Last Minute Notes on the Mayor Race Part II - Debates

I've been trying to watch this debate for a while now.  I literally waited two hours for it to buffer.  Just as I was going to give up and watch something else, it started, and now I've gotta watch it.  It doesn't pause and restart well - I know I've tried in the past.  Here are my notes:

The first question is about the only proposition on the ballot, which is a really small-bore issue.  If only two people are running for one open office or for

• Kolby Granville takes the time to explain it and supports it to save Tempe money.
• Mitchell opposes it because if the Mayor's race requires a run-off you have to have a run-off anyway.
• Monti supports it
• Foreman supports it to save money.

Granville's Opening Statement:
He's lived in Tempe 20+ years.  Graduate from McClintock High.  A liveable city is a city where you can afford to live.   Tempe is a great place to live.  Becasue of the existing council, but becasue of decisions made years ago - our parks and services.  We are at a cross roads right now.    We have to make hard choices between a city where kids choose to move into and one where we need to balance the budget and entice companies to move here.

Mitchell's Opening Statement:
He wants to give back to the community. We are creator of jobs, we support the arts.  We have a great city to live in - an All-American city.  Invest in our neighborhoods.  Involved in community centers in  North Tempe and in West Tempe.

Monti's Opening Statement:
First time candidate outside of the political system.  Law degree in USDS.  Two step kids, four kids.  He was called to service after 18 years slinging steaks.  He was asked to run to succeed Hugh Halman.  He has served 100,000 customers and 100 employers.  Something new and different, a fresh perspective.  He was, at first, reluctant, but he felt honored.  He's now convinced he has what it takes.  Tempe has the university of 60,000 people.  We have disadvnatages - a crushing recession.  Innovation to save money, value what we have and bring new thoughts to Tempe.

Dick Foremon's Opening Statement
This is not just about affordability, it's about investment.  He's an investor.  He's been 30 years in Tempe and has spent 90 years of service.  Great Hearts Academy.  Six bond elections.  Four years in Tempe arts commission.  ASU alumni board.  Community Columnist for the Republic, etc., etc.

He's committed to the community.  He has spent his entire adult life serving in Tempe.

Tempe Air Traffic
Keep planes over the river bed and not over homes in Tempe.  Phoenix disagrees with this procedure.  How can we reach an agreement with Phoenix and protect Tempe homes, but we need a strong, viable aviation infrastructure.

Mitchell:  This is a legally enforceable agreement.  Mitchell has a great relationship with Phoenix mayor and council to make sure they follow the agreement.  He grew up here and he knows the issue surrounding the airport.
Monti:  This is a big issue for him. He remembers having to deal with this when calling his dad at teh restaurant.  They are supposed to be hitting that gateway on Price Road, but the planes wander over downtown Tempe.  Regionalism is important.  Monti will stand up and fight for Tempe.  We will not be a lapdog for Phoenix.  There is great opportunity with the airport.  He respects the industry.  Cut the cards and keep them honest.
Foreman:  Met with the principals who negotiated this agreement way back.  What steps to take for compliance.  Tempe loses Phoenix wins.   What can we do in Tempe to encourage Phoenix to use newer technology planes that are much quieter.  We would see a new improvement.  Military planes fly two at a time and create a lot of noise.  We have to engage on a stronger position and we have to change these definitions.
Granville:  Tempe references a corridor.  Phoenix references a gate.  Phoenix's definition, 98% meet the gate.  Tempe's definition, 30% meets the definition.  He's been to the aviation comission as a concerned citizen.  Tempe is in a week bargaining position because the Tempe and the Phoenix mayor didn't get a long.  They couldn't work it out.  The issue moving forward?  From a council standpoint - there is no big stick.  The reason that nothing changes is there is no big stick.  Give and take to a common definition or decide in court.  Nobody wants to say it.

