Managed Growth & Public Safety Common Goals for Board of Supervisor Candidates

Sep 29, 2004

190

One of the most critical decisions Maricopa voters will make on November 2 is who they want to represent them at the county level. Case Grande businessman Bill Bridwell and David Snider, who recently retired from a career with the City of Casa Grande, are vying for the position of Pinal County Supervisor representing Maricopa and the rest of District 3. The winner will be a key cog in the decision making that shapes Maricopa for generations to come.

src=
The Bridwell Campaign Family.

inmaricopa.com asked Mr. Bridwell and Mr. Snider several questions to better familiarize citizens with the candidates and the issues at hand facing this very important position.

What are the three most critical issues facing this position?

Bill Bridwell:
1. Managed Growth. The Board of Supervisors is approving thousands of lots monthly to be developed in Pinal County with inadequate requirements to ensure that these lots pay their own way when developed. My platform is clear that, when elected, we will put into place a balanced set of initiatives that require developers to pay equitable contributions that cover the new demands on roads, sewer, police, fire, schools and open space amenities. My initiatives will not only cover the capital assets that impact development fees bring, but will levy, through other means, funds to cover the human capital assets necessary to meet this growth.

Additionally, we will encourage developers to extend their efforts to hire local laborers, local sub-contractors, local realtors and to purchase more supplies and materials locally. We also will insist that developers be better corporate citizens and make increased contributions to our charitable and civic organizations. Participating in the communities that enrich them will be an expectation.

2. Economic Development. The future promise of our explosive growth is an expanded work force with skills and education that will attract base employers to open plants in our communities. The County can help expedite that process through partnering with our economic development foundations and the Arizona Department of Commerce. Substantially more effort needs to be made at identifying new skill sets and marketing opportunities in Pinal County to prospective employers.

The new retail and service industry alternatives help make our lives better, but it is base industry that creates jobs and drives our economy. Partnering with Central Arizona College to enhance our existing workforce with additional and upgraded skills will help attract new employment opportunities as well.

My extensive background in business development and entrepreneurship will help drive this effort to success. Pinal County will be the beneficiary.

3. Public Safety. Hand-in-hand with balancing the books on required manpower for the county will come the ability for the Sheriff to stop using all its resources simply policing the new communities and allow the Sheriff to refocus on law enforcement and protection of the citizens.

My initiative to “Declare War on Drugs in Pinal County” will be a consistent permanent effort that will involve not only the Sheriff’s Department, but the County Attorney’s office and our court system. The efforts to stem drug use before it starts in our schools will be redoubled. Resource officers will be increased; seed grants to Boys and Girls Clubs, after-school programming and alternative teen programming will be implemented.

Judge O’Neill’s efforts to introduce “Drug Court” that focuses on rehabilitation alternatives to incarceration will be supported through to a successful conclusion. An interdiction and/or a referral to a system in a segregated facility will be implemented to help our kids find the way to save their own lives.

Finally, total and complete disruption of the supply chain will be pursued patiently, persistently and endlessly. Drug dealers and other “bad guys” will be dealt with.

David Snider:
1. Balance Growth. We do this by instigating impact fees for public safety and roads at a minimum … and we set the fees at such a level as to fully cover the cost of infrastructure for new development. We do this by adopting a proactive position in the economic development arena in partnership with our local economic development organizations and the residential/commercial development community. We do this by working more closely with the County’s P&Z Commission and reverting zoning when development doesn’t take place and we coordinate our land use decisions with local P&Z entities. We do this by making sure that our tax rates continue to fall while new growth pulls its weight.

2. Public Safety. We do this by instigating impact fees for public safety (cars, equipment, communications systems, etc.). We continue to explore possible partnerships with cities and towns along the lines of mutual aid agreements and contractual coverage such as was recently implemented in the City of Maricopa. We do this by developing partnerships with local flood control entities and creating a Master Plan for Flood Control for the County and then coordinating regional solutions to these disasters waiting to happen.

3. Expanded Transportation Systems. We do this by working with cities and towns to convince voters to reauthorize the existing ½ cent sales tax for roads – a tax which made $1.2M of road construction possible in District 3 this year. We do this by continuing the partnerships with developers that will result in the extension and paving of 5½ miles of Val Vista Road without tax dollars being used. We do this by instigating impact fees for roads and using those revenues to connect paving to paving. We do this by seeking collaborations with local health care providers, developers, social service agencies and federal grants to create systems for moving residents to the resources they need to live and enjoy a minimum quality of life.

Why should voters check your box on November 2?

Bill Bridwell:
My commitment to Pinal County is trans-generational. My wife and I have children who work across the county from Florence to Maricopa. Our grandchildren are being raised here. My family, like your family, live here, love here, work here, play here and have invested our future here.

David Snider:
I am running for the District 3 Supervisor’s seat because it’s a time of change and growth. My decades of involvement with our local and county community at every level testify to that commitment to you and our need to meet the challenges of the 21st century head-on.

Name two redeeming qualities your opponent possesses.

Bill Bridwell:
David is a dedicated lifelong government employee who has earned numerous accolades for his service to various levels of government. He has knowledge of the inner workings of our complex county bureaucracy.

As part of his obligation to provide detail to several Casa Grande City Manager’s, David has been nicknamed “Water Guru”. He has recall of the specifics of water management developed by a multitude of agencies.

David’s experience in governmental bureaucracy and his knowledge of water law should provide him an opportunity for employment in Pinal County after the elections.

David Snider:
I want to applaud Mr. Bridwell for his willingness to run for political office … it is never easy to put yourself in the line of political scrutiny. His expression of commitment to the Pinal County community is laudable and commendable. Win, lose, or draw, I’m sure he’ll continue to give of himself to the community.

For more information on Mr. Bridwell and Mr. Snider, visit: