Jackson wins Casa Grande elections, Maricopa gains regional partner

Maricopa’s Director of Public Works Bob Jackson beat Jerry Odom by a thin margin in the Casa Grande mayoral election yesterday.

Unofficial votes show Jackson winning 1299 votes to 1233.

“The voters had some tough decisions to make,” said Jackson. “We wouldn’t have gotten here without our great elections committee.”

Although Jackson will forfeit his seat as director of public works for Maricopa, he said that he doesn’t plan to leave the city in a bind. He said that he is working with Maricopa City Manager Rick Buss to find solutions for filling the gap until the position is filled.

“Rick and I have talked about doing some things for the city that aren’t management level, like special projects and consulting work,” said Jackson.

“Hopefully we can keep him on as consultant for a while until we get a new director of public works,” said Maricopa City Manager Rick Buss.

Although Buss said Jackson leaving Maricopa will be a loss to the city, he said Jackson’s new role will be good for the region.

“Bob always sees things from the big picture,” said Buss. “I think he will look for regional development, not just for Maricopa and Casa Grande, but countywide, state wide.”

It will bode very well for Pinal County and central Arizona,” said Mayor Kelly Anderson. “Bob comes to the table with a tremendous amount of experience, economic development, transportation and overall implemental facilities.”

Jackson said there are many things that the two cities and region as a whole can work on together. He said the Hidden Valley Transportation Study, which is looking for ways to bring new roads and freeways into the area, can benefit everyone.

He also said that at some point Maricopa is going to need to get into the animal control business.

“Maybe we can share a regional facility that dispatches our separate city control officers,” he said.

“There are many mutually beneficial things we can do together,” he said.

“The city of Maricopa is excited to work with both Jackson and his council on regional issues.

I look forward to being a part of that,” said Anderson.

There were a total 2,539 cast votes giving Jackson 1,299 with a 51.16 percent and one-time Casa Grande council member Jerry Odom 1,233 votes with 48.56 percent. There were seven write-ins votes as well.

A recount is not expected with a more than one percent margin, according to city officials.