Julia Romero Gusse’s responses to additional ‘live chat’ questions

Julia Romero Gusse fielded questions from residents on Feb. 23 as part of InMaricopa.com’s continuing series of ‘live chats’ with the candidates.

Gusse is one of eight candidates vying for a council seat in the March 9 primary election.

The following additional questions were received after the time allotment for the live chat ended:

Question:  Are you in favor of city council members receiving free full health benefits for the performance of a part-time job? For the whole family?
Gusse:  This is an HR issue, but what I am not in favor are council members with full-time jobs with health care that are getting full health care at the city’s expense. It is double dipping – but not illegal. With the issues the country is having with health care, the city should not flip the entire bill.

Question on shared facilities with MUSD.
Gusse:  Shared facilities make sense. I will rebuild those ties with MUSD and assure them that their facilities will be maintained and kept up with city funds if and when the city utilizes them.

Question:  “What makes you say there is not a good relationship now?
Gusse:  There is a good relationship in place; the IGAs (Inter-Governmental Agreements) must continue and possibly be stepped up a bit. I spoke with a school board member, and their main concern was the city’s resistance to keep the facilities up to par and pay their equal share.

Question:  Is Romero your middle or last name?
Gusse: It was my last name before I married and retained it as my middle name when I married.

Question:  Julia, what project do you think the city should go after first with the Question 5 Bond money? And why?
Gusse:  A community center; there is no current programming to keep our teen kids busy during the summer, and our senior groups must have a place to meet.

Question:  Julia, do you feel the city should enforce the e-verify laws with contractors working within the city—landscaping, construction, and such?
Gusse:  When I worked for Rio Salado Community College, I would verify the student’s legal status. These laws should be enforced by the employer. The city has no place in this accountability, but if they are contracting the employer, they should assure themselves that the employer is enforcing such laws.

Question:  Prior to becoming a candidate for council, have you served or volunteered for anything in Maricopa?
Gusse:  Yes, I volunteered numerous hours to various Maricopa organizations. I volunteered over 30 hours last year for a program out of the high school for ELL students. I also collected phones for the “Cell Phone for Soldiers” in various Maricopa locations and managed to get over 4,000 calling card minutes to soldiers overseas. Most recently, I coached a basketball team through parks and recreation with my husband.

Question:  Julia, you stated: “Did you know that there are many city employees with no education, experience or training to perform their jobs that are currently getting paid twice the amount of the salary of a first year teacher in Maricopa?” How do you know what everybody’s qualifications are? And how do you think this bold statement makes the teachers feel about the city?
Gusse:  In my article I indicate “many employees.” I pulled public records requests (that you and any Maricopa citizen can request) and requested their qualifications along with their salaries. Many (once again, I am not stating ALL and do not make a blanket statement) only have a high school education and are getting paid $50 to $70K a year.  Once again, this information you can research for yourself. Teachers must have a B.A. and be “highly qualified” with certifications. Teachers should be proud of their accomplishments regardless of what I say; how they should feel is up to the individual.  Teachers are held to high standards and are accountable for their performance in the classroom, and my comparison was just that – a comparison – with no intentions; each individual can make their own conclusion.

Question:  What will you do to ensure the city serves the residents east of Highway 347 and Porter Road? Currently, due to geography these residents are cut off from development and services.
Gusse:  I do not understand how this cut off took place. This disconnect happened, but I am not certain of the circumstances. If these residents are within the incorporated city of Maricopa, they shall receive all services. I am not certain if this area is under Pinal County’s jurisdiction. I will look into this to better inform myself of this situation. Thank you for this question.

Question:  Is the city manager still overly friendly to all female employees?
Gusse:  I was informed (via e-mail) of the city manager’s past. I cannot attest to this, and will not give my opinion on this matter.

Question:  Are you for, or against the MUSD M&O temporary tax override extension?
Gusse:  As I indicated on a previous question, I am in favor.

Question: So, if you are not elected, you are still unemployed. Will you then sue the city?
Gusse:  I am still unemployed and a full-time graduate student. If I am not elected, this city has not heard the last of me. I will continue to have my presence known. My decision not to sue was an ethical decision, and I will stand by it. My employment status has no bearing here.