Citizens United Decision:  Are Corporations People?  Resolution from the Tempe City Council?
Monti:  Will not support a resolution to amend the Constitution.  It's a grave, grave thing to ammend the Constitution.  But free speech protects speech no matter whether its an individual or an association of people.  Group has protected speech as well.  Voters will not be swayed by big money.  They can see through it.  The issue is not money, it's transparency and reform.  Is there sufficient reform and transparency.  Disclosure.  Restriction on gifts.  We need to know whose attempting to influence elected officials and how.
Foreman:  Citizens United is a slip and slide of the Constitution.  Can you have free, fare equitable elections and preserve freedom of speech.  Can candidates run without being rich?  Not just corporations, also labor unions.  We want free clean elections.  But this applies to the media.  To the stock holders too.  The best thing to do is to go with the Supreme Court.
Granville:  He is a lawyer!  Supreme Court is not right becasue they are right, they are right becasue they are last.  In 1865, 13th free slaves.  Because of the 13th amendment to free teh slaves has now been interpreted as corporations can be treated as a real person.  LLC as a corporation.  It allows individuals to pull money for a common good and to limit liability when things go wrong.  I'll be corporations is a person when Texas executes one.  Corporations are not people.  They are just not.  If you think money doesn't matter, consider people drink soda becasue of advertisement works.
Mitchell:  He's in favor of strict disclosure laws.  So people know where the money comes from.  He's not in favor of it.

As Tempe Mayor or Tempe Council Member.  Conservation Preserve Overlay over Papago Park.  Preserve Sanoran desert in the Park.  What unique policies to address the concerns of Tempe residents to preserve Papago Park land.

Foreman:   It is indeed possible to execute corporations.  No objections in defining the preserve.  Every single year there has been more degradation to Papago Park.  They gave up on a walk through the park - too much broken glass.  It's because volunteers are prohibited from picking up broken glass because of liability.  There is a great master plan.  Requires multiple jurisdiction to enforce - Indian reservation, Tempe, Scottsdale.  We need to educate to expose our kids to the amenities of Papago park.  Signage.  You don't know when you're in it, you don't know when you've left it.

Granville:  He agrees with Foremen.  He's been to the neighborhood association meetings.  There is only one archery range in Papago Park.  The land was initially deeded by the tribe on the condition it will not be used as development with rare exceptions.  The master plan is in place - it's a hard fought plan.  North Tempe spent a lot of time on that plan.  It's a cohesive plan to move the ball forward.    What's the vision of the park?  We are proud of the desert.  This is not stuff, it's the absence of stuff.  Our vision changes.  We see differently.  Papago park is a central park.  An ammenity. A draw regionally and nationally.

Mitchell:  We had committees with other mayors and councils.  He worked with a bunch of groups to create the Master Plan for Papago Park.  He's on the same page with the North Tempe Neighborhood association.  The park is an asset.  We need to preserve this asset for our community.

Monti:  He loves the park.  Stop the damage that's been done to the park.  Natural plan ordinance - to preserve and save the plants that are there.  More care. Clear brush.  Proper training.  Remove debris.  Proper branding.  Hall of Flame, Houses.  The park is amazing.  1500 acres, 300 are in Tempe.  Go to the schools in south Tempe, to show families to use public transportation to enjoy the amenities at teh park.  Engage at teh park.

What is your vision of Tempe

Granville:  Transparency and neighborhoods.   It is easy to make everyone happy with a growing budget.  We've had to retract money recently - 10% a year.  Where are our priorities?  Neighborhood grants.  Library hours.  We have dropped the ball.

Mitchell:  Tempe is a city of choice.  Largest importer of jobs per capita of every city in the valley.  Attract the right type of businesses to this city.  Neighborhoods are important.  We have strong neighborhood associations in our city.

Monti:  We can continue to grow Tempe to a higher summit.  Greater transparency.  Input is solicited from all.  Wider net cast for people to serve.  Found a new company.  Knowledge community.  Leverage ASU.  We are a good city, take us to great.

