The death of a Maricopa County Superior Court judge has led grieving friends, family, co-workers and neighbors to flood online guest books where they are sharing warm memories of him.

OUR VIEW: Mesa voters have looked beyond the dismal state of the local economy to embrace a marquee business and tourist destination as an anchor for the visionary development proposed for the GM Proving Grounds.

The current economic crisis could actually spur Mesa voters to support a $51 million bed-tax incentive for two resort projects near Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, according to independent political consultants and project supporters.

In the words of a Maryland tourism official: "Count your blessings, Mesa." That's the message from Mary McCulloch, president of Maryland Tourism Council, and also echoed by other tourism promoters in cities where Gaylord Entertainment of Nashville, Tenn., most recently established its mammoth resort and convention centers.

Gaylord Entertainment Co. of Nashville, which plans to build a massive hotel and convention center in Mesa, has slashed 350 positions as one of several efforts to cut costs.

The design of the proposed Gaylord resort and convention center in southeast Mesa is inspired by Spanish and Mediterranean architecture.

Mesa is doubtful the long-delayed Gaylord resort will be built after learning the hotel developer is selling its brand to lodging giant Marriott International Inc.

Gaylord Entertainment’s plans for a massive hotel and conference center in Mesa got a boost with an announcement that it plans to raise $380 million.

The result wasn't unexpected, but the margin caught everyone's attention.

Mesa voters gave a resounding thumbs up for what would be Arizona’s largest resort hotel and convention center northeast of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.

The promise is as big as it gets. A ritzy hotel and convention center on prime southeast Mesa land, the biggest in Arizona. One million visitors annually drawn from outside the state. Thousands of new jobs and millions of dollars in Mesa's depleted coffers.

The current economic crisis could actually spur Mesa voters to support a $51 million bed-tax incentive for two resort projects near Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, according to independent political consultants and project supporters.

Evidence of a $51 million election can be seen in Mesa. Campaign signs are going up on street corners seeking voters' support of a plan that would allow the Gaylord hotel and a neighboring resort to keep bed taxes generated at the site.