At the time of its incorporation in 1883, not many people lived in Mesa, AZ. Today housing for 400,000 people can be found in Mesa, AZ. All of those people expect a well-functioning government. They also expect clean streets and alleys. Those two expectations relate to the residents’ quality of life.
Prior to August of 2007 there was a problem with the alleys in Mesa, AZ. Residents complained about the illegal dumping in the alleys. They complained about vandalism in the alleys. Some residents wanted to put gates on the alleys. Those residents faced one major obstacle.
Prior to August of 2007, the City of Mesa slapped a $350 fee on any City resident who “abandoned” an alley. Residents did not want to pay that fee. In August of 2007 the City Council voted to eliminate that fee.
That vote did not lead to the immediate gating of all the alleys in Mesa, AZ. Any resident who wanted to put a gate in an alley still needed to meet two important criteria. He or she had to obtain signatures of consent from 100% of the neighbors. He or she also had to agree to come up with the money for the desired gate.
A statement made by a member of the Mesa City government suggested the City’s readiness to satisfy residents of the Mesa, Arizona homes. That City employee said, “We have a great staff of purchasing professionals in the Procurement Department, as well as throughout the City.” That statement was made following the presentation of an award.
In August of 2007, the City of Mesa won the Achievement of Excellence Award. That Award recognized the City’s ability to maintain a superbly-organized City government. The City’s organization had aided the procurement of reasonably-priced City equipment. The City’s organization had helped to insure the perpetuation of low City taxes.
Travelers in Mesa, AZ find that the City houses some interesting tourist attractions. The Mesa Arts Center is the largest arts facility in the State of Arizona. In March, visitors to Mesa can watch members of the Chicago Cubs take part in their spring training.
Mesa, AZ is just 15 miles east of the Phoenix, Arizona. The famous Grand Canyon is not far from Mesa, Arizona. Mesa has become the third largest city in Arizona.
Between 1990 and 2000, the population of Mesa, Arizona increased in size by 37%. The addition of all those families increased the number of students in Mesa’s schools. In August of 2007 one of the City’s elementary schools had an additional first grade class and a new all-day kindergarten class.
On the first day of school, parents and teachers gathered in the schoolyard. They stood behind a special rope barrier. They wanted to welcome the youngest and newest students in Mesa, Arizona.