By Megan Martin
March 25, 2008
The hardships of the current real estate industry have turned some neighborhood streets into desolate ghost towns. Vacant houses are now eye-sores overrun with weeds. One Valley woman has had enough, and she’s taking action to take back her street.
Valerie McDonald has lived in the same house for 15 years. In that time she has seen neighbors come and go, but never has she seen so many leave without a replacement to fill the neighborly void.
“This has always been a friendly street. Kids were always playing outside,” said McDonald of her central Phoenix neighborhood. “But that all changed when people started selling.”
McDonald’s neighbors, like many others, took advantage of the housing boom the city experienced over the last five years. But as the market cooled, and finally stopped, the houses which once contained families now sit empty as the new owners fall into foreclosure.
“There were six houses for sale for months. That was just on this street alone,” said McDonald. “Some were right next door to each other.”
Some of the houses which had sat for sale ultimately fell into foreclosure.
“The whole aura of the neighborhood had changed,” said McDonald. “It wasn’t as friendly. It felt dead.”
The empty houses became unkempt, and weeds began to take over the yards. McDonald began a daily battle to keep the foreclosed yard next door from invading her own manicured lawn.
McDonald wasn’t the only neighbor who noticed the change.
“There was one house whose weeds were almost three feet high,” said Michael Carpenter, who stopped sitting on his front porch because of the eye sore across the street.
While doing yard work one day, McDonald decided to cross the property line and began working in yard next door.
“One day I pulled weeds, another day I mowed the lawn. I started doing it almost as often as I worked in my own yard.”
Carpenter noticed the efforts of McDonald, and the small difference it made. “She was always over there. It was amazing what a difference some yard work can make to the look and feel of the street.”
The difference was noticed by more neighbors, and soon, McDonald says the neighborhood regained its friendly attitude.
“If I was working in the yard people would come over and talk or help pull weeds. We started working on some of the other houses, too.”
When the foreclosed house next door went to auction, McDonald decided to take more than a neighborly interest in the house.
“I put so much work into that yard, I figured maybe I could put more into it and help to make it more like it used to be.”
McDonald bought the house next door, and is looking to buy another house which will go on auction later this year.
“Why shouldn’t I take control of the situation? It may have a financial benefit in the future, but for now it just means I feel better about where I live and that’s enough.”
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Less protesters present at this year's Easter pagaent
By Megan Martin
March 19, 2008
Faiths collided at the end of a busy crosswalk Tuesday night, as visitors to the Mormon temple in Mesa were greeted to the annual Easter pageant by Evangelical protesters.
This is the 70th year the Church of Latter Day Saints has presented an Easter pageant for the public. Free of charge, and a non-denominational approach, have made the event a popular fixture for families in the weeks prior to Easter.
The event has also been a popular outlet for Evangelical Christians to picket on the city sidewalks surrounding the pageant.
“There have always been people out here,” said Stephen Smith, a member of the Mormon Church and attendee at the Easter pageant. “I remember one year they literally surrounded the temple’s sidewalk. There were so many.”
Smith also remembered how tense the conversations between the Evangelicals and Mormons could get, “a few years ago, it was unimaginable. I heard someone got shot with a BB gun.”
Mesa Police confirmed that an incident had occurred during the 2002 Easter pageant, during which an Evangelical was struck by a pellet gun while standing on the sidewalk outside of the temple. No arrests have been made.
Despite a tumultuous past, this year’s pageant has solidified what many frequent attendees had noticed – where have all of the protesters gone?
“It seems like every year, there aren’t as many coming here. It used to be insane, you could barely get past them. Now, there’s only three or four. It’s not nearly as intimidating as it has been,” said Chuck Brackett, who has run a water stand on the perimeter of the pageant for the past four years.
The group, while small, did attract a significant amount of people, some of which decided to engage in a theological debate.
“I just don’t understand why they’re here. We don’t bother them at their church,” said Melody Craft, a member of the Mormon Church.
“We are battling for souls,” said Mike Palmer, as he attempted to explain himself and his actions to passers-by like Craft.
Some members of the Mormon Church are optimistic that the reduced number of protesters has a bigger meaning that the evangelicals are becoming more tolerant.
“I can only hope this means that they no longer feel the need to badger us for our beliefs,” said Smith, “I cannot prove the Church is true… I’m getting tired of the ecclesiastical pissing contest.”
