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Sunday, March 29, 2020
Mesa prepares for dire city service cuts BY JIM WALSH Tribune Staff Writer
THEMESATRIBUNE.COM
INSIDE
This Week
COMMUNITY ....... 12 Mesa restaurant now offers groceries.
P
arks, museums, libraries and the Mesa Arts Center likely will become the first casualties of Mesa’s financial crisis from the recession wrought by the COVID-19 epidemic. All city facilities that were closed to reduce the corona virus spread would likely stay closed until October, cancelling all summer programs and cultural programs through the long hot summer ahead. That grim scenario – echoing Mesa’s nearcollapse wrought by the 2008 Great Recession – was detailed during a briefing to City Council last Thursday as officials discussed preparations for the economic damage inflicted by COVID-19. “This is a sad scenario,’’ Mesa Mayor John Giles said, after City Manager Chris Brady and budget director Candace Cannistraro de-
see FINANCES page 8
Thanks to assistance from the National Guard, hundreds of food boxes were distributed by United Food Bank Friday at the Mesa Convention Center, but supplies may be a problem sooon. See page 3. (Pablo Robles/ Tribune Staff Photographer)
Virus adds urgency to growing homeless crisis
BUSINESS .............. 14
Housing market bracing for virus. COMMUNITY ................ 12 BUSINESS ....................... 14 OPINION ......................... 16 SPORTS ........................... 18 PUZZLES ........................ 19 CLASSIFIED .................... 19
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BY JIM WALSH Tribune Staff Writer
T
he COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a spotlight on the growing homeless problem in the East Valley, bringing a new urgency to helping a highly vulnerable population that includes the elderly. With homeless counts soaring and street people becoming a daily sight at freeway exits and elsewhere, East Valley mayors are collabo-
rating and appealing to Gov. Doug Ducey for help in solving the affordable housing crisis. Mesa Mayor John Giles cited the Legislature’s appropriation last week of $50 million for Gov. Doug Ducey to address social problems – including homelessness – arising from the pandemic. “We’re already bugging the Governor’s Office about what we need to do to get in line for that funding,’’ Giles said last week. “I am concerned about the homeless in our
community and I did ask about the distribution of these funds on a recent call with the governor’s office,’’ Giles said in subsequent statement. “I requested that these funds support local organizations that are providing food security and shelter during the crisis.’’ Mesa City Manager Chris Brady said the Council is scheduled to consider a proposal by Deputy City Manager Natalie Lewis next week
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see HOUSING page 9