Opinion

I served my country from 1988 through 1994, in the United States Air Force, but when I was younger, I never told people about my service or acknowledged that I am a U.S. Veteran. After 9/11, as many other Americans did, I revitalized my patriotism and have been heavily involved in veteran causes ever since.

As a police department, we have strived to increase the public's perception of safety and I believe we have accomplished this with the results of the latest citizen survey. While the job of criminal apprehension is the main goal of the police department, crime detection and crime prevention is a partnership between the citizens of Maricopa and your police department.

I'd like to take a few minutes to talk about the matter of Sheriff Babeu's request for some $1.5M of emergency funding from Pinal County coffers for the purpose of creating and equipping a special interdiction squad or "anti-smuggling enforcement unit."

I find it shocking that Frank Gagliardi can run for Pinal County Justice of the Peace in District 8 because he has so many personal issues that relate to his integrity and honesty - both qualities a person needs to be a Judge. 

I am married and a mother of four children. My oldest graduated with high honors from Maricopa High School this past May and is now attending Arizona State University with a scholarship. I have two children attending Pima Butte Elementary and my youngest will start there in the fall. I have been a resident of Maricopa since 2005, and I am an active member of this community, volunteering with several organizations and events.

As we face one of the most difficult times in our state's history, Arizona needs strong and energetic leadership.

As a father of three children, one of them a recent ASU graduate, I understand how important it is to prepare our students for a global workforce and the jobs of the future. That's why this upcoming election is so critical.

The city of Maricopa has never truly had a voice in the Arizona Legislature, but I intend on changing this.  As a resident of our great city, along with my wife and two daughters, I support local businesses as I currently operate a profitable Arizona company. 

I'll give Steve Smith some credit where credit is due. Apparently he's good at directing a talent agency with models and actors. Perhaps that's why he so accurately embodies a famous quote by William Shakespeare: "... a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage ... a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." 

I own a house in Maricopa, attend church in Maricopa and currently have a first grader at Legacy Traditional School.  I am writing to urge all Maricopa Voters to vote YES on the Maricopa Unified School District override. 

I am calling out to all Republicans, Independents, and even disappointed Democrats to take back our country on Nov. 2. We need to start right here in Pinal County, and replace the Democrat leadership that has done everything they can to move the United States into a socialist country.

We are supporting Scott Bartle in his run for the Maricopa Unified School District Board, because we feel Scott is the right man, at the right time, and has the principles and values needed to carry the MUSD into the future. 

Republicans John McCain and Jon Kyl are fighters! They just fought to block unemployment benefits. They intentionally left tens of thousands of folks who have been out of work in Arizona, Pinal County, Maricopa and your street without a way to pay for food, life-sustaining utilities or housing.

In her recent letter to the editor, Rebecca Rios writes "Integrity in public office is absolutely imperative" and then proceeds to lie about both her record and mine.

When you don't have the qualifications, when you don't have ideas or solutions, when you don't have broad support of law enforcement, firefighters, teachers and other pillars of our community, when you haven't visited the district and made yourself accessible to constituents, what do you do? My opponent's answer: Go dirty; lie, spew political rhetoric and hope the mud sticks.

This month is one of those watershed months for us: we all heave a sigh of relief as cool nights and cooler days arrive (and stay!), and we all mark the arrival of fall and notice the changes in license plates as our winter visitors return.

After exhaustive efforts promoting the Maricopa Stagecoach Days Parade (originally scheduled for Oct. 9), utilizing my own personal money, time, and efforts, I was unable to get approval at the city council meeting Sept. 21 to host the parade.

The city of Maricopa once again has shown it is for all age groups in an attempt to provide recreational venues for Maricopans.

In this installment of great reads, I'm happy to say there's something for everyone, so let the journey to literary greatness begin and be inspired by these titles.

First, there is no such thing as "Social Security."

Classes and various types of training may be required for specific career or job, and, as adults, we understand that. Being a parent is a full-time job, one that requires specialized training for us to be successful.

I want to share a story that I am hoping to raise awareness about. On September 13 my children's school, Sequoia Pathways Academy here in Maricopa, had a ceremony named "A Day to Remember, September 11." I was informed this event was to honor rescue workers, police and fire.

Duty called, and Maricopa resident Will Sherwood answered a very unique call.

A good book is easy to find at the Maricopa Public Library.

In this article I will discuss the layers of protection needed to help prevent a drowning from happening to you or a loved one. 

In a recent newspaper article Mayor Smith was criticized for lack of leadership. I have to agree with the article since I don't consider him just a leader, I consider him a good servant leader.

Pinal County Government consulted with the National Research Center in Boulder, Colo. and asked residents for their input regarding services and quality of life in Pinal County.

In July the Maricopa Unified School District governing board voted to ask Maricopa taxpayers - for the third time in 12 months - to approve an override to the district's maintenance and operating budget. I was inclined to support the action then, but am questioning the wisdom of it now.

Credit remediation is a subject consumers often face with fear and trepidation, and for good reason.

Welcome to September everyone: our schools are in full swing, the field of those vying for public office has been narrowed, and the race for the November 2nd General Election is on. As usual there are lots of things to talk about.