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| | Author | Messages | |
Denna
Posts:0
 | | 11/21/2007 8:56 AM |
 Alert | Well I am glad that the city can afford to do one thing every three years, in this case a fire department. Actually, the city built a few schools too right? Also, in their defense, the city increased the size of the police force which was desperately needed.
All those things are great for the community, but if this was Sim City, it would be game over already.
I am simply saying that these things could and should have been done yesterday. Did you know it took 3-4 (or was it 6) months for the stop light near the high school to be installed? What a sleepy little town. It takes us 4 months to put in stop lights. In Abu Dhabi, they can build an entire sky-scraper in 6 months. Here, because of confusion among people in power, it takes us equal time to install a simple light.
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| | justincredible02
Posts:25
| | 11/21/2007 8:59 AM |
Alert | I agree with a lot of your points Denna. I've been here 3 years now and have seen little improvements to the city. Getting a Circle K and Bashas & Long John Silvers doesn't count.
It would help if more retail moved out here that way our taxes would be spend here in the COPA vs. Chandler or Tempe.
At this time I can't move since I'm be breaking even if I'm lucky to sell the house. A lot of people are vent due to the fact they bought when the prices were $$$. We're all stuck in here together. Let's deal with traffic and with the cow smell for now.
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| | Fritzydoodle
Posts:958
| | 11/21/2007 9:42 AM |
Alert | Actually, the city built a few schools too right?
Actually the city built zero schools. City budgets do not fund schools. That is the problem with most of your arguments Denna. You are mixing different governing entities throughout your wish list for Utopia.
Schools are funded by the district through a taxing base and through the state facilities board based on a standardized funding equation.
Public safety - Police and fire, and certain roads are funded by the city's general budget.
SR347 as a State Route designated highway is funded primarily (in order) by the State, County (Pinal and Maricopa) and then City and Tribal (GRIC and Ak Chin) governments. This includes medians along the route. Traffic lights on SR347 are the sole responsibility of ADOT.
Union Pacific Rail Road is under Federal jurisdiction only. State, County and City can make suggestions and requests but have no authority.
Maricopa has come a long way since incorporation. And it still has a way to go. Funding is a major hurdle. I hope most of the citizens realize local funding for all city purchases comes directly from two sources: sales tax revenue and property tax revenue. Yes, the city receives a portion from the State but the bulk is locally generated. You want 10 new parks - each homeowner needs to write a check payable to the City of Maricopa Parks and Rec department. More police officers on the streets - write another check. One way or another - either an increase in sales tax or property tax will be needed. There isn't an endless pit of money - the budget has to balance income vs expenditure. So you prioritize what you will create and spend each year. Different people have different wants, visions and priorities.
Yes, the City Council has made mistakes along the way. But inferring that the entire quality of life for the town is the sole responsibility of the City management is a bit narrow sighted. Retail establishments will only be enticed to the area when they believe they will make money selling their product or service. Is it fair for the City to spend tax payer money to entice a car wash to the community just because we need a car wash? No one has opened one yet because of the cost to build and operate - not for the lack of need and customers. So should the city spend the $2+ million to build one? Ah... no.
Same goes for a hospital. While it would serve the good of the community - building a hospital is a very expensive investment that frankly, would not be financially supported by the community. The need is there, but it does not make sense economically.
Maricopa will need a short while to recover from the rapid, uncontrolled growth it has experienced in the past couple years. Maricopa will continue to grow as the community grows. But just because you moved here, you can't expect everything to happen overnight. Most cities have existed for decades or more. Infrastructure is in place. Maricopa began helter-skelter and then incorporated to provide direction and guidance. It's going to take more than three years to create what has taken decades in other cities.
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| | Mr. Whitefolks
Posts:62
| | 11/21/2007 10:03 AM |
Alert | I have an idea. We organize a community bake sale with 1/2 of the proceeds going towards city improvements and the other 1/2 going towards a fund that will help get you and your sour-puss-good-for-nothing-cup-is-half-full-lil'-missy-sophisticated attitude out of our growing little city ASAP!
