Kimball: Why I’m running for city council

I am running for the Maricopa City Council because I firmly believe the citizens of Maricopa deserve leadership that has the community’s best interests foremost in their minds at all times. If elected to a seat on our city council, I will be one who, above all else, will always make decisions in the best interests of the city, our citizens and our future.

I have a strong economic mindset for development while maintaining a “gate keepers” attitude about taxpayer dollars. Far too often, our hard-earned dollars paid in taxes are squandered on unnecessary studies, surveys, consultants and programs to “tell” us what we already know — economic development then sustainability is critical to Maricopa’s future. More businesses, more jobs, more entertainment opportunities in a safer environment for our citizens can and should be goals we all strive to achieve.We need to remove unnecessary barriers that impede economic growth, and we need to provide a stable and predictable business-friendly environment.

I am an advocate for the sustainability of small business and helping those businesses thrive as they bring revenue and jobs into the community. If elected, I will take the initiative to bring economic development and growth to our city and make every effort to help bring jobs and much needed entertainment to Maricopa.

At the same time, I intend to make sure our hard-earned dollars stay within the city. As it stands now, Maricopa has the highest utility rates in the state. We also have high gas prices and an astronomical number of foreclosed homes sitting vacant. This is not and should not be acceptable or tolerable.

The majority of us must commute to work elsewhere to the extent Maricopa has nearly become a bedroom community. Communities are not cities. We are a city with communities within that city. We need to be a self-sustaining city, not a bedroom community where our citizens are spending their precious time and money elsewhere.  

Attracting more business that brings more jobs to our community will keep more people in Maricopa. Better entertainment and activities for our families and children will do the same. A highly trained, superbly equipped and diligently organized and fiscally responsible public safety program will do likewise.

In regard to pubic safety, we will no longer be the training ground for our excellent police and firefighters who wish to flee elsewhere for higher pay and more chances for advancement. As a result, Maricopa will be safer for our citizens and Maricopa police and fire will be attractive for a wide variety of highly qualified applicants. Currently, many of those applicants look not to Maricopa but toward Phoenix, Tempe, Chandler, Mesa and other of our nearby sister cities.

I think if I were to ask you, our citizens, what would keep you in Maricopa many of my proposals in fruition would be your answers. I have already taken the time speaking with a variety of economic directors from nearby municipalities. From those talks and in speaking with many of you it has become clear to me the path Maricopa must take. I’ve outlined some of those paths above.