Foreman:  Education, Stability and Opportunity.  Traditional as Tempe District 3.  You will not find a better special needs children than in Tempe.  High schools - Pega Pain Academy.  Traditional Schools.  International Bacclerate Program.  ASU - business top 10.  Rio Salado - Internet and job creation.  We are second to none.

What is your Plan to increase the number of accessible renters. 

Mitchell:  In order for residents to invest in your homes, waive permit fees.  Work with affordable housing and units - one on Apache and another on Farmer.  Apache Trails.  We have strict coding enforcement.  We have had challenges with the budget.  Cross train our employees to report violations. 

Monti:  Have you ever met anyone that doesn't love a great neighborhood.  Expand grant programs to make rentals more accessible.  Make a commitment to place a high priority on code enforcement.    Constant gentle pressure on the landlords who let rentals go blighted.

Foreman:  Grants to homeowners have been succesful to a certain level.  They can't overcome 5-6 years of recession.  Many houses have gone to rental ownerships.  How many peopel are not upgrading to support disabled.  We have a large number of renters.  Get serious about looking at health and safety issues.

Granville:  He agrees with Mark.  Lots of work by Mark and Corey to make rentals more accessible.  How do we deal with rentals in general.  He was disapointed with the cutting of code enforcement.   He doesn't want an HOA.   We should be somewhere between weeds in the yard and an over-zealous HOA.  We are too close to the tigers in the weeds.

Grant money to support an indoor farm project

Monti:  He has a soft spot for big ideas.  He'd be interested in seeing what's out there.

Foreman:  In his company, he's helped build and design the largest hydroponics garden in the US.  Provide the power to grow vegetables year around.  Is there sufficient interest to works with neighborhoods to make this possible.

Granville:  He sits right now on the planning and zoning board.  Passed the urban garden amendment.   Only to the benefit of the city for unused land be used.  Would city fund an indoor garden project?  No, not right now.  We have serious funding issues that should take priority over a city funded garden.

Mitchell:  It's a great sense of pride for neighborhood gardens.  There's a lot around Tempe - a community gathering place.  We have other needs right now.  I would not stop looking to help fund community gardens.

State Legislature Interaction with the City of Tempe

Foreman:  Working with the state legislature has become more and more problematic.  The partizenship has grown too severe.  We need to be a good example to them.

Granville:   He agrees with Foreman.  The state legislature is horribly dysfunctional because it's not partizenship.  You're never going to know what party Granville is a part of because it's not relevant to clean elections.  He will work with them and has endorsed by them.

Mitchell:  He has worked for them.  Vice president for the league of cities and towns.  He can work with them.  He will get things done for Tempe and for the state of Arizona.

Monti:  Hard times sharpen contentions over resources.  Form new relationships with a clean slate.  Forgoing bitterness for what has been taken away.  Tempe's zealous advocate.

What are your thoughts on the role of civil discourse

Granville:  We've all been dissapointed with the mayor's race in regards to civil discourse.  We are taking are eye off the ball.  Where do we want to be?  Negative campaigning works.  Elections are decided by 2-3 percentage points.

Mitchell:   It's a shame that the race has gone negative.  He has a proven track record.  Let's have a frank discussion on the issues.

Monti:  When you have a real contest, things get heated.  You have to raise issues and pointed questions.  He signs his name to the things he says.  It's part of politics.  It's a clash of ideas.

Foreman:  I would rather lose a campaign by running correctly.  Independent committees do their thing. 

Taxation for Developers

Mitchell:  Developers continue to improve the quality of life for Tempe.  Revenues of a project go back into the project to recoup development costs - Tempe Marketplace.  Arizona Mills Mall.  Do not write a blank check by the tax payers.

Monti:  Too much race to the bottom.  Cities compete with each other.  We don't want to be played.  Bass Pro store gets a ton of incentives.  We need to be cautious how we use these tools.

Foreman:  He's been in business a long time.  6West found a suitor.  We cannot surrender the tax base for our schools.  We do no harm to our schools.  We do no harm to the general fund.