Our city is far from perfect, but you are annoying at best!
Finally, i think you owe some people an explanation, if not a full blown apology for your cold-hearted rant about your inconvenience last Saturday night (this can be read in its entirety within the Driving Thread)
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"We are overcome by anguish at this illogical moment of humanity.” - Che
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| | anewman
Posts:667
| | 11/21/2007 10:26 AM |
Alert | Fritzy makes some very good points.
I grew up in a small town that went through the same changes Marciopa is gowing through. I was an adolescent when it incorporated. The town, much like Maricopa was a farming community along a state route highway. In the 20 years of incorporation it has had its ups and downs due to investors coming and gowing. In many ways Maricopa is already ahead of that city and has a brighter future due to the geographical location and available resources.
Cities that newly incorporate do not have infrastructure in place to make the improvements we would all like to see. It takes time (lots of it) and money (even more of it). This city has done a pretty good job of listening to the citizens and making improvements where it is beneficial to all of its residents (young, old, longitme resident or new to the area). The city has built a city park and has plans to build more with more features that the residents have asked for. There are several firehouses throughour the valley so emergency crews can respond faster in emergency's. The city puts on annual events and is engaged in the feedback from its residents on how to improve these events.
The city needs to work with GRIC and the State to create a better traffic flow with alternate routes.
The city needs to work with the railroad to determine feasible and practicle interchanges with the railroad.
There is no town center or down town either. This should be a high priority as well to give the city an identity and more respect from investors and corporations.
We all know these things need to happen but non of them can be worked through in a week. If our council knows what they are doing it will take months or more than a year to accomplish these projects because they need to be completed not for how the city is today but what it will be 20 years from now.
These are not projects we want a bandaid for. We need a long term solution that works for the residents and the future of this city.
If people are that upset about the median- call ADOT and adopt the highway. Step up to the plate and HELP make this city what you want it to be!
Anyone can sit back and complain and comment: What are you going to do? | |
"The jouney of life is as much in oneself' as the roads one travels"
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| | Denna
Posts:0
| | 11/21/2007 11:55 AM |
Alert | Yes you are right. Everyone should pitch in because we don't have people that we are paying with our tax dollars to do it for us. Maybe I misunderstood the concept of government and what taxes pay for. Adopt a Highway is typically for desolate freeways with relatively little civilization around them. The 202 freeway through Scottsdale is not maintained by Adopt a Highway.
And yet, yes build another park, that is just what we need. Every homeowners association is already running park like establishments. Better yet, we need 5 new parks. That will make people happy. They can think about the parks as they sit in traffic.
Everything many people are pointing to is mindless beauracracy.
bureaucracy: 4. administration characterized by excessive red tape and routine.
"Oh it's not the city's responsibility, it is ADOT's." We're talking about putting up a stop light in a responsible timeline in OUR city. Is that really rocket science? We are talking about maintaining the medians in our city so we don't look like some run down farmer town, but a town with some form of modernization and class. We are talking about coordinating reasonable work hours and times for road construction crews. We are talking about putting priority one at fixing the traffic problem because every day something isn't done, is another day lost. It's almost like we have this magic long term approach where people think everything is going to get done.
And as for zoning... Someone said, "you wouldn't like the government telling you what you could use your land for". Well likewise, just because I want to put up a 50 story Macy's on my lot, I can't because it isn't zoned for it. It is exactly the governments job to tell people what they can do with their undeveloped land. "Oh you bought that land on speculation that you could build condos? Sorry, it is zoned for shopping." The city doesn't have to zone every lot for more houses as they have done. If someone gets upset, oh well... Just because someone buys or owns land they have speculated might be eventually zoned for something doesn't give them the promise that it will be so.
By the way, I would love to hear the city of Chandler say that "Oh Ray Road is the responsibility of ADOT". That doesn't happen. They make sure their roads are clean, cared for, and with little impact to the citizens. You would never see them putting up a stop light for several months.
In any situation, there should be one person who is accountable, not 20 different ambiguous agencies. Who do you suppose that is in our case? The "not my fault" thing only goes so far because, at the end of the day, someone is at fault. The guy in New Orleans I am sure enjoyed blaming any dozens of other state agencies for his short comings.
