Price: Diedrich’s ‘building a consensus’ more like building a wall

Dear Citizens of Maricopa,

I come to you as both a concerned member of this community and openly, as a candidate for mayor. I ask you to think about what "open" means to you, the citizen, the voter, when you look at your elected officials and the decisions they make.

I just read of current Councilmember Carl Diedrich’s official entry into the mayoral race (see related story), and personally, I would like to openly welcome and encourage all interested citizens to participate in this process either as a voter or a candidate.

However, what concerns me is the issue of leadership based on his experience and "consensus" as touted in the local media. It appears that Mr. Diedrich's plan to build consensus with councilmember candidates Bridger Kimball and Jack McLain, while apparently having voting partners in Councilmember’s Alan Marchione and Marvin Brown, only augments the perception of control and pre-determined conclusions.

To me, that is not reflective of transparent leadership.

Ask yourself as a citizen, "Is this the type of one-sided leadership I want?" “Building a consensus” sounds more like building a wall, and closing down any opposing points of view and vital dialogue. In order for our city to progress, it is crucial that we have open and independent ideas if we are to fairly represent the entire city. With Friday evening’s announcement, Councilmember Diedrich just formally endorsed the “stacking” of the Maricopa City Council.

What does this do to legislative objectivity when facing the critical issues of our city? Under a “Diedrich administration,” it sounds like there will be an autocratic or authoritarian rule that dictates every decision made. Doesn’t this inherently taint the process and further add to the already looming distrust of city government? 

Where is the lost art of politics? What happened to the ability to discuss, question, persuade, counsel, negotiate, and vigorously debate the most pressing issues of our city? Can we disagree without being disagreeable? How can a prospective mayor claim accountability and transparency while simultaneously influencing a majority alliance of Council votes?

I firmly approve of building true consensus and friendships amongst our elected officials, but can we do this without resorting to the path of least resistance, without moving from one “Good Ol’ Boys Club” to another? 

Again I ask you, the citizen, how does this help the City of Maricopa overcome its many trials and tribulations with balance? Leadership is about knowing that you represent every citizen, weighing both pros and cons of an issue, diligently researching options, debating them and then making sound informed decisions.  True Council leadership is allowing for and encouraging 7 different viewpoints to be heard and considered in order to make the very best choice for the City and her inhabitants. Is open-mindedness even possible when it means an adherence to pre-formed alliances that may serve the interests of only a selected few?

Leadership by convenience neither is good governance nor is it effective leadership.