by 
Town of Superior Mayor Jayme Valenzuela
I normally don’t get involved in the politics of other small towns outside the Tri-Community but the actions of Mayor Jayme Valenzuela in Superior are deplorable. The Mayor used the town’s credit and debit card to ring up over $2,000 for personal use including cash withdrawals at a casino. After he gets caught he pays it back and says it’s OK, he has done nothing wrong. His refusal to step down as mayor after the Town Council and some citizens of Superior demanded his resignation is pure arrogance. His refusal to admit that what he did was wrong, not to mention illegal, then call it a mistake and expect the citizens of Superior to believe his excuses is delusional.
This is bigger than Superior. Jayme Valenzuela is a Jail Commander for the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office. The taxpayers of Pinal County pay his $70,000 plus annual salary. He is held to higher ethical standards as a member of the Sheriff’s office. A jail commander is expected to set an example for his staff and the inmates at the jail as well as the public. Valenzuela was a deputy for many years and if he doesn’t know right from wrong by now, when will he? He has embarrassed the Town of Superior and his actions may make people question the integrity of the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office.
Valenzuela was hired by Sheriff Paul Babeu after the Sheriff was elected in 2008. Valenzuela ran for Sheriff in the primary that election year as a Democrat but was defeated by Chris Vasquez. Valenzuela then supported Babeu, a Republican.
If Valenzuela has any integrity left he will resign and let the Town of Superior move forward. The Town Council needs to make sure this gets investigated, take away his town debit/credit card and tell him the bank is closed!
Author’s Note:
I have been given the opportunity to express my opinion and viewpoints on politics, national, state, and local issues as well as life in general. I hope to inform you as well as entertain you, make you smile or make you mad. I will use humor, sarcasm and occasionally anger to express my views. My intention is to hold politicians accountable sometimes bringing some heat on them and if my views make you angry or hot, remember that like my humor, it is a dry heat. These opinions are entirely my own and do not reflect the views of Copper Area News Publishers.
John Hernandez lives in Oracle. He is retired and enjoys writing and traveling. He is active in the Oracle Historical Society. He covers numerous public events, researches historical features and writes business/artist profiles.
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