Wade: Leave what ‘could’ve been’ behind

With the primary elections over, I’d like to take a moment to congratulate Anthony Smith on his win in the Republican race for District 4 Supervisor. As a fellow Maricopan, I am looking forward to a spirited debate and conversation regarding our future.

While looking at our future, we first have to evaluate where we stand today. Many of us came to the area with a fresh start and a dream in mind. Instead, for many, our dreams have been deferred, put on hold for better economic times.

Home prices are rising again, but many homeowners are still struggling. Many still feel let down that the dream we were sold on has yet to happen. Business is still struggling, and most importantly, we lack base jobs that would sustain our economy. With high gasoline and utilities costs, many families are hurting and we need to be aggressive in finding ways to keep living in Pinal County affordable.

Our position on the map is perhaps one of the most critical points in the United States. Where Interstate 8 and Interstate 10 meet is the intersection where our economy can begin to grow again. It is the ideal location for manufacturing and industrial jobs. It is a hub for District 4 from which our base economy can grow and expand. Whether it’s through tax incentives, more pro-business regulations, or infrastructure, we have to develop initiatives to bring industry to our region.

In everyday conversations, I hear of people bouncing from job to job. Many have to make a difficult choice, when they work in the Phoenix or Tucson area, pay child-care expenses, pay rising gasoline costs, and then at the end of the day, they have to sit at the kitchen table and wonder what bills they can postpone just so there is food. It is simply unacceptable to continue this way.

Through all this, people continue to fight for their dream. I want to get in the ring and fight along with and for you. I want to offer strong leadership that will provide a spark to our region. I am not looking for a one-way street of political ideology to solve our problems. I am looking to the realities of where we stand, staying within our budgets, yet I want to remain open and aggressive with reclaiming that future we came here for.