To the editor,

Purple. That’s how I see this county — as a reflection of blue and red and other independently minded individuals all wanting to strive to live in an affordable and better community.

Maricopans have been hamstrung with State Route 347 for years under previous administrations but today we must look forward and work through resolving SR 347 issues once and for all. My name is George Arredondo, and I have worked with Army, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard service members throughout my 22-year Naval career. We may poke fun at each other, but at the end of the day, we work as one team under the joint colors of purple and we will not let anyone cross our team … our country.

We cannot afford to be short-sighted and just look at one red community that believes it can dictate what is in the best interests of themselves, while negating the rest of the district and county. More importantly, Maricopans desire to live in an affordable community without the hassle.

We must break this mindset.

The rural areas of this district — Maricopa, Coolidge, Ak-Chin and Gila River Indian Communities — are all diverse and they all have unique interests and issues. I’m proud to have been born and raised here in Pinal County and having lived here the last 59 years of my life, when not serving my country abroad. That experience of living here will make me an effective supervisor to work with the other supervisors in this county to ensure we manage our growth, so our infrastructure supports the needs and wants of our community resulting in relieving us of the gridlock, traffic accidents and congestion that we experience today.

Our rural communities need to be looked after, and we need to protect their interests, open space and property values. This benefits all those who enjoy the drives and recreation next to where we live. We need to ensure that planning and zoning adhere to the designated plans of these communities and not change just on a whim. We need to look strategically down the road, managing expectations, while charting our future!

To move forward we must work together to address everyone’s concerns and plan for the future so that we have a future where we can enjoy our days here and proudly pass on what we leave to the next generation. There is no doubt the county will continue to grow. It’s important that we are properly prepared for that growth.

We can only be prepared if we take active measures to improve our infrastructure, ensure adequate water supplies to support that growth, without compromising those that live in these rural communities’ sustainability with their own existing infrastructures. I offer my knowledge, experience, education and dedication to the success of our district and the communities within.

When we look at the district and county as a whole, that’s when our communities will be able to sustain and support their own destiny. I served 22 years in the Navy Reserves with three combat tours, and I always represented my country — not just Arizona, not just Pinal County, not just Coolidge, but all Americans. I will represent the whole district without tunnel vision. I will be elected by those of all sides … I will represent the color purple … one team … one district … one county.

My name is George Arredondo, and I ask for your vote!

George Arredondo Sr., Democratic nominee for Pinal County supervisor in District 1