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|  | Denna
Posts:0
| | 11/21/2007 12:03 PM |
Alert | <div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By justincredible02 on 11/21/2007 8:59 AM
I agree with a lot of your points Denna. I've been here 3 years now and have seen little improvements to the city. Getting a Circle K and Bashas & Long John Silvers doesn't count.
It would help if more retail moved out here that way our taxes would be spend here in the COPA vs. Chandler or Tempe.
At this time I can't move since I'm be breaking even if I'm lucky to sell the house. A lot of people are vent due to the fact they bought when the prices were $$$. We're all stuck in here together. Let's deal with traffic and with the cow smell for now.
</div>
That's the only option we have isn't it. <img src='http://www.85239.com/desktopmodules/ntforums/images/emoticons/sad.gif' height='20' width='20' border='0' title='Sad' align='absmiddle'>
I'd love to see a candidate with some cajones and take charge attitude run for public office. | | | |
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| | twostep23
Posts:1687
| | 11/21/2007 12:15 PM |
Alert | Come on now. Let's get the facts straight again.
Ray road in the city of Chandler and is not a highway therefore it is controlled by the city. The city pays to maintain it.
The Highways like 347 are controlled by the state. Hence the name State Route 347. ADOT therefore has the responsibility of maintaining and controlling.
Adopt a Highway is on ALL the highways. The organization or people that have a stretch of highway either pay ADOT or clean it up themselves. Hence the reason that 85239.com puts a team together twice a year to clean their stretch of highway. They do not maintain the road they only CLEAN the trash.
SR347 runs through the city of Maricopa but it is ADOT responsibility to maintain the road. The city of Maricopa has no jurisdiction over ADOT. Maricopa was built around the 347.
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Senior Member
Posts: 4625
Joined: Feb 2006 | |
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| | phxgirl
Posts:225
| | 11/21/2007 4:41 PM |
Alert | | I agree with Denna in alot of ways too ! And I know the city seems to have it's hands full or tied. But I can't say I truly feel the city has done everything it can to make this town the "greatest"! And even though they are trying it should've been done along time ago. Just like the article about Maricopa having a downtown district, Gov, City, Corp etc. The city has been warned or had advice handed to them again and again on how to "improve Maricopa" and even though it might not happen tomorrow I hope it isn't forgotten. My biggest fear is if the city keeps slipping that Maricopa wiill be a ghost town, and a that is a place I def don't want to live. | | | |
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| | maricopacabana
Posts:338
| | 11/21/2007 5:56 PM |
Alert | <div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By Denna on 11/21/2007 11:55 AM
Yes you are right. Everyone should pitch in because we don't have people that we are paying with our tax dollars to do it for us. Maybe I misunderstood the concept of government and what taxes pay for. Adopt a Highway is typically for desolate freeways with relatively little civilization around them. The 202 freeway through Scottsdale is not maintained by Adopt a Highway.
And yet, yes build another park, that is just what we need. Every homeowners association is already running park like establishments. Better yet, we need 5 new parks. That will make people happy. They can think about the parks as they sit in traffic.
Everything many people are pointing to is mindless beauracracy.
bureaucracy: 4. administration characterized by excessive red tape and routine.
"Oh it's not the city's responsibility, it is ADOT's." We're talking about putting up a stop light in a responsible timeline in OUR city. Is that really rocket science? We are talking about maintaining the medians in our city so we don't look like some run down farmer town, but a town with some form of modernization and class. We are talking about coordinating reasonable work hours and times for road construction crews. We are talking about putting priority one at fixing the traffic problem because every day something isn't done, is another day lost. It's almost like we have this magic long term approach where people think everything is going to get done.
And as for zoning... Someone said, "you wouldn't like the government telling you what you could use your land for". Well likewise, just because I want to put up a 50 story Macy's on my lot, I can't because it isn't zoned for it. It is exactly the governments job to tell people what they can do with their undeveloped land. "Oh you bought that land on speculation that you could build condos? Sorry, it is zoned for shopping." The city doesn't have to zone every lot for more houses as they have done. If someone gets upset, oh well... Just because someone buys or owns land they have speculated might be eventually zoned for something doesn't give them the promise that it will be so.
