The Mesa Tribune

1 week ago | themesatribune.com | David Leibowitz

The most recent Gallup poll ranks lobbyists as the least trusted profession in America. Here’s a story that cuts against that narrative. It’s about my friend Gretchen Jacobs, who has worked as a lobbyist for nearly three decades and who spent the past two years fighting like hell to protect Arizona’s schoolkids. Along the way, Gretchen fought the leaders of both political parties, scores of Arizona politicians, and multiple high-powered lobbyists who attempted to stand in her way.

1 week ago | themesatribune.com | Cecilia Chan

Chubby Skewers is bringing street food from the night markets in Northeast China to Mesa at Guadalupe and Dobson roads.  The first Arizona location of a popular barbecue chain in China offers up an array of skewered meats, seafood and vegetables for late-night diners and those looking to take their taste buds on a new experience.  “All the skewers here are fresh that we put out the same day,” said restaurant owner Noel Cheng, who is partnering with the Chubby Group on the concept.

1 week ago | themesatribune.com | Cecilia Chan

Six of the seven Mesa council members last week voted to adopt a tentative $2.79 billion spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year as some residents called for the city to go back to the drawing board and make some more cuts. The budget includes $741 million for capital projects such as for the construction of three new fire stations, a new police substation and purchase of new ambulances; $187 million in carryover and $70 million in the rainy day fund.

1 week ago | themesatribune.com | Cecilia Chan

Scott Butler knows he has some big shoes to fill when he takes over Mesa’s city manager job from a man who’s retiring after 19 years of deftly navigating the state’s third largest municipality through its ups and downs. But he’s up to the task, having worked nearly 21 years for Mesa, most recently as its assistant city manager. Butler assumes his new title June 1.

1 week ago | themesatribune.com | Cecilia Chan

Some of the most notable achievements over the past 19 years in Mesa bears City Manager Chris Brady’s thumb print. The 62-year-old is retiring at the end of this week after shepherding Arizona’s third largest municipality through ongoing growth and economic lows such as the Great Recession and COVID. He’s taking on a new role as a mission leader for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He and his wife will begin the two-year assignment July 1 in Mexico.