captain to collect signatures from the residents, that sign-in sheet can be submitted as proof of a Block Watch meeting, and the signs can be replaced once that street is "active" again.
If there is anyone who lives on the Pampa/Wycliff curve that is willing to step up and be the Block Watch captain for that block, please contact Alma Jones for information. This is a great way to become involved in our neighborhood and to help keep it safe, and a "Spirit of Mesa" award winner in the years to come.
Neighborhood
Notes
Our newest Ambassadors for Osage are
Nicole and Gerald Bakke. They are new to our neighborhood and after reading the last newsletter, decided to get involved. They have one daughter and a son ?“on-the-way?” who may be here by the time this is printed.
The MM Ambassadors
And what you should know:
Our Ambassadors are not just called Ambassadors ?… they are your volunteers who make things happen in Marlborough. They keep a close eye on homes in their area that are on the market ?… then pick up a Welcome Basket to deliver when a new neighbor moves in. They perform and invaluable service to all of us who live in MM. Many of these same people also deliver the newsletter to your door ?… run the Easter and Christmas events and ?… anything else needed.
Some people have yet to see actual Welcome Baskets that our Ambassadors take to the new homeowners and renters in MM. Donated items for that Welcome Basket come from a very large number of people within our community who own businesses, our surrounding businesses outside MM, plus various City offices. I refrain from mentioning all of them for fear of leaving someone out.
At a recent meeting, we solidified streets and areas that each would be responsible for ?– always keeping in mind ?“safety first?”. No one person should ever go alone to deliver these baskets.
There are many positives in having this type of program. We are able to not only welcome a new neighbor and provide contacts within our neighborhood of events and the people who plan them ?– we can get their name, phone and email so that when something happens, they are notified immediately.
This proved itself well in the recent sex offender problem. We were able to get the word out to all residents who are on our email list. Other neighborhoods, such as the one across Extension had no knowledge of this individual ?– and he was living on their street! It is hard to put a price on this kind of communication ?– and it is free!
NOTE: If you have signed up to receive our Neighborhood Email ?– and are not receiving them ?– please check your settings. Sandy and I are getting several AOL, a few msn and others back. Also ?– check the website frequently. Even if you are not on the email list ?– it will be posted there.
www.neighborhoodlink.com/mesa/marlborough
MM CLASSIFIEDS
40 BOYD?’S BEARS (resins). Great for Christmas $10 to $25 each. Call 480-831-2544.
13-YEAR-OLD seeking to earn some Christmas money! I am too young for a part time job. If you have jobs around the yard like raking, sweeping, pool sweeping, car washing, lawn mowing, etc., that you need done, PLEASE call me! Sam Larsen (Osage Ave.) 480-831-5103.
2004 YAMAHA, 1100 VSTAR Classic, Cobra pipes, Mustang touring seats and leather saddle bags. It Only has 850 mi. $7,500. Bruce Huntsman 480-897-8443 or 480-221-1331. Can be seen at 906 W Pecos Av.
FOR SALE: Power Macintosh 9600/350 with 17in Hitachi RasterOps Monitor / Mac OS 9.2.1 /
192MB RAM / 4GB HD / Zip100 internal
Floppy 1.4MB internal / 6 PCI slots (one has a 2 port USB card) / Extended keyboard / LaCie USB-CD burner external / Zip250 SCSI external / Microsoft Office 98 / Adobe PhotoShop 3.0 / Lots of other software / A rock solid comp-uter for web surfing or would make a great server or back up system. $350. joe_d@cableaz.com or 480-820-3293.
LIFECYCLE 5500 exercise bike. This bike is an older model of the home brand of the commercial model used in gyms worldwide. Must be seen. Why spend $400-$800 for a department store brand cycle. This is the real Lifecycle with their patented exercise programs. Self powered, does not need external power. $250. 480-820-3293 or
joe_d@cableaz.com
FLEET Prices on All Vehicles. Like the big companies, now you can get discounted fleet prices on new and pre-owned vehicles at Tempe Toyota. You must ask for me, Dale Ballard (Fleet Manager), and make an appointment to get these prices. Let me know you are a resident of MM. I've lived in Marlborough for over 20 yrs. Tempe Toyota (Elliot & I-10 in Tempe Autoplex).
