Don’t oust Haddad for nebulous change

This past year has been the most volatile for Maricopa in its young history as a city.

Our economy is in a down turn, we are seeing our neighbors and friends lose their houses to foreclosures, developers are going bankrupt and closing down whole subdivisions and we have had significant changes in city management.

However I remain completely optimistic for our future, our city is still very young and there is a lot to do in the next few years. Maricopa has a great future.

I have wholeheartedly supported the re-election of Councilman Kelly Haddad, not because of some “good old boys club” (I’ve only lived in Maricopa for a few years and Kelly has only been here for about five years) but because I think that Kelly has the vision and direction that is needed to keep this city moving in the right direction.

During this election we have heard a lot of what I call “focus group” terms like “the need for change” or “the need for transparency.” These are terms that don’t have a lot of meaning; they just try and get your attention.Change is not good just for change’s sake. Kelly has always put the citizens of Maricopa ahead of his own interest. Kelly has the financial background to grasp the budgetary issues we are facing and foresight to plan for the future.

I support Kelly because he has the understanding of what is important for Maricopa and he has cultivated relationships with regional leaders in an effort to further Maricopa’s interests. I wonder if the newcomer candidates can name any of the members of the Ak-Chin or Gila River Tribal Councils, or even the members of the Pinal County Board of Supervisors. These are the very governmental entities that Kelly has been working with for the past four years in an effort to improve Maricopa.

Unfortunately there is a lot of false information posted on the Forum under the cloak of anonymity. I suggest talking to people who are not afraid to put their names to an opinion.

Why are we so quick to believe what an anonymous personality says? Talk to those who know the candidates and those who do business with the candidates, and I’m sure you’ll find that Kelly is always held in the highest regard.

I encourage everyone to turn out and vote. Show your support for the City of Maricopa and for Kelly Haddad.

Joe Estes is a member of the Maricopa City Council.

Have an opinion you’d like to share with Maricopa? Please email it and any applicable photos to [email protected] for consideration. For more details, click here.

File photo