Granville:   Where do I fit in the political spectrum.  Business A pays taxes - Mom & Pop.  Business B gets tax incentives to moves in.  Business A goes out of business.  Diminishing caps.

What is the current level of unemployment in Tempe?  How will you get people back to work?





Monti:  You can't solve this just within the city.  First Solar's HQ is in Tempe, manufacturing in Mesa.  Tempe has specific strong suits - ASU, transportation network, urban core.





Foreman:  8-10% unemployment.  Training, development, education.  Is there another city in America that trains better?  ASU, Rio Salado =>  career pathways process.  Take a student.  Map out their course of study from day one.  We got to do more of that.

Granville:  8.4 or so %.  Knowledge based economy.  With more degrees, unemployment goes down.  Net importer of jobs.  Look at the kind of jobs that are stable, long-term.  Knowledge based jobs.
Mitchell:  Tempe made good investments to deal with recession. Hayden-Ferry Lakeside is building a third building.  City surrounded by five free-ways.  We are home to Chase, Silicon Valley Bank, Monster.com, etc.


Closing Statements:

Granville:  Months and months into the campaign.  Tough choices.  When you look at the reasons you moved here.  What brought you here initially?  Choices that Tempe has made right?  90+% approval rating.  Citizenship?  The next 5, 10, 20 years, will Tempe get better or worse?  Prioritize our values and plan for our future.

Monti:  His vision for Tempe is bright.  Proprietor of the largest occupied building in Tempe.  Strong sense of origins and roots.  This city is magnificent.  We have to weather the economic times, but things will improve.  Highly educated populous relative to surrounding cities.  Light rail, proximity to the airport, highways.  An engaged populous.  This is all social capital.  Get those resources.  There is more history to be made.

Foreman:   Oldest person up here.  He has a lot of experience.  He has seen it all.  He's an investor.  The average home is 25 years old.  Customer service.  Reach these customers to maintain and preserve these neighborhoods.  Keep schools open.  Make this a better place to live.  This city will only be upfill and renovate.  Invester.  He wants to reach out and gives people a hand up.  Work with people to build consensus.  Use my network and experience to serve us.

Mitchell:  Partner with ASU to continue to work on innovation.   Vital to our recovery.  This is a cit of choice.  Continue to improve.  We have a park on almost every square mile. Invest in our parks and in our neighborhoods.

Hookah Lounge

Sunday I found out through a member of my church that a public hearing was taking place to allow a Hookah lounge to operate across the street from Tempe High School, just down the block from where we live. It's item number 3 on the May 20th agenda.

The letter I wrote to the mayor, Tempe City Council, and those running in tomorrow's election is below (unfortunately I spelled Joel Navarro's name wrong and he didn't get it). Hut Hutson and Julie Jakubek actually responded back, funny since they are actually running tomorrow. Hut, the only incumbent running, promised he would look into it. I hope he does.


Dear esteemed Mayor, Tempe City Council, and those running for City Council:

I am a concerned resident in the city of Tempe in the neighborhood between Mill Avenue and the railroad tracks south of Alameda Dr. Our family has two young children, ages three and five and attend church with families who also live in the surrounding neighborhoods some of whom have children attending Tempe High.

It has come to my attention that the business HB is applying for a permit to operate a Hookah Lounge in the Walgreen's shopping center across the street from Tempe High school. The business also intends to extend operations from 3pm to 2am, opening its business just as the Tempe High School will be releasing its students from classes.

I am concerned because I frequent this shopping center often. The corner restaurant, El Penasco, is a local favorite for our family, and we sometimes walk their to frequent it and other businesses in the plaza.

About four years ago, we were looking to buy a house in the area. We did not want to follow the trend of many of my friends who were buying brand new houses on the outskirts of town. We chose Tempe because we love Tempe. We bought an old house in an old neighborhood because we liked the amenities of the city. However, one of the distinct disadvantages of being in this part of the city for us is the number of tobacco type shops close by. There are three, including this one that we could literally walk to from our house.