Store: 480-598-0000; cell: 480-430-1692
CUSTOM Repaint Specialists, (O) 602.253.1154
(Cell) 602.622.0227. Owner, Toni Gotschika
Since 1983. Interior and Exterior Painting
Licensed.Bonded.Insured. Also: Drywall repair and texturing. Acoustic ceiling removal. Custom cabinet and door refinishing Small and large projects- and Paint maintenance. Specialized in colorizing- Toni Gotschika. Included in all secured schedules. "Spruce up for the holidays"
ATTORNEY, Robert K. Gundacker, criminal and family law. Phone: (602) 725-8432. Office located at Guadalupe Rd and 101.
WANTED: Used Tent Camper (good shape).
Contact John 480-636-7499.
1986 YAMAHA upright piano in good condition.
Asking $1800. Phone: 820 - 1078
e-mail: cgregory9@cox.net
SERVICES OFFERED: Hand Painted Wall Murals. Are you tired of those plain block walls in your back yard, or have a wall in your house that you don't no what to do with? Let us transform them into a work of art for you. If you are interested in what we do and you would like more information you can contact us by E-mail at CnM_Murals@cox.net we would be glad to email you some pictures of our work, or you can phone me (Michelle) at (480)345-7228. I have been a Marlborough resident for 16 years and have murals on two of my block walls if you would like to come and take a look.
PIANO lessons for beginner students to lower intermediate. $15 per hr./$10 per ?½ hour. Contact Syna Daudfar at 480-491-0454 on Plata.
CHRISTMAS stocking stuffers available. Massage gift certificates. Mention that you saw this ad and receive a 20% discount off regular prices of tanning, UV free air brushing, body wraps or massage. Merry Christmas to all from Bonnie and Danielle, 480-838-4646.
Mesan dies after
fight at party
Nov 7, 2004
By Kristina Davis, Tribune
A 20-year-old man died after he was beaten early Saturday at a Mesa house party, police said. Omar Phililpando of Mesa died at a hospital after police received reports at 1 a.m. that a man was unconscious from a fight, said Mesa Detective Tim Gaffney.
Four Mesa teenagers were arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault:
Nafetalai Ika, 19;
Kuea Foleti, 18;
Osaiasi Foleti, 19;
and a 14-year-old boy.
Investigators are waiting for the medical examiner to determine the cause of death before considering additional charges.
Police said several of the 18-to 20-year-olds at the party, at 1007 W. Portobello Ave., were drinking, including the victim.
Partygoers told police that Phililpando had been in a fight with another person earlier that night.
He then got into an argument with several people, and the fatal fight ensued.
When officers arrived on the scene, several people scattered from the area. Investigators said they were searching for other people at the party to interview.
Park Meeting Draws
Over 150 Residents
By Nancy Borg
On Monday, November 15, 2004 over 150 Marlborough Mesa Residents met with the Mesa Police Department and other City Officials to discuss the murder that occurred on Portobello Avenue. The following is a brief summation of what was reported by the police department:
According to the Police Officers in attendance, the evening of Nov. 5th began as a birthday party with parents and nine invited guests of a teenager. At 10:30 p.m. the parents left the residence to attend another party. After the parents left ?– the party grew in number and alcohol began being consumed by the party goers.
One of the people attending the party was a young man from the Salt River Indian Reservation who was 20 years old. He was intoxicated and started a fight. This fight was calmed quickly, but the 20 year old stayed at the party. He was abusive to others in attendance. A complaint was made to four cousins of the teenager who lives at the residence. These cousins had come from their home at Mesa Dr. and U.S. 60 (well outside of our neighborhood) and had become self-appointed bouncers.
The cousins ranged in age of 19 to 14 years old. They allegedly began to fight with the 20 year old individual and finally beat him to death. This occurred at approximately 1:15 a.m. The four accused suspects then left the murder scene. They were arrested on November 6, 2004 for the homicide and have been recently charged with 2nd degree murder. Although underage drinking was apparent, and disturbing the peace was evident, no other arrests were made.
Residents attending the November 15th meeting expressed concern about the telephone calls to the police department regarding the party at approximately 12:15 a.m. that came to no fruition. The police claimed not to have record of that call.
Residents throughout Marlborough Mesa expressed concerns about some rental properties in the neighborhood that possible illegal activity is occurring and how to help see the end of the activity. The police department stated that the following steps should be taken if you suspect illegal activity or want to report a nuisance property in the neighborhood.
