| My Turn |
|
| As a resident
of Mesa since 1976, I have seen this community go through
change. Some of the change has been good. As a student
at Mesa High, I participated in the Mayor Youth Council,
a service organization that gave back to the community.
Soon after graduating, I served a mission for my church
in South America where I learned to speak Spanish. I
graduated from ASU in 1993 and shortly thereafter I
got married to a wonderful wife. My wife and I have
3 lovely children who attend Mesa Schools. |
As a business owner, investor and
leader in this community, I’m concerned with the
direction Mesa has taken over the last few years. As
a community, we are a great place to live with many
great assets to offer. We are facing some big challenges.
We will overcome these challenges but it will take leadership
and vision. |
| My vision for Mesa is a place that is vibrant and growing,
a place where Mesa’s downtown is bustling with activity
and where business is thriving. I see Mesa as a destination
place where families come to play and eat. My vision includes
high paying jobs and vibrant aviation centers at Falcon
Field and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway. In my vision, our neighborhoods
are safe and free from crime and drugs. Mesa needs a new
slogan: “A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE, WORK and PLAY”. |
| I believe we can achieve the above by following a very
simple and logical plan of action. That plan begins with
the city spending less than it receives. The city council
needs to review each department and its programs. If they
are not performing a necessary function of government
or are operating in the red then we need to look at reducing
them, the same as you would if you owned a business. |
| By reducing the departments and programs that aren’t
working, we will begin to incur savings. The savings can
then be applied to reducing our bonds which will in turn
reduce our bond payment, which is currently $88,634,784
a year. As Mesa bond payments are reduced, we will begin
to free up additional cash for necessary services. |
| Mesa must attract new and keep the businesses we
have. We must reduce red tape that halts business activity.
We should promote the fact that Mesa doesn’t have
a property tax and create enterprise zones in areas
where business is needed. If tax rebates are offered,
rebates need to be based on new tax revenue or increased
revenue. |
| Mesa’s policy on illegal immigration and the effects
it is having upon our community needs to be changed. Our
police need to be trained in the federal government’s
2879(g) immigration program and be authorized to question
a person’s legal status. Enough of the rhetoric,
it is time for Mesa to take action on this issue and empower
the police to do their job. |
| By addressing the issue of illegal immigration, we will
consequently deal with many other issues in the city;
payday loan stores, crime, gangs in our neighborhoods,
drugs, run down rental properties, auto-theft, and more. |
| I am optimistic about the future of Mesa. When elected,
I will promote smarter fiscal planning, advocate greater
economic development and work to fight crime and illegal
immigration in Mesa. We must ensure that families and
tax payers are put first. |
| I ask you to join me in bringing a fresh start to the
City of Mesa on March 11th. Your vote will make all the
difference. Thank you. |