Much more important, having such a shop right across the street from a high school is a direct violation of city law. And for them to operate such a shop at 3pm so close to the hours of operation of a high school just violates common sense. I do understand the shop was operating before the city law to ban such establishments was in place, but the law was passed for a reason, and common sense needs to dictate in this case.

I strongly urge all on this list who have the power to limit operations of such establishments to locations not near our schools, and they especially should not be allowed to open as students are walking nearby.

One final note, I am a concerned and informed Tempe resident. I have researched those running for city council this Tuesday and I am planning to vote. I am generally excited at the direction Tempe is currently going, but I definitely want to see neighborhoods like mine looked after to ensure a safe, family friendly environment for all who reside here.

I appreciate your time on this matter.

UPDATE:

I was not able to attend the meeting that happened today at 1:30pm, but I did get an update from Ben Arrendondo, one of the councilman I e-mailed. His staff member called me personally and told me the request was approved and gave me a little more background:

HB, the company in question, opened its establishment in 2006 before the city ordinance was passed.

Local neighborhood residents complained to the city about this establishment being literally across the street from Tempe High school, and as a result of their complaint, they got the city to pass an ordinance prohibiting the sale of tobacco within so many yards of a school.

HB was able to remain open in their current location as long as they only sold tobacco products, not smoke them. Well, they've been smoking before the ordinance and since, and recently found to be in violation. Today they submitted a request to get an allowance for smoking. It was approved because they were able to show they were that type of establishment even before the city ordinance was passed.

The lady who called me was not aware of the change in the time they would be open, but I'm supposed to get a call back tomorrow.

I now have fourteen days to appeal the approval if I'm so inclinded. I'm currently in contact of my neighbors to assess their feelings.

I appreciate the comments in the post about Hookah lounges in general. However, I do feel that repetitive exposure to certain products has an effect on behavior. I think this is why businesses blast commercials at us constantly trying to get us to partake in their product. Its why tobacco companies can no longer advertise on television. Tobacco is an incredibly addictive and harmful substance. High school kids are not mature enough to really make good decisions about tobacco largely. I know many people now addicted to tobacco all because of stupid decisions made in high school.

I do not feel there's anything we can do about the Hookah lounge now, but I'm hoping a compromise decision can be reached. Where they at least are not allowed to open business until 7pm.

Tempe City Council and What I Want Out of My City

This post is all about the upcoming run-off election for the Tempe city council happening on May 20th. I did about one hour's worth of research when I voted for the city council in the first election, but surprisingly came up with some pretty strong and even emotional attachments with the folks I voted for. Two of those three are running again in the run-off election. Mark Mitchell was the only candidate to win enough votes to win on the first attempt. One of the persons I voted for, Rhett Wilson, did not win enough to qualify.

Mark Mitchell, for those of you who don't know, is the son of our beloved Congressman Harry Mitchell, a fixture in Tempe, who was gracious enough to knock off the blustering incumbent and Bush apologist, J.D. Hayworth in the 2006 election. Harry Mitchell was a high school teacher at Tempe High for decades, and later won as mayor of Tempe, after that, ousted a former Bishopric member of mine for the state legislature, and is now our Congressman. There is also a statue in downtown Tempe in his honor. I suspect being his son helped Mark Mitchell win the race. His signs were even identical to Harry's.

On Thursday night, I tried to watch the two hour debate streaming on-line from Tempe Channel 11. I say tried because I was also trying to watch my kids while my wife was out for the evening. So, I really wish I could have paid more attention because it was pretty riveting, all four candidates seemed pretty well qualified, accomplished, and aware of the issues. Also, I was surprised by how much the decisions of the council (and the mayor of course) can affect my life. Perhaps they were inflating their own importance in the debate, but if they were, I was fooled.

