Q&A: JP candidate Kevin Taylor

Democrat Kevin Taylor is facing Republican Lyle Riggs and Julia Gusse, an independent, in the Nov. 4 election to be the Maricopa-Stanfield justice of the peace.

What will you do to help turn around the people’s perception of the court after the turmoil it’s been through?
I have lived in Arizona since 1985 and in the city of Maricopa since 2008. In 2012 I ran a strong campaign for sheriff against Paul Babeu, own a security and private investigation firm that has hired approximately 2,000 employees and have been a deputy sheriff, detention officer and held a federal government high-security clearance job while working at an aerospace manufacturing company. I have more than enough experience, understanding of the law, training and education to efficiently organize finances, employees and communications at the Justice Courts. I will fix our broken justice system with problem solving solutions while regaining the public trust.

Citizens need to partake in the transparency process by expressing their views. I believe citizens should exercise freedom of speech to express concerns – this a government "For the People, By the People." When citizens enter the courtroom they should be encouraged to state their case with confidence.

Citizens should never be pre-judged based upon a police report. Citizens should know, and exercise, their constitutional rights. Just because an individual is a police officer or a government official doesn't mean they have "extra rights" – the law is the law, and that is final. If a police report differs from facts a citizen presents in court, that case should be handled in a way that ensures fair justice.

What have you learned through the campaign to date?
I read that Mr. Lyle Riggs explained he had been approached by city officials “in a roundabout way” about filling the city magistrate role. Back door agreements, whether official or unofficial, are unacceptable. Citizens have been voicing their concerns to me regarding this issue, and so I hope Mr. Riggs clarifies what transpired behind closed doors. I believe Mr. Riggs to be a very respectable man who believes in transparency and will do the right thing by settling this issue before the November election.

What separates you from your opponents?
I have lived in the city of Maricopa for six years, studied law, hired approximately 2,000 employees for my security and private investigation firm, have been a deputy sheriff, detention officer, held a high-security federal government clearance job for an aerospace manufacturing company and in 2012 ran a strong campaign for sheriff against Paul Babeu. I have more than experience, understanding of the law, training and education to be an honorable and trustworthy justice of the peace.

What do you like most about your opponents?
I believe everyone wants the city of Maricopa to prosper, and that is what unites us. And in this case we are not opponents, but friends.

What do you like least about your opponents?
Again, we are all here to make the city of Maricopa great, and, in that case, we are united as friends to do the best we can for the city of Maricopa.

What do you think is the biggest issue the area is facing and how do you plan on fixing it?
Corruption and behind closed door meetings and agreements is a hot button issue. There are people who have worked in the system long enough to know how to manipulate government, and this is wrong. Some authority figures tend to intimidate and threaten citizenry in order to discourage them from exercising their constitutional rights, and that bothers me.