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| | Author | Messages | |
twostep23
Posts:1689
 | | 03/12/2008 8:56 AM |
 Alert | That's why when the ballot is as large as this one was you can bet that there won't be any clear winner. Basically all it really does is show the people that are on it that shouldn't be running. | |
Senior Member
Posts: 4625
Joined: Feb 2006 | |
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| | azsouthendzone
Posts:528
| | 03/12/2008 9:01 AM |
Alert | | According to the front page, Griffin is elected, so that settles that dispute. I think the numbers of votes cast is pretty sad and it shows that the majority of people living here really don't care one way or another what goes on. It could be because of renters, who knows, but the total votes cast seems a bit low IMO. | | | |
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| | azsouthendzone
Posts:528
| | 03/12/2008 9:02 AM |
Alert | | Go Brown and Deidrich. Get er done. | | | |
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| | luv the copa
Posts:185
| | 03/12/2008 9:04 AM |
Alert | I agree, that is a low number. People just don't vote. It's very sad. The one thing that sets our country apart in greatness and so many choose not to participate :o( What do you do. I know that I personally will be talking to eveyrone I know between now and May 20th and make sure they are registered and hopefully voting.
Congrats Marqisha...it's going to be a long couple of months for the other 4 :o) | |
Changing lives one diaper at a time since 1993.
Trecia | |
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| | maricopacabana
Posts:342
| | 03/12/2008 9:11 AM |
Alert | Posted By crazyforcopa on 03/12/2008 8:48 AM Yes, we all know it was a primary. It just seems like if Griffin got 51% of voters to vote for her (which she did) she'd be in at the primary. That would make sense to me. However, that's not what the code says, so it's on to the general.
Unfortunately that is not how the City code dictates it be done.
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| | globalgirl
Posts:11
| | 03/12/2008 11:38 AM |
Alert | I don't believe I stated that Griffin should "quit" her job in Mesa. What I said is that I felt there were conflicts and if she is that intent on serving Maricopa, why didn't she ever apply for or get a job in the city here prior to running for office here. There have been plenty of opportunities with the city in the past few years but she has chosen to work for Mesa. Frankly, I don't personally care where any of the council members work - they most certainly have the right to do any job they choose. But when people are constantly criticizing current council members for the appearance of conflicts, I believe that of the candidates that were running, Griffin has the most obvious conflict.
You asked how her work on either city could affect the other. As I already stated, there is the possibility of conflicting schedules. Yes, the city of Mesa may technically end work at 5pm but anyone who has worked for any city will tell you that they frequently work later. And, have you been in the traffic heading back to Maricopa in the evenings??? I think it is highly possible she could be late for the 6pm work sessions that preceed the 7pm council sessions. Regardless, her position as I understand it, with Mesa, requires her to be at the Mesa city council meetings - which I do believe are held on a different night than ours. So, on the surface that appears to be a non-issue. However, having watched council over the past two years here, there have been a LOT of special sessions held on other nights and even some mornings. That could directly conflict with her responsibilities in Mesa. Which city would she then choose to "work" for if she had to choose?
I realize others have jobs that they often have to choose between going to and attending a council meeting - but somehow, having to choose between another city's needs and ours gets under my skin a lot more than someone who has to go on a business trip for a company that has nothing to do with the city.
I have never lived anywhere where there wasn't an occasional conflict of interest on the council. When people live and work in their cities, and own property in their cities, this is bound to happen. Frankly, I like knowing that my elected officials have a vested interest in the city - financially. I think they will make better decisions when their money is also on the line - not worse ones and not necessarily self-serving ones. Instead of throwing stones all the time at our current council, may I suggest that Maricopa wouldn't exist as it does had it not been for the people who have lived here for their lives and invested here and made the decision to grow the city. The same people you all criticize so often are the reason that many of us have homes here to begin with. So, if they "benefit" in some way, so be it. We all are going to benefit in the long term because of their vision. | | | |
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|  | gilbertglcn
Posts:213
| | 03/12/2008 12:00 PM |
Alert | Globalgirl - Wow, hit a nerve with you. As yoi are aware you cannot work for the City and serve as a council member, so it would be impossible for Ms. Griffin to work for the city and serve in office. When you asked Ms. Griffin about her job requirements in Mesa, did she actually state that she had to be at the council meetings? If you have not asked her, then why are you speculating?
You seem to want people with a vested interest, yet you only note one person, not the rest. As Maricopa does not have the business development anywhere close to the Phoenix metro area, it would be impossible for all of the residents of Maricopa to also work here. How about Mayor-Elect Smith? He does not work in Maricopa, and his company would have potential to have a direect impact and influence on Maricopa than a person working for the City Council at another community.
As Maricopa was just 3,000 residents a few years ago, they were the ones who participated in the creation of the City. However, to deny anyone who moved here after the founding of the community, the opportunity to run and serve in office, means that most every other candidate would be included. I, along with others, would not want to only vote for the "old guard", and I think the election results show this to be true.
I am sure Ms. Griffin is an adult, who can work with her employer to ensure she is responding to the needs of Maricopa. After all, she has been serving our community now, in an active role, showing she has a vested interest, for a while now. Congrats to her, and to Mr. Smith for getting into office, and good luck to the remaining four candidates. | | | |
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| | globalgirl
Posts:11
| | 03/12/2008 1:02 PM |
Alert | Yes, I am well aware that you can't work for the city and serve on council and I am sorry if I seemed to make that suggestion. My point was that PRIOR to running for council, over the past few years, Griffin could have gotten a job with Maricopa since that is clearly her career path in working in public administration. True - if she were working for the city and wanted to run for office, she would have had to leave her employment. So, your point is made. But hopefully, mine is as well that for someone so intent on serving her community, there were opportunities beyond just being on council - and yes, I am aware that she has served on committees and such with the city.
