March 9 decides what Maricopa will look like for years

The recent candidates’ forum sponsored by the Maricopa Chamber of Commerce and local media was inspiring. I was proud to be an American and see how easily we can challenge and wrestle with common issues and beliefs. Each mayoral and city council candidate did themselves (and us) proud in stepping up to the plate and batting for what they believe with passion.

How do we select community leaders?

Recent turnouts for elections have been less than enthusiastic in their low numbers. Do we not care, or think that our vote does little good?  It could not be further from the truth. 

We live for years with the results of each election.

Some may utilize the March 9 election as a statement to coincide with the recent momentum generated from opposing local utilities.  My concern is that voter anger and frustration will find its way to the ballot box and not the researched, educated vote that is so critical at times like this.

Allow me to share some thoughts as you go to the polls this year. I encourage you to take your vote seriously and make the best choice for what YOU believe our community needs:

Leadership:
The challenges which our community faces demands real leaders to provide wisdom and passion. Leaders are masters at surfacing the best choices through the environment they create. They have a compelling presence that exudes credibility and integrity. The type of leadership that we need is in casting a vision that captivates the imagination and hearts of Maricopans. I challenge our candidates to surface a vision that takes us beyond our issues. Issues will come and go, and they must be handled wisely, but they will be replaced with new issues, which we have not even heard mentioned when we go to the polls. Leadership is much more than DOING activities or attending grand openings and city functions.  It is about BEING the kind of person that is worthy of follow ship and trust. 

While the candidates for all positions have demonstrated concern and passion for our community, I am waiting for one or more of them to create the vision of which I spoke above. We need you now to lead us to the community that we can be, and it begins with a dream of something bigger than any individual or group. We are . . . and we are becoming . . .?  I believe and am looking for the cream to rise to lead us to greater days.

Competencies and Presence:
Many desire to serve, and the mere fact that they step out and place themselves up for critical inspection by their neighbors is indeed a commendable action. Yet it takes more than placing a name into consideration to lead our city from the position of Mayor or member of the City Council. What should we be seeking for qualifications?

· Motivation:   Be curious about the deeper reason behind why each candidate is running for his or her office. Is there a score to settle? Are they living out a life of complaint? What is in their track record to convince us of their passion for community service? There should be no hidden agendas, no personal gain and no feeding of egos for anyone being considered for public office.

· Wisdom:  This is not a competency that is assigned to age, yet depth of experience does greatly contribute to knowing how to use wisdom. What is in the track record of each candidate that supports them being able to offer a sustainable contribution over their term? The language of complaint or even criticizing the obvious shortcomings of our community is not a strong qualifier for any of these positions. Anyone can complain or point out a vulnerable area for public opinion. Wisdom should be evidenced through a track record of providing solutions. Leaders who excel in our society are those who invite critical assessments, but their focus and demands are upon finding and developing solutions. As you and I consider our leaders, listen for solutions and not sound bites that excite for a moment but do little to address the underlying needs of our community.

· Leadership Presence:  Scientists tell us that over 90 percent of communication is non-verbal.  This is one time when each of us needs to pay deep attention to non-verbal communication in our candidates. Look long and hard at each candidate and consider them sitting down before congressional or executive leaders around our state or in Washington DC. Do you see their presence being a winning representation of how you want others to see our community?  Leadership presence is something that is intangible yet very vital to success. It is grounded in character, but experience has settled into the leader in such a way that they deliver confidence in what they have to share. Their presence is open and inviting and not filled with meaningless rhetoric. When you cast your vote think about the ones you are empowering and how they will represent both you and our city.

· Leadership Competencies:  As you give thought to your vote, I invite you to consider how each one measures in the basic competencies needed in a leader. These are initiative, risk taking, creating/innovating, analytical thinking, decision making, planning, quality management, communicating, listening/supporting, teamwork, achieving goals, customer/citizen focus, business awareness, learning orientation. We are a young city, but we need depth in our leaders to create the future we are worthy of having as a city.

· Management:  When one takes into consideration the annual budget and the funds from bonds that voters have approved, these leaders will have authority and responsibility for somewhere around $100 million. That is a LOT of money! Which candidates have the demonstrated experience and success in handling large budgets?  When city staff (who are some of the best of the best) come to them for approvals, what is in their background to understand the requests and even know the right questions to ask? These are not positions for neophytes but mature business leaders who have been exposed to the challenges of major budgets in the periods of challenging economies.

Spread the word and let’s see a 50 percent voter turnout for this election. (Would like to say 100 percent, but 50 percent would be a huge increase from previous elections.) Whoever you decide to vote for this year, VOTE.  It is a simple process that is vital to what tomorrow will look like in Maricopa. 

Hard copy forms are available in city, county and state offices or libraries. The Recorder’s Office will mail you a form if you call and request it at 520-509-3555 or click here. You can also go to www.servicearizona.com and complete a form electronically. The deadline is Feb. 8 for registering to vote in the March 9 election.  You can also contact the Pinal County recorder’s office for a mail-in ballot.

See you at the polls!

Jim Rives is citizen of Maricopa and an Executive Coach to individuals, small businesses and Fortune 500 companies as the CEO of Executive Leadership Institute LLC.  He can be reached at 520-568-6442 or [email protected].

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InMaricopa.com runs, on a regular basis, opinion pieces submitted by community members. The following article is the opinion of the author, and does not necessarily reflect the views of InMaricopa.com. Have an opinion you’d like to share with Maricopa? Please email it and any applicable photos to [email protected] for consideration.