Homestead resident announces bid for city council

I have decided to run for office because I am concerned about what has not changed and the broken promises that all citizens have to endure.

Such as the many businesses that have decided not to build here or have stalled such as the Holiday Inn Express, The Home Depot, Mountainside Fitness and many others.

There also have been no solutions for the under/overpass of State Route 347 and the railroad tracks. There has been much discussion over the years, yet Maricopa is slowly progressing. I am thankful that the Banner Health Center is now under construction, but we can do better.

I have lived here for five years and I have seen what has happened over that period of time. Now I have decided to run for City Council to make Maricopa a better place.

One of the major issues I have seen over the years is the ready-to-build sites around town and the empty commercial lots which have remained dormant for many months, if not years. There is progress occurring, but at a slow rate.

Maricopa can attract new businesses, which would create jobs and allow more people to work locally rather than having to commute to the metropolitan area. That is what competition is all about. Maricopa has to become more competitive to attract all types of businesses, from small businesses to manufacturing as well as big businesses.

Yet, something is not allowing this to happen. I believe that taxes and fees are too high to attract more businesses to the area. I believe that the answer is to lower these taxes and eliminating any unnecessary taxes. I believe that government involvement tends to hinder growth and not allow the free markets do to the work.

Another issue that we all know of is the separation at the railroad tracks. There has been talk about this for years, but there have been no solutions and the problem still exists today. I think all of us are tired of waiting a very long time for the Amtrak train to pass.

I would also like to see more alternative routes over the railroad tracks than only SR 347 and Porter Road. Moving the train station about three-quarters of a mile east can ease congestion while the train is at the station. Once the train station is moved and more routes are available, I believe it will ease congestion. A new city hall and police station should be paid for with cash, rather than by debt and higher property taxes for all of us. It is impossible and many people are keeping what little money they do have to pay their own bills. These projects should be put on hold until the local economy is expanding.