First of all, I want to give you my run-down of the candidates. Each of them has a website, all linked from here, and most of them containing an almost formulaic list of issues they support: how much they love Tempe and its schools and how much they hate crime and blight. But if you read what they say carefully, do some googling on each candidate, read as much about them as you can possibly find (the Arizona Republic in its Tempe section is providing space on the candidates at an almost daily basis), you get a fairly interesting overview of each candidate. In that vain, here is my take on each. Also, I want to finish this post with a quick rundown of what I want from the city I live in.

Hut Hutson
He's the old guy of the group, the incumbent. He's lived in Tempe forever, been a member of a number of fraternal and community organizations, an apparent leader in the community. In the debate he seemed to have the best grasp of the issues. He seemed to give the most technical, detailed explanations. For example, when asked about the tall buildings coming into the Tempe's downtown, and what the city should do to limit size and height so as to blend in with the surrounding neighborhoods. He described Tempe's current approach by using the tent analogy. The tallest building will act as the center pole of the tent, and everything comes down on each side of this "pole" from there. With the effect that building's size blends gradually down toward the size of the single level homes in the surrounding neighborhoods. He was most excited about the prospect of Michael Crow, ASU's president, building a bunch of new student housing which should decrease the rental demand in Tempe's neighborhoods, injecting our city with an influx of affordable homes that hopefully people will buy and not rent. The high percentage of rentals in Tempe is a major issue for this city council. Let's call Hutt Hutson the John McCain of the group (I'm simple, he's the old just like McCain is old).

Joel Navarro
Joel Navarro is a fireman but has a degree in education. I think I remember his parents were also educators. He grew up in Tempe and his parents still live here, and as a result shows a sincere passion for the city. He uses his experience as a fireman, validly I believe, as evidence for his deep knowledge and appreciation for public safety. Both he and Corey Woods were the two candidates who opposed dropping the property tax rates (a huge issue as property valuations appear to be on the verge of a major increase). Instead he is in favor of getting bond elections passed so that the city government can make the many improvements the city needs. Of the four, I came away the least impressed with him in regard to his knowledge about city issues, but this is just a general impression not fully backed up by a lot of supporting evidence.

Corey Woods
Corey Woods is the youngest of the four candidates. Young, single, and full of energy at age 28. This is also his second attempt running for city council. He is not only a current ASU student pursuing a masters degree in education, but also an active member and leader in a number of organizations. He stated, humorously, that sleep isn't something he really needs. He was also the first to declare formally his intentions to run, well before anyone else. He reminds me the most of Barack Obama (I guess his race has something to do with this), but he just has so much youthful energy and passion. He was the strongest proponent of the environment, of public transportation, of supporting eclectic small businesses and promoting destinations places in the city in the vein of Changing Hands/Trader Joes/WildFlower strip mall on the Guadalupe/McClintock corner.

Julie Jakubek
Finally, Julie Jakubek is a successful businesswoman and neighborhood activist, the only one living in the heart of Tempe (in my view), in the Maple-Ash district near the city center. She was the president of the Maple/Ash neighborhood association, owns her own business winning businesswoman of the year recently. She also won beautification awards for the re-modeling work she has done on her house. In the debate, she was quick to tout her business experience, and that because of it she would be ready to balance the books on day one. Maybe she will also have a 3am phone call commercial, so on that note we'll have to call her the Hillary Clinton of the group.

So, for this election, we get to vote for two candidates. I actually think all four seem really qualified to win, but in my eyes, two stand out: Corey Woods and Julie Jakubek.

Corey Woods: He just has the most energy of the group, that much was clear in the debates. He is also the most vocal of all candidates to express views on issues I care most about, transportation, support for small, locally owned businesses, destination places in Tempe. I think his youth and his connection to ASU is an asset. ASU is a major fixture in Tempe, and our city government needs to have a strong relationship with it.

Julie Jakubek: Personally, I think the Maple/Ash neighborhood is part of the heart and soul of Tempe. It is one of its oldest neighborhoods with an obvious geographic connection to the downtown area. Someone who not only lives there, but has been a neighborhood activist there would inevitably be a strong and important resource in the city council. She expresses a strong desire for city and neighborhood beautification which is also an issue very important to me.

