Martin Luther King Jr. Day has struggled to even exist in Mesa over the years, and now the holiday faces another tough uphill battle.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day has struggled to even exist in Mesa over the years, and now the holiday faces another tough uphill battle.

All it took to save the Mesa Veterans Day Parade were a few articles in a newspaper. Within only a few weeks, money poured in to help the parade get off the ground again, and although they have only a month left to plan, volunteers are confident the parade will happen in November.

All it took to save the Mesa Veterans Day Parade were a few articles in a newspaper. Within only a few weeks, money poured in to help the parade get off the ground again, and although they have only a month left to plan, volunteers are confident the parade will happen in November.

As the Mesa MLK Celebration Committee prepares to unfold five wonderful events this weekend for the East Valley to reflect on the life, legacy and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., our hearts are filled and plates aren't as full.

John R. Goodie, guest commentary

Football coaches and their players have a special bond that lasts a lifetime and memories that go beyond that. The same could be said about the men and women who are sworn to protect and serve as police officers.

By John R. Goodie, guest commentary

I've been writing columns since 1999 and have written on a wide variety of issues, controversies and noteworthy stories. This is one of two that I've struggled with; the other one was when I lost my hero, my mother, in 2002.

John Goodie: Police Chief George Gascón was indeed one of Mesa's most celebrated and high-profile individuals, and many were delighted that Mesa finally went outside the box to acquire new leadership and direction. City Hall knew early on Gascón needed to shake up things, which he wasted no time in doing. Many grumbled about the changes but stayed the course and realized after time that this new direction was needed.

The upcoming 2009 Martin Luther King Jr. holiday celebration on Monday will have energy, symbolism and honor fitting for a king, no pun indented.

With the recent airing of the anti-meth program “Crystal Darkness,” this commentary might be appropriate. I recently attended my first 12-step meetings for recovering alcoholics and addicts at a Tempe church.