Mesa dispute over Ricardo's: restaurant or bar designation
Johnson faces city and state scrutiny over whether Ricardo's Pizza and Spirits on Southern Avenue and Mesa Drive is a restaurant or a bar. Councilman Stapley and a liquor inspector argue it looks like a bar with nightlife features. Johnson contends he meets the restaurant food-sales threshold to stay licensed. The episode reflects Mesa's strict liquor rules rooted in family-friendly zoning and Mormon heritage, with calls for clearer guidelines from officials.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ich Johnson
Mesa
Jim Stapley
Johnson
Ricardo
Southern Avenue
Mesa Drive
Stapley
State Liquor Board
Liquor Board
Joan Newth
Denny’s
Prison reform over flashy punishment in crime debate
A columnist criticizes Gov. Symington and GOP rhetoric arguing prisons should emphasize education, job training, and rehabilitation over hardening conditions. They urge drug treatment, victim empathy, and conflict management for inmates to reduce recidivism, noting such reforms cost more but offer real safety benefits.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Symington
Arizona
Monorail for Valley Transit Urged in Letter
Virginia Schaefer, Mesa, argues that rapid transit should be the top Valley priority funded by public dollars for all ages, while a baseball stadium should be privately financed. She warns of traffic, pollution, and future mass arrivals after earthquakes and cold snaps, urging planning today for a monorail.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Phoenix
Los Angeles
Virginia Schaefer Mesa
Gov Symington’s voucher plan sparks church state clash
The speaker asserts Gov Symington seeks to upend separation of church and state by proposing state funding for parochial schools. Vouchers for students who dislike public schools could erode democracy built on public education. Legislative opposition urged to avoid public funds for private schools.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Symington
Intrusive questioning during car theft report alarms resident
A Tempe woman reported her car stolen from a carport and noted police asked her to share extensive personal details such as age race height weight hair and eye color. She questions why victim demographics were needed versus the theft information. The officer gathered basic vehicle details including make year model and color.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tempe
Communication key to successful health care
A letter urges two way physician patient communication after a misdiagnosis scenario. A woman labeled Sarah sought care for abdominal pain and a mass, was repeatedly dismissed, then referred within an HMO. An alternate doctor found a metastatic cancer diagnosis, prompting surgery and chemotherapy, highlighting the need for listening and questioning in care.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sarah
Paid for Workers program proposal for welfare reform outlined
The author proposes a Welfare assistance plan where recipients work for hours to earn benefits, with employers matching hours to create full time positions paid at prevailing rates. Inmates and some groups receive no pay, but earnings could count as time served or restitution. The plan envisions community service, parenting skills, elder care, and construction roles to benefit society and reduce crime.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
PFW
Pfws
Public funds for stadiums should face voter consent
A speaker argues against a temporary Maricopa County tax to fund a major league baseball stadium, contending the venture benefits few and amounts to taxation without representation. The Coalition for Major League Baseball is accused of overstating public profit, urging the coalition to offer residents stock options or bonds instead.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Maricopa County
Coalition For
Major League Baseball
Also Mentioned on This Page
Berry's
Tribu Newspapers
Michael A. Lausa
Sanford Schwartz
Jeffrey C. Bruce
Jim Ripley
Bob Schuster
Hal Dekeyser
Susan Keaton
Dan McCarthy
Katherine Barriss
Liz Merritt
Doug Maceachern
Linda Kelley
Scottsdale
Chandler
Gilbert
Mike Ritter
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