What do you see as economic development opportunities for Superior?
Superior’s greatest asset is people. To make Superior stronger, to get more service, we need to attract more people to live here. The only way schools get more money is if they have more students. We have a great recreation area and need to take advantage of that.
How will you help to get all the local groups and school district to work together for a common vision? Do you feel there is a common vision amongst the groups and the Town?
First, you have to invite them to the table. I don’t think that has been done. There needs to be more that we can accomplish if we sat at the same table. It’s hard to say—I’m not sure there is a common vision. I don’t know what goals the groups have set.
What do you feel needs to be done to ensure that Superior residents are safe and have access to police and fire services?
We have to support the people we have that work for us. They lack the things they need to keep their vehicles and operations running—we need to support them in every way we can. The police and fire need to develop relationships in the community, so that people know them and feel safe to approach them if there is a concern. Without “home rule”, it’s going to limit the budget and services will be cut. Nobody wants that to happen.
Do you support the Council’s recent decision to terminate the Mutual Benefits Agreement and discontinue unqualified support for the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange? How do you feel this decision will affect the Town and the Legislation?
At this time, I can’t. Is the agreement perfect? Probably not. But should we terminate it? To do it like that, I don’t agree with it. I would hope that we haven’t ruined our relationship with Resolution. If we don’t have that agreement, they’re not going to help us out along the way. I think the land exchange could pass without the town support. But that’s not how you treat your partner. You don’t just terminate an agreement without anyone knowing.
If you are elected, what would you like to see accomplished in Superior over your term?
An action plan—I don’t think we have a plan in place to go where we need to be. We haven’t set goals. What do we need to do to sustain our budget and have the best service in town? We need to find a plan to bring people in town, because it’s a great town. I’ve been here 16 years and I don’t want to leave.