Soft ball forum
Much like the District 1 “debate” Tuesday evening, the District 3 meeting was not a debate, but rather a forum. It was also sponsored by the Valley Citizens League, the ASU School of Public Affairs and the Arizona Republic. The moderator was a toned-down, Richard de Uriarte, editorial writer for the Republic. Wednesday’s panel of questioners included Hal DeKeyser, an opinion editor, columnist and publisher with several news organizations, Brad Fergus of ASU’s KAET Channel 8, and Elvia Diaz, an assistant city editor for the Arizona Republic.
Pete Gorraiz, President of the Phoenix Firefighters Association, opened the forum giving reasons to support Prop.1, which increases the sales tax to hire more police and firefighters. There was no opposing position given.
A vote for Prop. 3, innocuously called Home Rule authorizes expansion of taxing authority and was described as being “in the interest of our future.” It was an astonishing surprise to have someone presenting the other side of the issue, unlike the Tuesday night forum. A businessman named Mark Ellis actually said, “I don’t see why government should operate different than business. It’s an easy way out to say we need everything and raise revenues. The budget could be reduced,” he said.
What a novel idea.
The city council candidates were united in wanting to preserve the integrity of neighborhoods in the district, and listed crime as their number one concern. Transportation and protecting zoning was also high on their lists of issues. The candidates discussed reforming the current council configuration with the addition of “at large” seats and an increased number of smaller districts, appearing to agree on the issue.
Jon C. Altmann: Favored some development incentives “for attracting good jobs and people.”
Does not support higher neighborhood density.
On sales taxes: “Elected officials are stewards of other people’s money.
”Naval Reserve Intelligence Command.
On light rail: “The folks in the district don’t connect with it. Let’s see how it works before expanding it.”
Maria G. Baier: Would not have voted for $100 million in incentives for City North.
On the question of increased density, she spoke of “maintaining character and integrity of neighborhoods. ”“Must be constantly vigilant about sales tax rate.”
“Would like to see light rail come to District 3. We’ve made a commitment to it.”
Baier is the sister of Phoenix Fire Chief, Bob Kahn. Listed on Republicans for Janet.
James Mapstead: “Elimination of abatements will impact education funding.”
On density: “It’s a reality; people are coming here. I’m completely against expanding out.” Sales taxes: “How will we maintain the shortfall? Must maintain competitiveness.”
Light rail: “There is actually a dotted line having it end at Paradise Valley Mall.”
James Iannuzo: “City must treat people fairly. I will never support giving money to private developers.”
“Density not necessarily a bad thing“.
“User fees preferable to sales tax.” The rate is too high and needs to be reduced.” Described himself as a “fiscal conservative and social liberal.”
“Light rail is a mistake.”
They were asked whether reversible lanes on 7th Street and Avenue should be eliminated, their favorite place in the district, favorite restaurant, and book. Also, which elected officials they would most want to emulate. Then de Uriarte said they were “all very smart and no matter who wins, the district will be in good hands.”
Maybe. Maybe not.
August 9, 2007 at 5:41 am
[...] Again, debate coverage can be found at Seeing Red AZ. [...]
August 9, 2007 at 9:15 am
The Republic coverage of this important election is practically non-existent. I saw some bios of the supposedly nonpartisan candidates and was amused that the Republic listed their party affiliations.
Certainly blows the cover of this nonpolitical charade, doesn’t it?
Another interesting point is that our oh-so-swell Mayor Gordon, has endorsed a slate in the three districts with contested elections. Nothing like ensuring his leftie efforts are codified. This entire process is a sham.
August 9, 2007 at 1:16 pm
I was just looking for information on the city council races and found this site. Appreciate the information . I thought it was a joke that Maria Baier was listed on the Republicans for Janet Napolitano site, but there she was!
How disappointing! We can all vote as we please and do so in privacy. But to make such a public statement for a liberal when we had a solid Republican challenger, indicates poor judgement to me. I wonder how Maria Baier would feel if a group of Republicans came out publicly for Mapstead? If she had any thought of political aspirations, this was not a wise move. I live in the district and this will be a determiner when I cast my ballot.
August 17, 2007 at 11:42 am
The Center for Arizona Policy has posted its Municipal Voter’s Guides for Phoenix and Tucson on its web site. Sadly, even after multiple contacts encouraging candidates to answer the survey, only a minority of candidates are allowing the voters to find out how they stand on the issues important to families. The survey gives contact information for those who did not want to answer the survey, and residents of Phoenix and Tucson are encouraged to call the candidates themselves to find out how they stand on the issues.
