San Tan Valley!

I'm getting ready for my third zip code change in 2.5 years, all while staying in the same house!

The change this time, however, is a welcome one because our little unincorporated area will finally have a name - San Tan Valley! I love the name. It's the one I voted for, and it's marks our area's first step toward incorporation. It's exciting being a part of the early stages of this community's development.

I think this is a great area with lots of potential, but I was somewhat shocked and very saddened to see several comments regarding this area that were posted on the local newspaper's message board in response to this area's new name and aspirations.

Comments that reminded me of the snobbish cliques I endured during high school. Comments with no redeeming qualities. Comments that were made soley for cruelty's sake. Comments made by adults who should know better.

Here's a sampling (I'll keep the worst offenders off of my website):

They totally missed the mark! Red-Neck Village or maybe Apache Junction South would have been more suited. Lawless Acres is the real name. Thieves and country bumpkin whanabees live there! Buy a house for more than its worth, then (inappropriate term) about it! Nice!

Ticky Tacky TownshipAdevertising slogan:Featuring foreclosure ghettos, 2 hour commutes and blowing dust. Come join us and be a part of this masterfully planned cesspool.

We do stay away, I don't make it a habit to visit county dumps....

You can't polish a (inappropriate term).

how about BLANCO BASURA VISTAS (translated "White Trash Views")

And there were plenty more derogatory, offensive, racially tinged comments made - presumably - by grown-ups who should know better.

Note to everybody who needs to hear it:

If you make fun of people because of where they live (or what they live in), what they drive, what they can or cannot afford, how well they can or cannot dress themselves or their children, or what their current financial status is, you are one of the worst kinds of people on the planet, and your negativity and hate will poison everything in your life.

For the record, our San Tan Valley has clean air, very nice homes, new roads, shopping, a hospital, golf courses, new schools, parks, incredible views, and dark, night skies perfect for star-gazing. But really, that stuff is temporary, and it doesn't define who I am.

So, I'm going to take the advice of my former mayor and just "shake of da hate"!