It's all in the interpretation...

Last week, a few friends went to lunch. The conversation turned to the budget and our shared concerns over some key issues that had not been addressed. Moreover, we all discovered that we were about to head into an Appropriations meeting having not had an opportunity to read the proposed amendments that we were expected to vote on. We decided to call the chairman and let him know our concerns and ask that we have time before the scheduled meeting to talk about these new amendments and the small handful of concerns. This seemed more polite than showing up and voting down amendments without giving our chairman the "heads up."

Unfortunately, this small act of preservation and respectful hesitancy was interpreted by onlookers as some sort of Conservative split from the caucus. People imagined all sorts of silly things and many folks were really offended because of their incorrect interpretation of our actions. For that I am truly saddened. We respect our Republican leadership team greatly, and we know that they are up against a tough fight with this super-liberal spending governor. To have them think we questioned them is painfully wrong.

I believe we are very close to an acceptable budget that all of us can live with and it is do in large part to the tireless efforts by our two Appropriations Chairmen and our whole leadership team in the House. All of Arizona is lucky to have such a dedicated group of people down at the House of Representatives fighting for a responsible budget that will meet the needs of Arizonans without raising taxes or spending into debt.

That's how it seems to me, but that is after all just my interpretation.

Having "text" with workmates. Where does it cross the line?

That's all. Just asking the question. I don't have the answer. I can only say that a workmate of mine has created a monster by teaching me how to use text-messaging on my cell phone. I laughed when the Verizon service rep. told me about the 1,000 text message plan that was available for my calling plan. "I'm not a teenager!" I quipped back confidently.

Then I discovered the sweet addiction that is texting. So satisfying. It can be done with your mouth full, while in a meeting, even dare I say while driving (so I'm told by one truly-masterful text partner I have...Though I'm not sure how DPS would appreciate this).

If you miss your old pen pal days, this may be just the thing for you. Unless your phone is more than a couple years old it can probably do it. Check with your calling plan first, as there are probably charges that apply.

One caveat to consider... These short text messages can be just as easily misinterpreted as regular email. Possibly, the opportunity for miscommunication is even more hazardous, as the space is so limited. Be sure to pick your words carefully, and delete messages when done. A later perusal of an innocent message under different circumstances could be a real problem.

Finally, a polite way to use a cell phone again. And, one more way the office can reach me... Wait a minute. What have I done?!

Pamela's Most Excellent Starbucks Recipe

Ok, by popular demand, here it is. I warn you, though. It is addicting. It is also relatively carb-friendly. There is enough fat and caffeine to keep you going until lunch, if that is the poor diet and lack of attention to your health that you choose.

Double Tall
Sugar-Free Vanilla
Breve
Extra Hot
Latte

If you order it in exactly that way, it will be made correctly 90% of the time even if you venture away from my "home" Starbucks location.

Enjoy.

Hillary? Heaven help us.

I heard a not-so-funny joke this morning over my ever familiar favorite latte recipe this morning... One Anthem neighbor jested that perhaps the Gov. is positioning herself to run for Senator and she will just ditch the whole Gov. thing and surprise us all. It would be much easier for her to move from Senator to Vice President (under Hillary Clinton's Administration), it was opined.

As much respect as I have for Janet's political savvy and downright rock-hard media-repelling armor, she is still a minor leaguer compared to our gal Hillary. The thought of Hillary at the helm is stuff nightmares are made of.


Yikes. Cold shiver. Somebody change the channel!

Your voices were heard!

I have to say that I have never seen a government agency respond to the "people" the way the State Land Trust Department has. As much as we owe many of our neighbors a huge "Thanks" for their well-organized efforts, we also need to give a nod to this agency. They promised they would listen, and they did. As of this morning, the map shows that most of this entire area has been left out of their conceptual plan. Daisy Mountain shows no change at all. I hope everyone who sent letters of appeal to the Commissioner will take the time to send a quick "thank you" note for this enormous reversal in their direction.

As long as that State Trust Land is held in trust, we still need to be aware that a new plan could be drawn up years down the road. It isn't "preserve land" as some have mistakenly believed. It is private property with an unknown future. While some of us around here might hope for a pristine preserved desert all around us, we should not take it for granted.

Ah, but let's not think of that today... Today, let's concentrate on our great success. Thank you to everyone who participated in helping this situation move in a positive direction!

Repaving I-17 north of Happy Valley Road

I received the following and wanted to pass it on...

Representative Gorman -

Please see the following details regarding the I-17 construction work.

- The State Transportation Board awarded the contract on March 18th.
- The 20-day "quick-start" provision in the contract does not start until the date of ADOT's letter to the contractor that follows typically a few days after the Board's contract award. In this case the letter to the contractor is dated March 21, 2004, so the 20-day provision expires on April 11, 2004.
-Paving is going to start this Friday night (4/8/04) and continue next Monday - Wednesday nights (4/11-4/13) on the Northbound right lane section from Happy Valley Road to Carefree Highway. The reason for restricting the work to just the right lane is to leave one lane open to traffic during the work. We are requiring the contract to keep one lane open at all times.

Shannon L. Wilhelmsen, Director
Communication and Community Partnerships Arizona Department of Transportation

Update on State Land Trust Issue in north part of district 6

Richard Hubbard represented the Commissioner in a standing-room-only meeting with over 1000 in attendance last week...

They confirmed that a new plan (now named the North Side State Land Study) is nearly ready, supposedly very much compliant with the Maricopa County 2020 plan.
This Plan will be distributed to the Coalition, for analysis, and
for dissemination to the rest of the community. The revised Plan
will be reviewed in the Desert Advocate, as soon as available. Deputy Commissioner
Hubbard affirmed that these are conceptual plans for a region, which
they were charged by the Growing Smarter Legislation to complete,
and should not be viewed as zoning districts. He pledged to the
County and the residents that Comm. Winkleman would not use any
super-zoning powers which might be permitted by current or future
legislation during his tenure. This had been a concern, in that
local city and county planning greatly conflicted with the State's.



Andy Kunasek, Maricopa County Supervisor for this area, reaffirmed
that he will do all possible to ensure that the residents have voice
in the planning for this area, which Commissioner Winkleman has
acknowledged as the appropriate source once the Urban Land Planning
Oversight Committee submits the revised plan to the Commissioner.
All District 6 & 7 elected state officials also attended the meeting.


The community must remain vigilant about all
interactions of State Land with new development on a continuing
basis, and report same to the Coalition. The availability of open
public comment on any proposed plan has been the critical link
requested by the coalition. Your input and view is important.


The next public meeting that will have Coalition representation is the State Land
Department's Urban Land Planning Oversight Committee Meeting that
will be held on
April 21st
1 PM
1616 West Adams Street
(downtown)Phoenix
There is free parking across Adams at Wesley Bolin Plaza, or behind the building. The back parking lot is easiest to access via 17th Avenue. If you are not familiar with downtown, please remember that this is the capital mall area where Washington travels only westbound and ends in a "Y" at Wesley Bolin Plaza. You will need to choose the north side of the "Y" which will take you directly onto Adams. The building is just at the top of the "Y" on the right.

While you are welcome to attend and comment, given the time of this
meeting and the location, it is not one requiring broad public
attendance.