By the way, I would love to hear the city of Chandler say that "Oh Ray Road is the responsibility of ADOT". That doesn't happen. They make sure their roads are clean, cared for, and with little impact to the citizens. You would never see them putting up a stop light for several months.
In any situation, there should be one person who is accountable, not 20 different ambiguous agencies. Who do you suppose that is in our case? The "not my fault" thing only goes so far because, at the end of the day, someone is at fault. The guy in New Orleans I am sure enjoyed blaming any dozens of other state agencies for his short comings.
</div>
Here some facts for you. Most of the City was Zoned by Pinal County prior to incorporation. Most of what has been built was approved of by Pinal County. The Traffic lights are installed by ADOT. The last one took so long because a contractor hired by a developer accidentily severed the fiber line. This required a lengthy repair. I'm sure you have the skill to do it better.
You complain of rising gang and drug problems. You complain the City is doing nothing to improve property values. You then complain that the City is building parks. Hmmm drugs and gangs seem to flourish where there are no youth activities. People want cities to have a vibrant park system in their community. Parks equal added value and possibly less drugs and gangs. HOA green zones are not a park replacement. Many have no sports facilities and they are for the people who live in that neighborhood. More importantly parks aren't just green zones they are arts programs, dance lessons and sports for kids and adults. Better yet it is actually something the City has direct control of.
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| | Lano
Posts:274
| | 11/21/2007 6:21 PM |
Alert | | Cabana.....the only thing Denna may be guilty of is aiming a little higher than say.....the bottom. You can continue to point out why things are other agencies responsibility. You may even be right on a couple. But that does'nt excuse the complete incompetence of some of our city officials. Having other agencies to blame is what politicians live for. Couple of examples.....our fine govenor, the mayor of phoenix, along with some police chiefs, are the masters at blaming others. It's easier than addressing the issue. I'm sure the mayor and his staff are all good and decent people. They just have'nt gotten the job done. | | | |
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| | twostep23
Posts:1687
| | 11/21/2007 8:52 PM |
Alert | Not true guilty of not getting the facts straight.
If there are so many problems that your so quick to point out please explain what you have done to correct these problems. What have you done to help turn the city around from what problems you speak of.
Complaining over and over on the forum especially when no one knows who you are doesn't solve the problem. Getting involved does. What have you done to get involved to correct all you type about? | |
Senior Member
Posts: 4625
Joined: Feb 2006 | |
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| | Lano
Posts:274
| | 11/22/2007 5:43 AM |
Alert | <div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By twostep23 on 11/21/2007 8:52 PM
Not true guilty of not getting the facts straight.
If there are so many problems that your so quick to point out please explain what you have done to correct these problems. What have you done to help turn the city around from what problems you speak of.
Complaining over and over on the forum especially when no one knows who you are doesn't solve the problem. Getting involved does. What have you done to get involved to correct all you type about?</div>
The number one thing I'll be doing to get involed will be voting. Other than that, and speaking out here twostep, what have you done to help shape policy? | | | |
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| | twostep23
Posts:1687
| | 11/22/2007 9:01 AM |
Alert | "will be voting"??? So how many people have you spoken to that can give you insight as to what is going on with Maricopa?
I'm not sitting on the forum complaining about this and that.
I have chosen to get involved with my community on the HOA level and the block watch. We strive to make our community as nice and as safe as we can. I'm not going to do the name dropping thing but I do have friends involved within many different levels of the community and know that there are many things in the works and are being planned to help to make Maricopa an awesome place.
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Senior Member
Posts: 4625
Joined: Feb 2006 | |
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| | Denna
Posts:0
| | 11/22/2007 9:55 AM |
Alert | <div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By twostep23 on 11/22/2007 9:01 AM
"will be voting"??? So how many people have you spoken to that can give you insight as to what is going on with Maricopa?
