Hull to Council: It’s time to tell the truth to taxpayers

An open letter
To: Maricopa City Council
From: James Reynolds Hull, voter, citizen, and taxpayer
Re: Recent development amendments on behalf of MA Maricopa (Legacy Traditional Charter School) (read the notice of claim).

First, I believe in development for Maricopa, but not just for the sake of development at any cost, and I strongly support building the city infrastructure. I believe in the sustainability of education and the power of knowledge for children. However, the MA Maricopa amendments, which the city manager recently proposed, are not acceptable due to the way a deal with the developer is allegedly being negotiated that is not about Legacy School.

For the life of me, I cannot fathom why an all-wise City Hall is caving in to MA Maricopa’s demands, and keeping the truth from the citizens during a city election. Why do you believe it is none of the voters’ business, as to what is really going on?

Second, how many other times has this City Council abused state law and allowed our government to cast secrecy over anything labeled “economic development?”
I do not think informed citizens would sanction a claim that ultimately takes money out of their pockets and into the pockets of the organizers of what appears to be a sham.

Taxpayers do not expect developers, or anyone for that matter, to squeeze their city out of public money to pay for boondoggles or mistakes. I believe most, if not all, voters, citizens and taxpayers expect their government is listening to them and their voices mean something; that everything is not civics-class nonsense, and they are not being taken for suckers.

Third, is City Hall planning to allow any public input on what appears to be Council wanting to hastily spend taxpayer’s money to line the pocket of the principals of MA Maricopa? Isn’t it time for the truth and for open and reasoned discussion before more hard-earned taxpayer’s dollars are spent? Do we need a trial by jury?

Lastly, here’s what a citizen had to say: “Please tell me how I can get involved in removing City Councilmembers. I am shocked at this behavior and won’t tolerate busting my butt to pay taxes so scumbags can steal from our city while our City Council says, ‘bend over for secret deals and corrupt bargains.'”

Jim Hull is a community activist who lives in the Maricopa community of Province. He can be reached at [email protected].

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