1) Call the police to report the problem. If it is an emergency call 911. If it is not an emergency contact the police on the non-emergency telephone number at 480-644-2211. If you are calling regarding a party and notice minors drinking please report this during the telephone conversation. Give the police the specific address of the nuisance property. (Reports that minors are drinking alcohol will have a quicker response to a nuisance party.)
2) Inform the police that you are a victim of this nuisance, if in fact you are. Give the police your telephone number and address. Request that they contact you after they have been to the property. Ask any of your neighbors who feel that they are victims of the incident to make a report to the police along with you.
3) If a property is continually a nuisance, or you believe that illegal activity is occurring at a property, contact C.A.T. (Community Action Team) Officer Randie Beaird 480-644-5634 or e-mail him at Randie.Beaird@cityofmesa.org.
4) Keep a log of each time you contact the police department regarding a nuisance property.
5) After a number of calls regarding a nuisance property, request that the police file a Nuisance Abatement against the owner of the property.
If you are concerned about a nuisance property you may also take civil action against the owner of a property.
Many Marlborough Mesa Residents in attendance at the November 15th meeting expressed concern that there is a lack of communication within the police department and also with residents who make complaints. Make sure that you keep a complete log along with other neighbors who are filing complaints. Also, report the problem to your block watch leader so that regular meetings on the street may be scheduled to discuss the nuisance property and actions being taken by the Police Department and Neighbors.
In closing, it was explained by a resident of Marlborough Mesa to the Mesa Authorities that our neighborhood is not a Homeowners Association. The attendance of such a large number of people at the meeting should be strong enough support for the police to make a much larger presence in the upcoming days and weeks to encourage law breakers to seek other areas to live. Neighbors will be taking the steps noted in this article when dealing with nuisance properties, and the police have pledged their support in securing our neighborhood in the future.
Our goal as neighbors is to see that no other innocent life is lost in our community. In addition, we pledge that illegal activity will not be tolerated. Residents creating a nuisance will be reported on a consistent basis. We will continue to keep our neighborhood safe for our children. Our residents will not live in fear of retaliation of residents who are conducting illegal activity or residents who live at nuisance properties. Marlborough Mesa will continue to be a neighborhood that others will seek to live in harmony and peace with each other.
More
Meeting
Minutes
HOMICIDE AT:
1007 W. PORTOBELLO
Nov. 6, 2004:
Started out as a birthday party with 9 people (teens) invited. In the early part of the evening there was no alcohol present. Parents left at 10:30 pm to go to another party. After that many people came to the house. There were possibly 30-40 people there, and at this point ?– a lot of alcohol.
One neighbor stated that the people arriving in the cars were not just teenagers but older people. The 20-yr-old victim (who was not one of the original 9 invited to the party) was very drunk and got into a fight earlier, which then ended.
Witnesses at the party said the 20-yr-old continued to incite people at the party, and then was ?“dealt with?” by 4 kids (all cousins) who were self-appointed bouncers for the party. One punched him, and then all four proceeded to kick and stomp him until he was unresponsive and barely breathing. Witnesses said some at the party tried to intervene but the 4 bouncers wouldn?’t let up. The police received a 911 call at 1:15 am Nov. 7 and arrived at the house within 5 minutes. The victim died by the time he went to the hospital. The 4 kids had left by the time the police arrived, but were later found and arrested at a house near Mesa Drive and US 60.
A neighbor stated he called the police at 12:15 am, waited for half an hour to see if a cop came by, and then went to bed. He doesn?’t know if anyone came by. The police showed no record of this call. (Note: see the article ?“Apology?” ?– the police did indeed find the missing call.)
Neighbors report that loud, huge parties are common at this address, and many stated they have called the police before regarding this address. They also state that there is a lot of traffic especially after 4 pm and the people will only stay 15-30 minutes. Often the cars that arrive are very expensive, and some are from out of state.
1066 W. PECOS
This home has also had a large amount of suspicious activity. Many neighbors report that the cars/traffic will go directly from one house to the other (1066 Pecos & 1007 Portobello)
Both of these homes are owned by the same landlord. A few neighbors stated they had contacted the landlord with complaints about these houses.
POLICE:
The police stated they compiled all the calls for service for our area, and did not find any calls for either of these addresses, despite the fact that numerous neighbors stated they have called the police on many different occasions for both of these homes.
