Marlborough Mesa

I attended the gathering at Riverview Park last night, which many of the TV stations and newspapers covered. The purpose of the meeting was for the Riverview neighborhood (approx. Dobson and 8th st.) to organize and voice their concern about the City and the Tourism and Sports Authority's plan to tear up their park and golf course in order to site the stadium. The kicker is that the proposed location for the actual stadium will be on the Hurley property to the east of the park, and that the park and the golf course will bulldozed for a parking lot! Not only are they upset that their neighborhood ''jewel'' will be taken from them, but they, like me, also feel deceived that an initiative that would enable soccer fields to be built will cause the destruction of their already existing ballfields!
What they are asking for is help from their surrounding neighbors to help stand against this devestating plan. I have volunteered to help circulate petitions and would appreciate it if the fine folks of Marlborough Mesa would sign them. All I'm asking for is a signature. If you would like to help the group, I will post some contact information at a later date.
In the past, we have been quick to help our neighbors. Let's do what we can for Riverview and show them what neighborhood support is all about.
PLease contact me if you would be willing to sign a petition, 456-5425 or e-mail at kcbiesty@hotmail.com.
Thanks,
Kevin

By Kevin Biesty

Neighborhood Needs Help

I'm totally against the proposed Cardinals Stadium because of the same reasons the residents living near Bank One Ballpark, i.e., potential problems like fans urinating in the streets, tossing beer and liquor bottles in neighbors front yards, throwing food wrappers in the streets, and illegally blocking driveways. Not to mention, heavy traffic in our neighborhoods, and so on. We are talking about bumper-to bumper traffic trying to fine parking, etc. Our neighbors should not have to write letters to Mayor Keno Hawker and/or talk to Councilman Dennis Kavanaugh or whoever your Councilman/Woman is. As I understand it, Mayor Hawker view the stadium as simply a business deal. Well, business deal or not, in my view, we don't want or need it in our neighborhood. Some neighborhood families could/may add to the problem by allowing Cardinals fans to park on their property with the help of homemade signs and flags, selling parking spots for a fee($5-$15 or less). Not to mention having special-use permits, if the city requires them to operate. In other words, our streets becoming parking lots instead of just being ''streets''. The City of Mesa owes it to its citizens to send a clear and loud message that it will not tolerate outsiders to disrespect or disrupt our neighborhoods because it's not theirs. Mesa Police Officers should respond to complaints, ticket violators, and beef up security, as appropriate.

Having said all that, I'm willing to sign a petition supporting Riverview neighborhood in its efforts. Thank you!!

Thanks Jimmy!

You got it Jimmy. There are 101 reasons why I oppose the stadium site an the whole corrupt process...but that said thanks for agreeing to sign a petition. I have been in touch with S.A.S.S (Stand Against the Stadium Site) and will let you know when the petitions are available.
It would also be helpful if you would contact the Mayor and City Council to let them know how you feel. It also would'nt hurt to contact our legislators: Sen. Lori Daniels (ldaniels@azleg.state.az.us), Rep. John Huppenthal (jhuppent@azleg.state.az.us), and Rep. Bob Robson (brobson@azleg.state.az.us). Our neighbors to the west really do appreciate all we can do to stand with them.

By Kevin Biesty

Yes!

Kevin,
You can count on Jim and myself. There have been too many BIG problems to speak of from the very beginning -- and it is not getting any better. I have not followed the ENTIRE stadium issue -- it's been too overwhelming, but from what I recall, Bidwell missed the boat when he turned down John F. Long. Long offered many acres for FREE and enough to not disturb ANY neighborhoods. Greed got in the way.

Jim and I were just talking about what Jimmie said about the front yards being parking lots, etc. etc and how sad it would be to see our neighbors in Mesa to the north of us have this happen to them.

To bring it closer to home - if the stadium were being built across Alma School and Guadalupe, what would WE do?

If the Cardinals and/or Mesa want to build a stadium, it needs to be AWAY from neighborhoods -- not IN them. Many neighborhoods work hard in trying to keep up the appearance of HOME -- let's not take away what they have accomplished.