I'm not sitting on the forum complaining about this and that.
I have chosen to get involved with my community on the HOA level and the block watch. We strive to make our community as nice and as safe as we can. I'm not going to do the name dropping thing but I do have friends involved within many different levels of the community and know that there are many things in the works and are being planned to help to make Maricopa an awesome place.
</div>
And what are these things in the works being planned to make it an awesome place? Why the cloak and dagger and secrecy if it is so great? Wouldn't you be posting here proclaiming all these great things that are coming? Please spare us the fact that we will get a Home Depot in a year and a Walmart in 2. This doesn't help anything I've stated and, in fact, just compounds the traffic problem. I can only imagine what the intersection at Casa Grande freeway will be like after the stoplight and double the amount of trains.
Lord knows that Maricopa won't have done anything about a "bypass" by the time Home Depot goes up. I think you guys will still be planning great things. When I was a young girl, I used to plan that I could fly and drive space cars. Make believe can be really fun! Planning is one thing, execution is another. Maricopa has a track record for lack of execution.
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| | Urban Cowgirl
Posts:208
| | 11/22/2007 10:06 AM |
Alert | Denna, I've been reading through all of this, and have yet to hear what you've done to change things.
While what TwoStep's doing might not be your idea of how to save the world, she's INVOLVED. She's making a difference in her HOA.
Are you too busy complaining here to do anything about it? | |
Janelle
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You can take the girl out of Kansas, but can't take Kansas out of the girl! | |
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| | twostep23
Posts:1687
| | 11/22/2007 10:11 AM |
Alert | No cloak and dagger or secretly at all. Get involved and you'll see exactly what is happening to this sleepy town.
Not everything is planned and completed within a blink of an eye.
But one thing that shows throughout all your posting is the lack of understanding that 1/2 the battle of ANY great place to live is the people within it.
You can solve all the problems that you think are here in Maricopa but it's the good friends and family that actually makes a house it's home and that includes the city that you live in. | |
Senior Member
Posts: 4625
Joined: Feb 2006 | |
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| | DesertDweller
Posts:2549
| | 11/22/2007 10:13 AM |
Alert | "I'm not going to do the name dropping thing but I do have friends involved within many different levels of the community and know that there are many things in the works and are being planned to help to make Maricopa an awesome place."
I knew I shouldn't have said anything. Now Twostep knows about my plans to open a topless car wash.
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Stupid should hurt!
Desert Dweller - Senior Member - Posts: 2982 - Joined: Feb 2006 | |
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| | Denna
Posts:0
| | 11/22/2007 10:23 AM |
Alert | <div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By Urban Cowgirl on 11/22/2007 10:06 AM
Denna, I've been reading through all of this, and have yet to hear what you've done to change things.
While what TwoStep's doing might not be your idea of how to save the world, she's INVOLVED. She's making a difference in her HOA.
Are you too busy complaining here to do anything about it? </div>
My HOA isn't going to fix any of the problems I've addressed. That is ridiculous. That is like telling someone to talk to the butcher at Fry's because they are having a heart attack. "Hey the guy works with meat and probably knows where a heart is. Nevermind that it's a cow and not a human being." My issues cannot be fixed by my HOA... or twosteps.
I still haven't seen her tell me what great things are planned and coming. What are these mysterious things? I can then come back in a year and point out all the great things that were planned that didn't happen. Our police department will still be housed in doublewides, next door to a fire department office in a tough shed... There will be nothing done to fix the traffic problems.
Why complain? Because that is how movements start... and it is easier to do it this way than to stand outside of Bashas. | | | |
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| | twostep23
Posts:1687
| | 11/22/2007 10:53 AM |
Alert | You are as welcome as each and every other citizen of Maricopa to get involved and make a difference. This will help you learn about the things that are being done to help make things better and maybe even add suggestions into the mix.
And in parting just to let you know that I am not a public official that needs to hire a new speech writer. I'm actually an inventory control specialist that drives the 347 each and every day.
Good luck to you and I hope that you find happiness either here or in another city.
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Senior Member
Posts: 4625
Joined: Feb 2006 | |
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