March 19, 2008
Faiths collided at the end of a busy crosswalk Tuesday night, as visitors to the Mormon temple in Mesa were greeted to the annual Easter pageant by Evangelical protesters.
This is the 70th year the Church of Latter Day Saints has presented an Easter pageant for the public. Free of charge, and a non-denominational approach, have made the event a popular fixture for families in the weeks prior to Easter.
The event has also been a popular outlet for Evangelical Christians to picket on the city sidewalks surrounding the pageant.
“There have always been people out here,” said Stephen Smith, a member of the Mormon Church and attendee at the Easter pageant. “I remember one year they literally surrounded the temple’s sidewalk. There were so many.”
Smith also remembered how tense the conversations between the Evangelicals and Mormons could get, “a few years ago, it was unimaginable. I heard someone got shot with a BB gun.”
Mesa Police confirmed that an incident had occurred during the 2002 Easter pageant, during which an Evangelical was struck by a pellet gun while standing on the sidewalk outside of the temple. No arrests have been made.
Despite a tumultuous past, this year’s pageant has solidified what many frequent attendees had noticed – where have all of the protesters gone?
“It seems like every year, there aren’t as many coming here. It used to be insane, you could barely get past them. Now, there’s only three or four. It’s not nearly as intimidating as it has been,” said Chuck Brackett, who has run a water stand on the perimeter of the pageant for the past four years.
The group, while small, did attract a significant amount of people, some of which decided to engage in a theological debate.
“I just don’t understand why they’re here. We don’t bother them at their church,” said Melody Craft, a member of the Mormon Church.
“We are battling for souls,” said Mike Palmer, as he attempted to explain himself and his actions to passers-by like Craft.
Some members of the Mormon Church are optimistic that the reduced number of protesters has a bigger meaning that the evangelicals are becoming more tolerant.
“I can only hope this means that they no longer feel the need to badger us for our beliefs,” said Smith, “I cannot prove the Church is true… I’m getting tired of the ecclesiastical pissing contest.”
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Get help filing for stimulus payments
By Megan Martin, For the Tribune
March 15, 2008
Free tax preparation help will be offered today for East Valley residents in danger of missing out on economic stimulus payments.
The assistance is aimed at retired, disabled or low-income households that are usually exempt from filing tax returns. This year, however, a tax return is required in order to receive a stimulus payment from the federal government in the spring or summer.
Mesa is hosting the event with help from Tempe, Chandler, Scottsdale and Gilbert. The Internal Revenue Service and the Mesa United Way will also assist in the event, which will include IRS-trained volunteers.
The event will be 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the community room of the Mesa Utility Building at 640 N. Mesa Drive.
"We are expecting at least 100 residents to come down and take part," said Mesa human services specialist Lisa Wilson, who helped coordinate the event.
The stimulus payments, which the U.S. Department of Treasury will start mailing in May, will provide checks ranging from $300 to $600 per individual. Parents will receive an additional $300 per child.
"We just want to get the word out to the people who aren't used to filing tax returns, because that's they only way they'll get their check," Wilson said.
Information regarding the event is available by calling the Mesa Department of Human Services at (480) 644-5831.
General information on the economic stimulus payments is available online at www.irs.gov.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/111421
March 15, 2008
Free tax preparation help will be offered today for East Valley residents in danger of missing out on economic stimulus payments.
The assistance is aimed at retired, disabled or low-income households that are usually exempt from filing tax returns. This year, however, a tax return is required in order to receive a stimulus payment from the federal government in the spring or summer.
Mesa is hosting the event with help from Tempe, Chandler, Scottsdale and Gilbert. The Internal Revenue Service and the Mesa United Way will also assist in the event, which will include IRS-trained volunteers.
The event will be 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the community room of the Mesa Utility Building at 640 N. Mesa Drive.
"We are expecting at least 100 residents to come down and take part," said Mesa human services specialist Lisa Wilson, who helped coordinate the event.
The stimulus payments, which the U.S. Department of Treasury will start mailing in May, will provide checks ranging from $300 to $600 per individual. Parents will receive an additional $300 per child.
"We just want to get the word out to the people who aren't used to filing tax returns, because that's they only way they'll get their check," Wilson said.
Information regarding the event is available by calling the Mesa Department of Human Services at (480) 644-5831.