Question:  So, if you are elected, you will fire the people that didn’t hire you?
Gusse:  The people that did not hire me for what? I do not think you understand how the council works. If I am elected, I cannot fire anyone just as I cannot hire anyone. The answer to this absurd question is NO.

Question:  Julia, you wear the disabled veteran title like a Medal of Honor. Why not just say you are a vet? Were you disabled in action?
Gusse:  Do you understand for which question I stated that I am a disabled veteran?  This was to state that I include myself as a minority group, disabled citizen and no medal of honor was intended. I am a veteran, and I collect disability through the VA because I was disabled while on active duty. This is my personal medical condition, and it is nothing that I am proud of nor am I embarrassed about it.

Question:  What are your thoughts on Mr. Farrell accepting donations for his campaign from current landowners and business owners? I also noticed that Carl Diedrich is involved in his campaign. Should current council members stay neutral or be involved?
Gusse:  In my opinion, if city employees are forced to stay neutral, city council shall be no different and follow the same “rules” as the employees. Once again, in my opinion, receiving donations from land and business owners should be seen as a conflict of interest. I feel as if this is just another sign of “you scratch my back and I will scratch yours.”

Question:  Julia, you stated that you would not vote for ANY incumbent. Does this include the mayoral position also? If so, who do you support, Potter or Hunt, and why?
Gusse:  My statement was for all incumbents, and I have not made a decision as to whom I will support for mayor.

Question:  Julia, why do you refuse to answer questions on the local forums?
Gusse:  Is this not a forum?  I have answered all questions.

Question:  Julia, how do you feel about the redevelopment district? It is one of the major things that visitors see when driving through Maricopa.
Gusse:  You are right; this is one of the major areas that visitors see, and the city has great plans for this redevelopment. My only concerns are that we must work with the current owners and assure them that the city wants to make every effort to assist them and make this work.

Question:  As a councilwoman, how are you going to bring jobs and economic development to Maricopa. Please be specific.
Gusse:  First, I will make sure that the city’s Economic Development Department gets some help. One person cannot handle the job on her own; she is wonderful, but the expectations are unrealistic. I am currently working on an M.A., and many of the courses are requiring research skills. I am preparing myself for this position, and, if I am not elected, I will continue to make all efforts to bring jobs to this city in another capacity.

Question:  Can you talk about the lack of leadership inside city hall and the amount of lawsuits?
Gusse:  In my opinion, the leadership is to blame for the recent lawsuits. It is no secret that COMPA filed a lawsuit against the city manager and council. If the “chain of command” would have properly followed through, this (and other) lawsuit may have been avoided.

Question:  Julia, do you pay Fry’s to park that van with the large Elect Romero-Gusse signs on it during the weekend by John Wayne Parkway?
Gusse:  No; I do not know of anyone who pays to park at Fry’s, and I hope that you are not getting charged to park there. I also do not pay MUSD when I park in their lots. I am glad you have seen my van; I guess the advertising is working.

Question: Do you put a city center on 347, even when the cost of the property is several more times expensive than other land around Maricopa? That doesn’t make sense to me. Please explain how you can be cost conservative, yet spend money on the highest cost land for our city center.
Gusse;  I am not certain if you are aware that the city has purchased land to build the city center, which is currently in a flood zone. Are you aware how much it is going to cost to get this land out of the flood zone? I did not make the decision to buy the flood zone land that they already have, and if I learned anything from real estate it is this … location, location, location. I am not certain about you, but I think the bare land off 347 is an eye sore.

Question:  Julia, you come across very negative to me. Not everything the current coucil does is negative. Please name three things they do or have done well?
Gusse:  I am sorry that your opinion of my statements seems negative. This is your interpretation. I NEVER stated that EVERYTHING they do is negative. I can name more than three, but since you only requested three things they have done well, here you go: #1 Building a new library, #2 Allowing the veterans to take over the old library, #3 Getting a “dog catcher” in house.

