Just back from the debate

[Chunk]

I have to say, todays debate was great.  The council members did a good job.  Bridger was excellent, Leon had  a lot of good ideas, and even Marvin wasnt terrible.  I could see everything from experience and enthusiasm to ... well defelction in some cases.

The mayor portion was my main focus, and yes I already knew who my vote was for, but this totally solidifed it.

Carl asked a question of Christian: "What three budget items would you reduce or cut to balance the budget?"  Christian answered with an informative discourse on "zero based budgets" that you would hear from any investment adivser.

Christian asked if Carl attends the economic development meetings.  Carl responded that he did not because his presence wasnt required there, and would be of little benefit to him or the businesses.

One of the audience asked "With gas prices approaching 4 dollars a gallon and most people working in the valley, how would you make Maricopa a viable place to live?"

Carls response was that they would offset tax revenue against eco-impact fees, make a small business ombudsman to assist business owners with dealing with the city and a few other ideas I cant remember right now.

Christian replied that they should conver the police force to natural gas powered vehicles...

All in all I saw what I already knew.  Did anyone else go?

[RayFu]

By chance would this be on Maricopa 6 (Orbitel) like many of the council meetings are?

[Chunk]

By chance would this be on Maricopa 6 (Orbitel) like many of the council meetings are?

Yes I will get times from Jen

[Chunk]

[RayFu]

[Fat Girl]

I went....Bridger's answers were impressive....Leon's were really well thought out and heartfelt...Marvin, well.....he was ummmm...perhaps not in the same league...his answers wanderred a bit.


The mayoral part was pretty telling. Watch it when it is broadcast...I am not exagerating

Carl specifically answered each question. He gave plans initiatives and details.

Price, not so much....over. and over he trotted out the same chesnut of adding numbers and blah blah....he spoke of "nebulous plans" but his answers were the same nebulous accounting over and over...with one exception....when asked: with gas prices nearing $5,and many residents commuting...what solutions can you offer those residents to help them continue to make Maricopa a home?..

His answer was ridiculous. It was to replace the city fleet vehicles with natural gas cars like his as they are replaced.....

Seriously?  WTF....how does that help a commuter cope? Do I get a new natural gas car?.....

[mia]

What was the deal with Rosalin Sanhadja was she a no show.  I couldn't make it,  watching the kids.

[Fat Girl]

What was the deal with Rosalin Sanhadja was she a no show.  I couldn't make it,  watching the kids.

She was having an emergency root canal....her statement....which amounted to "vote for me...I have knowledge and education...so vote for me" was read by a former council member....

[Desert Dweller]

Natural gas right now is around $2.85 per gallon.  It can probably be had for less if it were bought in bulk.  There are only 5 CNG stations in the Phoenix metro area, so it would mean the city would have to provide their own tanks and dispensing facility.  This could yield some savings way out in the future provided gas stays where it is or increases.

I say way out in the future because the cost of converting city vehicles plus installing the storage/dispensing facilities would have to be considered.

I thought proposals like this came from city staff, and then went to the city manager for proposal to the council, not the other way around.

[Desert Dweller]

Natural gas right now is around $2.85 per gallon.  It can probably be had for less if it were bought in bulk.  There are only 5 CNG stations in the Phoenix metro area, so it would mean the city would have to provide their own tanks and dispensing facility.  This could yield some savings way out in the future provided gas stays where it is or increases.

I say way out in the future because the cost of converting city vehicles plus installing the storage/dispensing facilities would have to be considered.

I thought proposals like this came from city staff, and then went to the city manager for proposal to the council, not the other way around.

She hasn't been a viable candidate for some time.

[theotheramy]

SO interested to watch it!

[Fat Girl]

It fun to take our 9 year old to see it....we are teaching her to vote....and to make informed decisions.


On another note...Mr. price also made a statement against charter schools...saying more charter schools decimate the MUSD budget...

[Turkey Lurkey]

It fun to take our 9 year old to see it....we are teaching her to vote....and to make informed decisions.


On another note...Mr. price also made a statement against charter schools...saying more charter schools decimate the MUSD budget...

Wrong. That was Councilman Brown.

[Desert Dweller]

Charter schools do a number on the budget - no argument there.  So do parochial schools, although they aren't quite so prolific.  So does home schooling.  People do have a choice in this country as to how and where they educate their children - and I hope we always have that choice.

Part of the problem is that the administrative staff to teacher/student ratio is just too damn high.  There are too many school districts - each one with their own staff of administrators.  There are 15 counties in Arizona and over two hundred school districts.  We need to combine school districts and go to a more unified system.  There would be an immediate reward in terms of dollars going directly to education and less money to administration, insurance, overhead, etc.  

As far as attrition away from MUSD, there is only one way to handle that:  make the district so awesome that people want to send their kids there.  You do that by promoting achievement and by emphasizing accomplishment.  I see high schools that are nothing more than a store front.  Maybe the curricula is what the state specifies but there just seems to be so much of the high school experience that's missed out on by these students.

[mallardisme]

It was a great forum for the candidates.

I am working on editing shots.

I was pretty proud of this one.

At the end of the day, each person that is involved in this process does want the best for Maricopa. That was evident throughout today's event.