Letters to the editor: Oct. 4

TEMPE SCHOOL ELECTIONS

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Johnson inspires vote

I have never before written a letter in support of any candidate for any office but I feel so strongly about Zita Johnson, who is running for Tempe Union High School District Governing Board, that I am submitting my first.

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I am a lifelong resident of the district and have volunteered my time to various district committees and advisory groups and for the past several years I have also been involved in awarding scholarships for worthy students at the various high schools. I have observed the district up close and one governing board member has always been supportive of efforts by citizens, Zita Johnson.

Zita pledges to “listen and work collaboratively.” something I have certainly experienced with her.

Zita has a passion for all children and for education while at the same time being fiscally prudent. She believes in investing in programs which are closest to the students in the classrooms. Her service to the community is unquestioned, her commitment to students has been demonstrated on a daily basis, and her stewardship of our tax money has been competent.

Please vote for Zita Johnson for the Tempe Union High School District Governing Board.

JOHN EWING

TEMPE

CONGRESSIONAL RACES

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Excited about Flake

In today’s society of incessant perversion, corruption and malfeasance in politics, going to the voting booths can be an unenthusiastic experience.

However, the constituents of the 6th Congressional District have something to look forward to in their incumbent Rep. Jeff Flake. It is refreshing to know that we have a congressman who puts the collective interests of his constituents above his personal objectives and goals. Since 2001, Flake has made the collective agenda of the 6th District his working agenda.

If we look across the board, our fundamental theme “… of the people, by the people, for the people” receives little attention these days in Washington. This is not the case with Flake, for he takes this theme to heart as he carries it with him internally back and forth to Washington.

A renowned reformer and fiscal conservative, Flake has a reputation for standing up to the exorbitant earmarks that have pockmarked our Congress. This is not just talk, but it has been proven in his voting record. Since day one, he has promised that he would fight the wasteful spending of the our tax dollars, and this promise has been faithfully carried out.

With Flake in office, the voter is assured collective representation, sincere action, an appreciation of our fundamental tenets, and respect for the people. This congressman is well-deserving of another term in Congress and is exactly what we need, especially during these fiscal challenges in our economy.

DAVID CHURCH

CHANDLER

PINAL COUNTY ELECTIONS

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Developers fund campaign

Bryan Martyn, a candidate for the Pinal County Board of Supervisors claims he is for “responsible development” while he filled a majority of his campaign war chest with money from developers and those close to the development industry.

Martyn touts his military experience and discipline as a reason to support him. As I remember my military training and experience, unless you are the top dog you follow orders from above.

It appears that Martyn will have to have a pretty open ear to the developers who have given thousands of dollars to his campaign on the many issues facing our county from the rampant development taking place. I, for one, hope the voters in District 2 will take this into consideration prior to casting their ballot on Nov. 4.

They should compare his campaign finances to that of Mary Shope, who has refused to take money from developers because she believes she must keep an open mind when it come to new developments in Pinal County. Shope wants to ensure that all future development in Pinal County is well planned and takes into account the impact on our infrastructure before they are approved.

JEAMES KERLEY

QUEEN CREEK

MARICOPA COUNTY ELECTIONS

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Brock cares about seniors

I am a resident of Sun Lakes, and have been pleased with the work Maricopa County Supervisor Fulton Brock has done in support of our community, and for the whole county. I have a special interest in Neighbors Who Care, a non-profit serving Sun Lakes and south Chandler that works to keep seniors in their homes.

I serve as board secretary. When we have needed help from the county, Fulton Brock has always responded to ensure that needs are met. He attends special events in support of our fund-raising activities, and continues to take a personal interest in our success.

PHILLIP HEMBERG

SUN LAKES

SCOTTSDALE ELECTIONS

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Lane has right approach to preserve

Jim Lane won the minds and confidence of many Scottsdale voters, and even in the domain of the Coalition of Pinnacle Peak, which calls to question the extent of their influence and their bad judgment to endorse Mary Manross in the race for mayor. The precinct results showed that Lane won 9 of the 12 precincts in north Scottsdale.

Thousands of voters loudly and implicitly stated they wanted a leadership change.

Voters heard Lane’s business approach to completing the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, which is a significant departure from “smoke-n-mirrors and secrecy.”

Manross supporters have called Lane a naysayer for bringing some much needed attention to the preserve and engaging in a realistic and factual dialogue. In my mind, Lane understands the many variables in play to complete the preserve. And by the way, real leadership counts, not advertised leadership as you read in the local newspapers.

DIANA MOORMAN

SCOTTSDALE

LESIGLATIVE RACES

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Reagan defends school funding

Voters need to show their support for state Rep. Michele Reagan, R-Scottsdale, and vote to return Reagan to her position in the Arizona Legislature. Reagan was one of the leaders who fought during this last legislative session to find a solution for eliminating local property taxes that were needed to fund school district utility costs.

The legislation that she worked to pass will save local homeowners millions of dollars in property taxes and still provide the needed state funding for school districts to pay their utility bills. We need to return Rep. Michele Reagan to the Legislature.

CHUCK ESSIGS

Scottsdale

Scottsdale needs to support education

Thank you voters of the Scottsdale Unified School District. While we do not have an override or bond on the current ballot, we were able to fend off draconian cuts to our budget for this year due to your support at election time last year.

As the president of the local teacher’s union, our 1,100-plus members have not forgotten your commitment to the educators and students of Scottsdale. We ask that you once again remain active voters. Take a hard look at this year’s candidates and find out who is education friendly and who is not. Education is a not a partisan issue.

It is a core value that is surprisingly, and quite unfortunately, not shared by everyone running. