Assessor, Sheriff, and Board of Supervisor Candidates Air Views

Maricopa residents recently heard from and about six candidates running for the offices of County Assessor, County Sheriff, and District 3 County Supervisor. The Meet the Candidates Night was sponsored by the Maricopa Community Chamber of Commerce Since 1990, Inc. and moderated by Bill Smale. The event was held at Santa Rosa Elementary School on Thursday, October 7th.

Candidates (left to right) Charles Crawford, Bill Bridwell, Roger Vanderpool,
L. Paul Larkin, David Snider, and Ron Reinagel.

Candidates for County Assessor are L. Paul Larkin, the Democratic incumbent from Casa Grande who has been in office since 1983, and Ron Reinagel, a Republican and realtor from Gold Canyon.

Mr. Larkin spoke about the tremendous growth and change he has seen in Pinal County. “It used to be that the mines accounted for 60 percent of the tax burden but now that’s about 25 percent.” He also cited the opportunity he’s had to embrace technology in the Assessor’s office including the recent elimination of 175,000 paper files. “I’d like to move into the new courthouse. I’d like to leave a legacy,” Mr. Larkin explained. He referred to the Department of Revenue that certifies his appraisers and its guidelines, that his office must follow, whereby property is rated at market value.

According to Mr. Reinagel, the County Assessor’s office lacks organization. “Property is not placed on the tax roles as quickly as it should be. Lots of changes are needed. It starts at the top. The current Assessor’s office has a tradition of over valuating homes and ignoring statutes.” Mr. Reinagel seeks a countywide audit of all property and assessments. “We need to collect revenue so we can bring taxes down. We need supervisory appraisal.”

The race for County Supervisor from District 3 is between Bill Bridwell, a Republican realtor from Casa Grande, who has been a businessman for 30 years and campaigns on the platform of less government, lower tax rates, and more law enforcement. David Snider, his Democratic opponent, is also from Casa Grande and has a lengthy history of service as library director, elementary school district board member, and acting city manager.

Mr. Bridwell spoke about the main points of a good plan for the community of Maricopa.”We need to bring small businesses here. We need to identify new citizens and their skills and partner with Central Arizona College to increase those skills.” Mr. Bridwell also noted that there has been a tax surplus in Pinal County for years but the policy has been to spend it all. He stated, “I’m willing to do all I can to pay back the citizens of Maricopa what the county owes them.” Citing ten years of growth in Pinal County with no general plan, he proposed a moratorium of six months on zoning changes and planned developments until a plan could be formulated.

In regard to a good community plan’s major points, Mr. Snider indicated that such a plan would include good schools, good transportation systems, and a sense of community with partnerships between and among the city, the county, and the local Chamber of Commerce. According to Mr. Snider, high taxes in this county are a result of unassessed growth and many state mandates for health and aid to indigents which are not funded by the state. “Growth needs to pay for itself. The county needs to impose impact fees, and I intend to seek them. The county should be in the business of partnerships and collaboration,” stated Mr. Snider.

County Sheriff candidates are the incumbent Roger Vanderpool, a Democrat and 30-year law enforcement veteran from Gold Canyon who is also a retired DPS commander. His challenger is Charles Crawford, a 34-year resident of the county from Queen Valley, who is running as a Republican without the support of the Pinal County Republican Party.

Sheriff Vanderpool stated that the top problem in Maricopa was traffic on SR 347, the need for stoplights and for more officers to enforce traffic regulations. The most serious problem in the Sheriff’s office is the allocation of manpower. “Allocation is based on calls for service. Since 1998 there has been a 250 percent increase in calls, but the increase in manpower is 7 percent. We need more deputies,” stated Sheriff Vanderpool.
According to the Sheriff, Pinal County covers 5400 square miles with only 154 deputies to patrol that area. “We are stretched thin.” Asked what his main goals would be, the Sheriff responded, “I would continue the Posse, increase block watches which have grown from six to 35, and organize a citizens’ advisory council.”

Mr. Crawford explained that the top problem in Maricopa was drugs getting across the reservation and the county line and the Sheriff’s department allowing it. The most serious problem in the Sheriff’s office, according to Mr. Crawford, is the need for more honest deputies with more dedication. “I have seen nothing but corruption, greed, and mismanagement. We need to get rid of drug dealers and get rid of Mr. Vanderpool. God don’t like liars, murderers, and thieves, and Mr. Vanderpool is all of these.” In regard to his main goals, Mr. Crawford listed a drug abuse center and a forensics lab. “We can’t depend on law enforcement. Citizens need to be armed and take responsibility for their own safety. We need video cameras and volunteer deputies.”

The election for these candidates will be November 2nd. Don’t forget to VOTE!