Question:  I would like to see more small business south of the tracks. What would you do as a councilwoman to assure us of new opportunities in this area? Lower assessment, lower taxes what?
Gusse:  I too would love to see more businesses south of the tracks. It seems as if the residents south of the tracks are a bit disconnected from services and businesses. The Economic Development Department must concentrate their efforts in this area, and incentives should be made to assure the bare lots south of the tracks start developing.  Before the economy sank there was a gas station that was due to come into that area; that corridor should be attended to.

Question:  What are your qualifications and or past work experience that will help you in this role?
Gusse:  I worked for all the departments within Development Services for the city of Maricopa. I am well versed on Maricopa’s planning and zoning, permitting, building and safety, GIS; these will all prove to be useful to this position. Before moving to Arizona, I was a program coordinator for a multi-million dollar U.S. Department of Education grant, and I am familiar with grant writing and handling large budgets. I feel that my qualifications and work experience makes me an asset to this position.

Question:  Medical service is in high demand for better jobs in the area. What are you going to do when you get in council to assure us of a hospital here in Maricopa? Will you get a steering committee of city staff and complete the job of getting a hospital?
Gusse:  I understand that the city has taken steps into getting a hospital to Maricopa. If elected, I will follow through and seek this further.

Question:  Would you as a councilwoman develop a customer service call center in city hall to direct and answer questions and complaints from the citizens of Maricopa to all departments including your office?
Gusse:  Better customer service only makes sense. I too dislike being given the run around when I call an office for service, but what I dislike the most is a machine that answers. I would not want to lose the “in person” interaction but would look into better services.

Question:  Having seen you and your family involved in local youth sports groups, how do we move forward with our youth commitment and give them fields to play on, as well as a community center?
Gusse:  My family is passionate about working with kids and sports. It does take a village to raise a child, and I am thankful of all the coaches that I had while growing up. I want to give my kids and all kids in our community an opportunity to flourish and a community center will assure this happens.

Question:  Having worked in city hall I’m sure you saw a lot of misgivings. Was the current city council really in the dark or did they know what was going on with the layoffs, Marty McDonald’s firing, hiring family or friends over qualified people and the police force issues?
Gusse:  I must admit that some were aware of the mismanagement going on and were active participants. I am also confident that on some issues, they have been kept in the dark. The ones that were involved are surely hoping that I do not get elected, and those that were not involved are in favor of my election.

Question:  Would you as a newly elected councilwoman look into the solid waste area of the city, to start operations and charge the developers for X number of homes built = one new garbage truck and one recycle truck and one year of paid mechanical services (one city mechanic for each new truck) to create jobs at the city level we could charge for the services? Take back utilities? Would you consider?
Gusse:  I am not certain how feasible this is, but if it turns out that this would save residents money in the long run, I would be in favor.

Question:  Senior citizens are a big factor in a successful town. How will you support them?
Gusse:  I have said this time and time again. Seniors are the lifelines of a good community.  Seniors have the time and knowledge to provide much volunteer service to our community.

Question:  This morning regarding child predator warning at local school, I heard it was three days before the report went out to the citizens. Do you believe we need to clean up and strengthen the police force?
Gusse:  I am a strong believer on accountability. We should not wait for something to go wrong to take action; this should have been made public immediately. We have seen how terrible things can happen when attention is not taken immediately.

Question:  Do you think the city should have a fleet department to service the city vehicles and the police and smaller fire department vehicles and keep it in house to save money with repairs? If not, do you think the job should go out to bid so other shops or new jobs could be created?
Gusse:  In an effort to reduce costs, the city purchased a street sweeper instead of contracting out. In-house services make sense when a study is made that in the long term  it would be cost efficient. I am in favor of taking measures to save the city money.

Question:  It seems like it takes an election to get the city council and its mayor to get stuff done. How will you represent the people of this city month over month?
Gusse:  I can tell you that I will not wait for an election to get things done. If given the opportunity, I will take off running!  Well, walking at a fast pace (I am not much of a runner; my feet cannot take it).

See the original live chat questions answered here. 

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