I’ve known Mesa vice mayor Claudia Walters for several years, and though I’ve liked her as a person, I had doubts that she had the qualities to be the next mayor of a city 460,000.
I didn’t think she had that vision thing nor did I think she had the command presence–what some call gravitas–necessary to lead what has become a very big city.
She changed all that in a visit with our editorial board. As long as I’ve known her she’s had a command of the detail of city government, but could she lead? and where? and what is the message?
More forcefully than the other two candidates who also visited us, she presented a clear message built around the idea that Mesa has come a long way and has a lot going for it. There was no trace of an inferiority complex and no apologies for not being Scottsdale or Tempe or other East Valley cities that enjoy reputations for job growth, higher income residents and a vibrant social scene.
She also drew a distinction that I had not heard articulated: Mesa should be thought of as a big city like Phoenix. Big cities are not niche cities.
They have their high ends and their low ends. They are diverse and that diversity contributes to their strength. They have their failures and their successes. They have character.
Above all you can’t discount them because they have the capacity to affect all those around them. Think Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, for instance.
A leading Phoenix official once said, when he was in charge of that city’s development efforts, he used to worry that someday the city of Mesa would wake up and become a formidable rival.
Well, it has woken up.
Read more on this in my column in the Tribune on Wednesday on the Opinion 2 page.
What you failed to mention Mr. Ripley, is the number one reason I will not vote for Ms. Walters. The city, with her on the council, is in huge financial disarray and while all of these things are great, Mesa still has not lived up to its potential. You also fail to mention things like MD Helicopters and the growing voice from the business community about what a nightmare Mesa has become to work with. While I appreciate your opinion, you represent my hometown newspaper and as a journalist I think you didn’t totally check your facts.
Unfortunately Mr. Ripley, it’s not as rosy as you paint it. Ms Walters along with Mr. Griswold have been part of the worst economic situation Mesa could be in. You can’t be part of the problem and expect to be part of the solution.
I am familiar with Ms. Walter through organizational ties. She is a vibrant and charming person. Claudia Walters has work tirelessly for Mesa over the years. Her one fault is - she has been a part of the worse governing committee in Mesa’s history. While she is only one vote on the council she is on the council that has put us into this mess.
I find it interesting that no member of the council will mention their political affiliation. Mesa has been very conservative in its approach to progress. Possibly a more progressive thought might be a bit more in need since the conservative method has left us with a starving tax base where surrounding cities have made far more innovative progress.
As one with a conservative view point I see “tight” more the descriptive manner in Mesa. It is about time we are available to industry that sees the Valley as fertile land among the barren fields of opportunity. Mesa cannot hold the match to the candle of Tempe or Gilbert in this arena. Why?
As Executive Editor, I believe you have been blinded possibly by the manner in which Mesa conducts business. Is Gilbert in the same financial position as Mesa? How about Tempe? Mr. Ripley, you most of all should be documenting the advances the City of Mesa has made in comparison to the surrounding communities. You need also to point out its failures. Ms. Walters has done the best she may be able to do on the current plane. Given the opportunity to be the leader of this council she might be able to press more constructive measures to align us with our neighbors. With the outstanding leadership of our Superintendent of Schools our school system is one of distinction. I, for one would like to see my city, similarly endowed. Where were you during the times we were displaying incompetence and stupidity? Why were you not questioning the expenditures and proposals that put us into this condition? You rise to support a candidate that is part of the problem. Why may I ask would you want to perpetuate this condition?
Mesa Guy has pointed out to you deficiencies. I do not see any response to these assertions. Must I and everyone else conclude you do not care what the residents of this city feel? Though we are few in response you choose to ignore the replies BUT you use the power of the Press to offer your support for a political candidate. Is that not a misuse of that given authority?
Mesa Guy
It saddens my heart to see the Executive Editor has felt it not worth is efforts to respond to your statements. He apparently feels he can use his position to stir the electorate but need not be concern with one who so pointedly noted a short coming.
We – the little people of this great nation are being ignored by our elected officials and they in turn are being shown prominent support. Our Constitutional Rights are being taken away in the name of terrorist prevention and even our local concerns are being ignored by the very media that is quickly losing its mandate.
I seriously doubt there will be any response to these statements. Why would they? It’s in the bag.
Mesa, which is going to cut its bus services down to a few “transportation corridors”, rivals Phoenix? Good lord, you’ve got to be kidding. We have suffered under leaders who are too craven to levy marginal taxes against people who own $700,000 lake houses and boats. Claudia Walters is one of them. I wish we had a real choice on March 11.
I’m an avid watcher of the Mesa City council meetings (I’m a loser) and of all the members Claudia seems to possess the most common sense. My biggest disappointment in her is the failure to have the cajones to just enforce the necessary taxes to keep the city afloat. Putting that up to the vote only shows they don’t have the guts to either vote for or against it. Our other choices for mayor seem even worse. We have council member Griswold and Smith that seems to think all Mesa’s problems are due to illegal immigrants. I will vote for Claudia, I think she has a good heart but unless we can get the other council members out I don’t think Mesa has a chance.