What should we do? Police suggest:
* Call 911 for any emergency
* Call the regular police number for any suspicious activity
* Give exact address of the incident
* Give as much information as possible
* Leave your name, number & address if you are willing
* In order for the police to be able to take much action at the scene, they need to have a ?“victim?” - someone who has been affected/hurt by the activity. (So if there is a loud party, the caller needs to report that it?’s keeping them up, the windows are rattling, etc.) The ?“victim?” needs to be willing to prosecute if it goes to court.
* The call is prioritized according to the information given: a ?“loud party?” isn?’t as high of a priority as ?“minors drinking?”. Be specific when you call the police.
* Call the CAT (Community Action Team) if you see a pattern of problems at a residence. They look for patterns, do surveillance, etc.
* The CAT team has a link on the City of Mesa website which includes all their names & numbers. Justin Corvello was present: His number is 644-2614 (The City?’s website is linked to our MM website)
* If you know of or suspect drug activity, call the Narcotics Hotline.
CALL THE POLICE ON ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY. CALL THE CAT TEAM IF YOU NOTICE A PATTERN.
KEEP RECORDS:
* Write down date/time that you call the police and the officer you speak with. Write down address of house where the incident is happening.
* Write down license plates of cars that are supposed to be there, and cars that are not. Report these to the CAT team.
LANDLORDS:
The police can eventually take action against the landlord if there is enough of a pattern of problems.
The Maricopa.gov website in the Assessor section, parcel search, (www.maricopa.gov/Assessor/ParcelApplication/Default.aspx) will tell you the name and address of an owner (landlord) if you put in the address.
The City of Mesa can work with you and a landlord to get rid of problem renters.
OTHER AREAS OF CONCERN:
One neighbor reports that there is still someone ?“exposing?” himself in our neighborhood. She described him as dressed in a fake ?“pregnancy?” outfit, black blazer, and black ?“witchy?” hat.
Apology
I received a call from Detective Tim Gaffney with regards to the gentleman who made the initial call shortly after midnight to police the night of the homicide.
At the neighborhood meeting, police had no knowledge of that call. The detective let me know that the call had been cross-referenced over to the actual homicide case; therefore, this is why they had no knowledge of it at the meeting.
He was sincerely apologetic to all neighbors but most important to the gentleman who actually made that call.
Also from Det. TIM GAFFNEY:
?“I was asked by a resident to describe when Deadly Force can be used and when Non-Deadly Force can be used by a citizen. This is a very complicated subject. Use of force is generally illegal and is allowed only within very narrow limits. Citizens should also realize that there are a number of other legal risks involved in their decision to use force.
Deadly Force is force that is likely to cause death or serious physical injury; for example, use of gun, knife or baseball bat.
Non-Deadly Force is described as anything less; than deadly force for example, punching or shoving someone.
There are four situations that the use of force against another person is ?“legally justified,?” by Arizona Law and each has specific guidelines that must be met to avoid criminal liability:
Self Defense,
Defense of another person
Prevention of certain crimes,
Law Enforcement
The decision to use deadly force is particularly grave and should be weighed carefully, preferably before a citizen decides to arm themselves.
I was asked to address whether a citizen needs to leave a name and phone number when calling the police to report an incident. The answer is no. Although it is helpful to have that information in case we need to re-contact them for additional information. If the citizen is fearful of retaliation, then they can ask to be called by the officer instead of having the officer come to their home.
If a citizen wants to actually file a complaint and have a report taken, you do have to give your information.?”
Important Phone Numbers
By Linda Murphy
Here are some important phone numbers that were printed in previous newsletters. We found in Monday night?’s meeting that many people did not have the information any longer. Please cut this out and put it on your refrigerator for future reference.
Mesa Police, Non-Emergency 644-2211
Contact with issues like loud parties, abandon vehicles on the street or suspicious actives.
CAT Officer, Randie Beaird 644-5634
Contact when you have an on going issue that is not being resolved through the non-emergency number.
Code Compliance, Amelia Alvarado 644-2949
Contact with issues about the maintenance and upkeep of private property. This includes RV?’s, inoperable vehicles and boats.
Neighborhood Outreach, Mike Renshaw 644-4706
Contact when you don?’t know whom to contact.
Streetlight Hotline 644-3191
If residents notice a streetlight that is out they can call 24 hours a day (it's a recorded message) and let them know the address that the light is closest to.
Narcotics Hotline 644-6272
Report drug activity in the neighborhood.
Teleserve 644-2324
Front desk of the Mesa Police Department. When in doubt on who to call in the department ?– they can transfer you to the appropriate contact.
