MPA is urging the public and members to vote YES on Questions 1 & 2 this November.  You will see MPA signs around Mesa that look like this: MPA Question 1 & 2 Sign

The bonds vote will:
*Provide new police/fire stations and equipment
*Much needed streets
*Reduced emergency response times
*Requires independent audit
*Mayor and Council cut proposed spending by 58%

To find out more information, go to: www.yeson1and2.com

Or Click here for informational mailers sent to voters:

Question 1 & 2 Mailer

Question 1 & 2 Brochure

Lady: MCSO traffic stop was prompted by Canadian flag sticker

See the Video at AZFamily.com http://www.azfamily.com/news/specialreports/immigration/stories/scottsdale-local-news-091608-canada-flag.832c9059.html#

SCOTTSDALE — For Todd and Gia Rooker, life was picture perfect in their Scottsdale home, but they wanted more.

“You grow up hearing about the U.S. being the land of the free.”

After more than a decade as temporary residents, the Canadian natives became U.S. citizens in May.

But now they have second thoughts.

“All of a sudden I see the sheriff car behind me and his lights are going,” recalls Gia.

Gia says she was pulled over on the corner of Tatum and Dynamite Sunday as a Maricopa County Sheriff’s Deputy approached her car.

“So he says do you have a green card? And I said no, I do not have a green card. And he said well step out of the vehicle.”

Gia also said he asked no other questions - “he didn’t ask me what my name was, he didn’t ask me for my license, didn’t ask me for proof of insurance, speeding, broken tail light… Nothing. The first thing that came out of his mouth was do you have a green card?”

Gia suspected the Canadian flag on the front bumper of her Land Rover provoked the stop, but that her Italian dark skin and eyes made her more of a target for interrogation.

“He wouldn’t have pulled over a blonde hair, green-eyed person and asked them for their green card.”

And even though she had a driver’s license, Gia says the deputy never asked for it.

It took her passport, her American passport, to prove she was American before a supervising deputy pulled up and intervened.

“He didn’t even ask me any questions, he didn’t even bother looking at my passport. It’s probably because he knew what they were doing was wrong.”

Gia still doesn’t know why she was stopped.

The Rookers say they never figured living in the land of the free came at this kind of cost.

“To me that goes against everything that this country is all about, and quite frankly it’s scary.” Gia adds “yeah, it is racial profiling. I’m sorry. Would he pull me over if i looked different? I don’t think so. I’m a caucasian. My family is italian. If this can happen to me, it can happen to anybody that looks like me.”

Family Health Coverage Premiums Rise to $12,680 Annually, With More Workers Facing High Deductibles, Benchmark Study Finds
Premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance rose to $12,680 annually for family coverage this year, with employees on average paying $3,354 out of their paychecks to cover their share of the cost, according to the benchmark 2008 Employer Health Benefits Survey released by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Research & Educational Trust. In addition, the scope of coverage has changed, with many more workers now enrolled in high-deductible plans, only some of which support a tax-preferred savings option such as a Health Savings Account.

More info available at the Kaiser Family Foundation Website:

www.KFF.org

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0svSNmawgQ8

Officer Barry Scott #8851 out of Maryvale Precinct was critically injured while participating in a charity boxing event that was held at the Fort McDowell Casino on Friday September 12.

The event was staged as a fundraiser for the 100 Club of Arizona, an organization dedicated solely to providing financial assistance to families of police and firefighters injured or lost in the line of duty.

Although only 22 years old, Barry is a veteran who just recently returned from an 18 month deployment to Iraq with his Army National Guard Unit.

On Tuesday September 16th the decision was made to take Barry off of life support and he passed away at that time.

Our thoughts, prayers and support go out to Barry and his wife, his 5 week old son, his family members and fellow officers.

Click the link below for September’s MPA Newsletter!

MPA September Newsletter

Radio host blasts widow of fallen police officer

by Fay Fredricks - Aug. 25, 2008 09:48 PM
12 News

It may be just the latest signal of how nasty and deeply divisive the battle over illegal immigration has become in Arizona. A Phoenix talk radio host unleashes an attack on the widow of a fallen police officer. Now, that officers colleagues are turning the tables and going after the radio host.

Officer Nick Erfle was only 33-years-old when he was gunned down by a suspected illegal immigrant gang member after stopping a couple for jaywalking. His widow, Julie, was left to raise their two young boys alone. She has since taken up the issue of ‘Comprehensive Immigration Reform”, even going to Washington to support legislation to promote it.

Critics of that policy, including KYFI’s Bruce Jacobs, call it ‘amnesty’ for illegal immigrants. But, he took his criticism one step further. He told his listeners he was ashamed of Julie Erfle, saying, “I’m sure if her husband were alive today knowing how his legacy is going to be used or his memory is going to be used to further the cause of the very thing he took an oath for, to uphold the law, he would be ashamed of you.”

Now, other officers are rushing to Julie Erfle’s defense. Nate Gafvert is vice president of the Mesa Police Association. Of Jacobs, he said, “you cold heartedly attacked a hero’s wife and family.” Nick Erfle’s former co-worker, Sgt Pete Marconi, added “your attack is the worst of yellow journalism.”

Jacob’s critics want a written and on-air apology. Jacobs says he has “unbelievable sympathy” for Julie Erfle and her children as individuals, but stands by his criticism of her politics.

September 8th
Membership/Board Meeting
MPA Office