Biography
1985 - Current Palo Verde Nuclear – Emergency Planning Manager/Consultant. Emergency Services Supervisor, Fire Chief, Fire Captain.
1977–1984 Scottsdale Fire Department - Firefighter, Captain, Arson Investigator
1984-1985 Co-Owner – KC Concrete
Business Management – ASU
Reactor Operator/Nuclear Plant Certification
Fire Science AAS - SCC
I have held leadership positions for over 25 years. My professional experience includes: Business Owner, Fire Captain, Fire Chief, Supervisor, and Manager. My civic leadership includes Gilbert Leadership graduate (Class I), Gilbert Leadership Board Chairman and Board Member (3 yrs), Planning & Zoning member, and Town Council & Vice Mayor 11+ years. Have served as Police and Fire Subcommittee Chair, Compensation Subcommittee Chair, MAG Aviation Advisory Council, Budget Review Committee, Municipal Property Corporation Board member, Cable and Public Access Board member, School Board liaison, Chamber of Commerce Liaison and DARE Program Liaison, Assistant District Commissioner, BSA, PTSO member, and various other church and volunteer leadership positions.
Why I am running for Council
Because I love the community and am very excited about the many fantastic opportunities we are experience. I believe there is room for improvement and I would also like to see through the completion of several items and issues. I want to be sure we are poised for long-term success so that my children and grandchildren will have a place they can afford to live in and enjoy their lives. We are the 16th most desirable community to live in within the United States and the 22nd safest community in the U.S. and safest in the State. I want to not only hang onto these evidences of community excellence, but improve on them as well.
Some examples of my civic service and involvement
Fire/Police Chair Chaired subcommittee that set minimum and desired standards for the community. Ensured they were planned and funded. Gilbert now enjoys being the safest community in Arizona and 22nd safest in the United States.
Gilbert Leadership Program Chair Chaired the 1st year of the Gilbert Leadership Program while participating in the class. Graduated with Class 1. Chaired Class II and was a board member for Class III. This successful program is in its 15th year and has graduated tens of dozens of citizens now serving in the community in various positions.
Top issues facing Gilbert and what I plan to do
1. Ensure essential services are firmly established, i.e. fire, police, and water
2. Ensure a vibrant local economy, including the Williams Gateway Area Plan.
3. Ensure we have an efficient transportation system
Work with state and county officials in getting the county islands fire protection issue resolved. Complete the last fire station and rebuild two existing stations. Ensure fire training is available. Work to provide 1.3 police officers per 1000 residents such that pro-active community policing can occur. Secure a 100-year water supply by participating in AWUA agreements and negotiating a long-term water supply with the Gila Indian Reservation.
My plan to stay in communication with industry and business groups
I will continue to participate with the Chamber of Commerce. Continue to meet with large business quarterly to discuss their issues. Continue to develop performance measures for the community services division such that Gilbert does not delay new business. Continuing to meet regularly will prevent miscommunication.
Seeking a balance between government and property rights
Avoid the 'taking' of property by cooperating with property owners to ensure a fair price has been offered. Never 'take' property unless it can't be avoided otherwise and only for essential services, not economic development. Avoid competing with private enterprise where possible; otherwise, partner as much as possible. As the community approaches build-out, bring down property taxes as much as possible. Ask the question frequently when voting; Is this the proper role of government as intended by the founders?
My views on new residential and commercial development
Ensuring consistent and fair standards that are applied equally is important. Balanced residential densities ensure something for everyone and keeps housing affordable. Commercial development is essential and I am very pro-business. The vibrant business community helps to keep residential taxes low allowing residents to spend more at businesses. The two compliment one another and trying to limit or interfere in the free market hardly ever works. Strong sales provide revenues for the payroll of government employees.
Paying for growth and development
New growth needs to pay for its own way as much as possible. But whatever assessments are made need to be applied consistently and fairly. However, it is too easy to begin going to the System Development Fees (new home assessments) trough and take money. Care must be used to ensure it is only used for items that are truly caused by new growth. As the community gets closer to build out, the SDF will get too unreasonable for the few homes left and a transition needs to occur to have needs met by existing revenues streams. Future capital costs should be minimum once the initial infrastructure is in place.
How I differentiate myself from the other candidates
I believe I offer common sense leadership for Gilbert. I will work hard to:
- Keep Gilbert safe
- Improve our roads and transportation system
- Spend our tax dollars frugally
- Keep taxes down
Public Safety
While on the Town Council, has successfully worked to make sure that the safety of the citizens of Gilbert remains a top priority. As a former fire fighter, I understand what needs to be done to ensure our town remains safe. Gilbert now has the lowest per capita crime rate of any city in the metro area.
Transportation
Improving our roads and infrastructure has continued to be one of my top concerns. I know that no one in Gilbert likes being stuck in traffic. That's why I have led the effort to put more resources into building roads and improving transportation in Gilbert.
Protecting Gilbert Taxpayers
Making sure that our town government provides top quality services to Gilbert residents, while spending their tax dollars frugally, has guided me throughout his time on the Town Council. I have always stood up and protected Gilbert taxpayers from attempts to waste their tax dollars and have voted twice in recent years to reduce property taxes.
Keeping Gilbert a Great Place to Live
Gilbert has been named one of the most livable cities in the nation. I am working to keep it that way. I believe that we must all work together to preserve what makes our town a great place to live. It's why I always put the interests of Gilbert residents first. It's what I will continue to do as a voice on the Town Council.
Summary
My strength is that I am able to work with almost any group through any issue. I don't represent radical or extreme views. For example, while navigating through the county fire islands issue, several opponents of the town approached me and thanked me for the way I treated them and offered to assist me in my campaign even though we were on the opposite sides of an issue. I have often said, years after an issue was debated, few people will remember the details of the issue but they will remember how they felt. I think I can negotiate through issues and leave relationships intact and even stronger in some cases. After all, strong relationships are what makes things really work, not being caustic, bureaucratic or implementing more programs.