August 19, 2007 at 7:21 am
I’d like to add some of the remarks I also made at the forum and have made to other groups.
Neighborhoods. We should not be entertaining higher densities and high rise in areas that have never been planned fot it. My opponents are open to it. We have a General Plan adopted many years ago. People bought homes and live in neighborhoods with the promise that the established neighborhood would remain residential, not turn into some development fantasy land of large buildings. The City Council should have learned a lesson from 24th Street and Camelback, which resulted in the first zoning case opposed by citizen initiative - and defeated. How loud do Phoenix voters have to scream to be heard?
Policing. I have a degree in Criminal Justice and have worked in the field. I am a public safety consultant and done work across the U.S. I am asking is that for those neighborhoods that want it or need it, we bring in neighborhood policing with officers dedicated to that area, not precinct-wide. The job will be to chase down and push out gangs, graffiti, meth labs and drop houses. They are here now in Council District 3 - we simply need more “boots on the ground” with more police. We are short officers each day - we should not have a recruitment problem for getting officers. I retired recently form a national command staff in the military and recruiting issues are not foreign to me - I have worked with them.
There are pools of qualified applicants deserving to wear our Phoenix Police blue uniform proudly. We simply need to expand the efforts outside Phoenix. We pay well, our cost of living is competitive and we are a vibrant city with lots in this great state to offer. We are underselling ourselves.
Light Rail. I do not intend to spend another dime of the taxpayers’ money on this. The portion that got committed by the voters will be done. Anything new needs to be done by a public/private partnership, not tax dollars. It is an unproven transportation system for Phoenix.
Illegal immigration. Phoenix should not be a sanctuary city to anyone. Period. Gilbert has the right idea. If a Gilbert officer has contact with someone due to traffic stop or other call, and that person cannot prove U.S. citizenship, the Gilbert officer takes them in. We have Sheriff who has said he has the room. If someone is here illegally and then on top of it has done something to warrant attention by the police, then we need to do our part and bring that violator in.
From the start, I have advocated that I will champion a city ordinance to simply state that if someone or a business does business with Phoenix (vendor, contractor, subcontractor - and we have lots), then they must make sworn statement to the City they have checked their employees against the Federal system and tell us their employees are here legally. If the business gets caught with a minor violation, the first time there is a fine and warning. The second time, the business loses its right to do business with Phoenix for a period of three years. Phoenix can do its part and supplement the state law passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor. A city ordinance here will cover those businesses not taken in by the state law.
Of my 22 years service in the Navy and the intelligece community, three of those years were concerned with counter-narcotics intelligence. I know the border issues from an unique perspective. We not only have a clear and present danger, it has moved to our neighborhoods. No other candidate in this can say they have the experience or insight on the crime issues. It is experience I am bringing to help others.
I have been to more than 5,000 doors in this campaign over the past several months. People have two main issues: protect their zoning and do something about the crime. Do more. Not a study, not talk, action.
I have more than 30 years resume of leading neighbhorhood groups. being involved as a city volunteer on committees and services, helping neighbors get more action to their problems and attaining good results for neighbors and businesses. I have met a payroll and a bottom line.
I have been a corporate executive and lead America’ sons and daughters in defense of this nation as a Senior Enlisted Leader in the Navy. I am a parent and husband and proud of my wife Mindy and her sacrifice and support to my public and military service. I am on my parish council and a lector at my church - simply because I believe in helping others and giving back to my community who has given me so much opportunity.
I am a fiscal conservative with both private sector and public sector budget experience. I am a small business person who has been a large corporate business person. I have led 500 employees in the provision of emergency medical services to multiple Arizona communities. I am the national treasurer and chief financial officer of a national veterans’ group and have been working hard to take care of those who have honorably served our nation.
Gerald Ford said we can disagree without being disagreeable. We need to bring that spirit back to the legislative process and grass roots of our government - city government. It’s not rocket science, it is common sense.
Honor, courage, commitment. I have lived those values for decades and took an oath to them. You expect integrity from your elected officials and your deserve it. I have served this nation and our neighborhoods. I have earned the respect of many, I ask for your vote.
August 23, 2007 at 5:27 pm
That’s a lot of space about illegal immigration and other things. Why is none of it in any detail on Altmann’s campaign website?! Doesn’t want to get pinned to it?