I have not spoken to Ms. Griffin myself - and I don't believe I am speculating. I am aware of the circumstance through others who have spoken to her and know her and the situation. But I do find it interesting that if there is no truth to my concerns, why she wouldn't have addressed it as I have raised it previously in the campaign.
I don't believe I stated that I expected every council member to work in Maricopa nor did I ever state that I felt that people who have moved here don't have the right to run for and serve the city on council or any other position. My point was that there has been a lot of mud slinging at our current council and I don't believe that it is totally warranted. While I don't believe you have to work in Maricopa - and you are correct to state that there just aren't the jobs here to make that realistic - I don't think we should slam those who do work in our community or who have vested interests here either. I guess what I am saying is that everyone seems so sure that if we elect 3 new people things will get better and I actually disagree with that assessment. I believe that the people who have been here are just as qualified, and often moreso, than those that are new. I don't think it should be held against them that they work or have vested interests in the community. I only want to know that whoever is in office is working for the good of the community. I personally have paid very close attention to this council over the past two years and I can honestly state that while I most certainly do NOT agree with everything that they have done, and I do see the appearance of some conflicts as has everyone, I truly believe that for the most part, their hearts are in this for the right reasons and not for personal gain.
Kelly Haddad has NEVER given me any reason to think that he is anything but completely devoted to his committment to Maricopa. During the whole Peed property issue, I saw that man exhausted from lack of sleep laboring over his decision because he wanted to do what was "right" - He really worked hard on that, and I believe every issue, that has come before him. I haven't always agreed with some of his votes, that is for sure. BUT, I have confidence that he takes his role very seriously and makes a judgement that he feels is the right one for Maricopa. That is all any of us can ask of our elected officials because the reality is that no matter what they vote for or against, someone is going to disagree with them. We should be looking for people that are going to make wise decisions and honestly, I do believe Kelly Haddad does that.
I haven't always been a fan of Will Dunn. For a while I was staunchly opposed to him. But honestly, having watched him for the past two years, I have come to realize that he too really does have the best interests of Maricopa in his heart. Again, I don't always agree with his decisions. But, I do feel he tries very hard to make the right choices for Maricopa and not decisions that are in "his" interest, although some have suggested that. He loves this city and only wants it to grow and thrive and be the best place ever.
That is the kind of passion I want on council. I am not saying that Ms. Griffin doesn't have that nor am I suggesting that the other candidates don't have that. I am simply stating that I don't think "change" necessarily changes anything. We have issues in Maricopa - I am accutely aware of them and live them with everyone else every day. But I also think that for all of the problems and growing pains that we have, we are pretty fortunate to have the dedication of the people on our current city council who have put up with a lot of abuse and accusations that really have been unwarranted.
I would be willing to bet that regardless of who is elected, that in the next few elections we will again be complaining and wanting "change". Change isn't always the answer - especially in growing communities. Sometimes perseverance is the answer.
Honestly, the one change I would really like to see isn't with Council. It is with our "economic development consultant". Frankly, I haven't seen her do a darn thing other than collect a large sum of money from the city and do stupid reports. So, that is one change I would like to see - and I expect whoever is on council when this all shakes out to take a serious look at that and get someone in there that will actually do what their title says......
Yes, congratulations to Ms. Griffin and Mr. Smith on their wins. I truly hope that these changes will benefit Maricopa. As for the other two council seats, I am supporting the incumbents - they have proven themselves to me and I do trust them to make the right choices for the good of the community. | | | |
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| | gilbertglcn
Posts:213
| | 03/12/2008 4:32 PM |
Alert | Again, congratulations to Ms. Griffin, on her election win. For those of us who attended the public forums, and asked questions of you, (and the other candidates), we were impressed with your responses, as well as your prior service to the city. As we are aware, you do not have to be a paid employee to serve the public good, regardless of anyone's, after the election comments.
The best interests of the City are served when we have a council that conducts their business in public, declares any conflict of interest on any decision to the public, and includes the public in decisions that impact our daily lives. Again, best wishes to Ms. Griffin and Mr. Smith and good luck to the candidates running in the general election. | | | |
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| | ravensnest
Posts:120
| | 03/12/2008 8:27 PM |
Alert | Well i got one question for Ms Griffin. When are you going to get your signs off the street? Since you are elected could you please go pull them out of the ground. I saw at least 10 of your signs passing thru town. Many posters have complained about the builders signs. Well how about the candidates signs? Do we really need one at every corner ? Same goes for the ones who are out of the running now. . | | | |
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| | Fritzydoodle
Posts:980
| | 03/12/2008 8:43 PM |
Alert | Posted By ravensnest on 03/12/2008 8:27 PM Well i got one question for Ms Griffin. When are you going to get your signs off the street? Since you are elected could you please go pull them out of the ground. I saw at least 10 of your signs passing thru town. Many posters have complained about the builders signs. Well how about the candidates signs? Do we really need one at every corner ? Same goes for the ones who are out of the running now. .
WOW! Ravensnest - get your panties untangled! The election results are still not official until the write in and provisional ballots are counted. The candidates DO have a few days to remove their signs. Jeesh. Now if the signs for Ms Griffin and the unsuccessful candidates are still up in two weeks - then complain. But not in less than 24 hours after the polls closed.
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| | love_life
Posts:15
| | 03/13/2008 9:56 PM |
Alert | Ravensnest, if they are such a bother to you how about you go dig the signs up. Seeing campaign signs are to be expected while candidates are campaigning up until they are officially elected. Just like any other city Maricopa has an ordinance regarding the length of time a candidates sign can remain after they are declared a winner. It would be my suggestion that you educate yourself on the amount of time allowed or better yet I will tell you. They have 48 hours so get your panties out of a bunch | | | |
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