I struggled over Hut Hutson. I think his age, experience and knowledge are extremely important, and would hate to lose that. But, I just think the two other candidates bring more relevant perspectives.

Joel Navarro also seems like another good candidate. I didn't get the sense that his grasp of the issues were as deep as the others, but again, I just felt like the Jakubek and Woods have more to offer. Finally, both Jakubek and Woods were endorsed by the Arizona Republic, which definitely has had an influence on me.

I want to conclude this post with a quick summary of what I want out of my city. This view is heavily influenced by Richard Florida's book, The Rise of the Creative Class . In this book, Florida describes the cities that are thriving as those that can attract the knowledge workers that make up the creative class: the artists, poets, and writers are obvious members. But the group includes software developers, businesspeople, finance. Anyone whose job requires high levels of creativity and self-autonomy. His point is that creative people tend to congregate in cities that accommodate the things creative people seek.

Primary examples of creative class cities are San Fransisco (which can include San Jose), New York City, Boston, and Austin. These cities tend to have really good universities, are ultra-tolerant, have a vibrant downtown and an active and deep arts and music scene. In regards to the tolerance issue, Florida has created what he calls the gay index. Mapping the gay population correlates closely to the creative hubs in our country. This fact has a lot to do with tolerance factor. The homosexual population will simply congregate toward tolerant locations. This attitude of tolerance is important for everyone because it provides all types of people low barriers of entry, where they can jump in and instantly contribute.

Creative class cities also are cities with vibrant downtowns, downtowns that have vibrant high brow (world class symphonies, ballets, and art museums) and low brow (the local gallery, local theater productions). In our valley, Phoenix is the city with the most happening and the most potential. It has the largest downtown with a lot of history, the best art museums, the most art. The first Friday's art walk are the closest we have to New York City style energy. I love how we are close to opening a light rail that will connect Tempe's downtown with Phoenix's. I also love that Tempe's downtown is growing up, promoting more density and hopefully more pedestrian traffic, which will also hopefully encourage a vibrant array of businesses and activities. I'm saddened though that so many of the coolest stores have either moved out of downtown or have closed up altogether, and that so much of downtown has become so trendy and generic.

All in all, though, I love Tempe, I love its botanical gardens, its parks, its library. We just opened up the Tempe Marketplace, which is as generica America as a place can get complete with a wide assortment of uninteresting chain stores. But even still, the southwest Shakespeare company are right now in the midst of doing a five day straight dramatic reading of every single one of Shakespeare's plays right in the midle of the "District" section of Tempe Marketplace. This is the kind of thing that happens all the time in NYC. I cannot tell you how happy I get when something like this happens here. I dragged my kids there yesterday evening to hear a small portion of Hamlet. It was tremendously cool. Especially seeing these 12 or 13 year old kids with copies of Hamlet in hand reading along. Very cool.

So, I love Tempe, I'm excited by some of the things Michael Crow is trying to do with ASU, trying to make it a world class university. Back to the "Creative Class", I think I read that the GDP of companies spawned from MIT would rival most of the countries in the world. World class universities do a lot to spawn a cool, vibrant, an economically strong city.

I also think this city has a ton of diversity and tolerance, some of which inevitably comes from the university of course. When we were first looking for a house, we tried hard to find something near downtown Phoenix. Tempe was our fall back option, but it has been quite a nice place to fall back into. I am also heartened by the quality of candidates running for our city council.

Finally, in the debate Julie Jakubek talked about how approximately 160,000 people live in Tempe, but in the first city council election only about 16,000 people voted, and that election included the mayor. The run-off will probably only attract around 10,000 voters. Here's hoping this post encourages a few more people to cast their votes. One thing is for sure, what our city government does has a direct influence on our quality of life, our local economy, our tax rates, and our families. We owe it to ourselves to get involved.