General information on the economic stimulus payments is available online at www.irs.gov.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/111421
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Cardboard fire snarls Valley freeways
By Megan Martin, For the Tribune
February 29, 2008
Two lanes of westbound Loop 202 are now open in Tempe following an intense cardboard fire.
A tractor-trailer carrying more than 70,000 pounds of compacted cardboard burst into flames while traveling westbound at approximately 9:35 a.m. Friday at the Scottsdale Road on-ramp.
Fire officials said the driver saw smoke rising from the uncovered cargo and was able to drive the truck out of traffic. The driver then detached the truck from the trailer and drove the truck about 30 feet from the flames.
The reason for the blaze is still under investigation, but Tempe fire spokesman Mike Reichling said a discarded cigarette butt from another vehicle could be to blame.
The company which owns the trailer told the Tempe Fire Department that there have been at least two similar incidents in the past in which cigarette butts were the cause.
“Tossing cigarettes out of windows is not only littering, it can be dangerous,” Reichling said.
Firefighters from at least four cities surrounding the blaze responded to the blaze, including Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe and Scottsdale.
Tensions began to rise almost two hours after the blaze started, when it was discovered that there were possibly two 500-pound propane tanks in a storage area on the burning trailer.
“Even though the tanks were thought to be empty, all precautions needed to be taken,” said Sgt. Ann FitzGerald of the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
FitzGerald said for the safety of firefighters and the public, a 200-foot perimeter was set up, closing all lanes of westbound traffic.
At approximately 11:30 A.M., ADOT had been cleared to open the HOV lane, followed by the lane next to it, for traffic. Traffic had been ushered off the freeway at the Scottsdale Road exit and was not permitted to enter the freeway as far back as McClintock Road.
Traffic could be seen at a standstill as far back as Dobson, and cars were parked on the Loop 202 on-ramp in both directions of Loop 101.
“Surprisingly, we’ve had no accidents reported,” FitzGerald said of the increased attention and hazards created.
Traffic is expected to be restricted for hours, as the fire is still being extinguished, followed by a heavy clean-up.
Further restrictions may apply if the freeway is in need of patching, due to damages from the intense flames, according to DPS.
Traffic was unrestricted in the east-bound lanes, but did experience a slow down near the fire from curiosity.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/110245
February 29, 2008
Two lanes of westbound Loop 202 are now open in Tempe following an intense cardboard fire.
A tractor-trailer carrying more than 70,000 pounds of compacted cardboard burst into flames while traveling westbound at approximately 9:35 a.m. Friday at the Scottsdale Road on-ramp.
Fire officials said the driver saw smoke rising from the uncovered cargo and was able to drive the truck out of traffic. The driver then detached the truck from the trailer and drove the truck about 30 feet from the flames.
The reason for the blaze is still under investigation, but Tempe fire spokesman Mike Reichling said a discarded cigarette butt from another vehicle could be to blame.
The company which owns the trailer told the Tempe Fire Department that there have been at least two similar incidents in the past in which cigarette butts were the cause.
“Tossing cigarettes out of windows is not only littering, it can be dangerous,” Reichling said.
Firefighters from at least four cities surrounding the blaze responded to the blaze, including Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe and Scottsdale.
Tensions began to rise almost two hours after the blaze started, when it was discovered that there were possibly two 500-pound propane tanks in a storage area on the burning trailer.
“Even though the tanks were thought to be empty, all precautions needed to be taken,” said Sgt. Ann FitzGerald of the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
FitzGerald said for the safety of firefighters and the public, a 200-foot perimeter was set up, closing all lanes of westbound traffic.
At approximately 11:30 A.M., ADOT had been cleared to open the HOV lane, followed by the lane next to it, for traffic. Traffic had been ushered off the freeway at the Scottsdale Road exit and was not permitted to enter the freeway as far back as McClintock Road.
Traffic could be seen at a standstill as far back as Dobson, and cars were parked on the Loop 202 on-ramp in both directions of Loop 101.
“Surprisingly, we’ve had no accidents reported,” FitzGerald said of the increased attention and hazards created.
Traffic is expected to be restricted for hours, as the fire is still being extinguished, followed by a heavy clean-up.
Further restrictions may apply if the freeway is in need of patching, due to damages from the intense flames, according to DPS.
Traffic was unrestricted in the east-bound lanes, but did experience a slow down near the fire from curiosity.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/110245
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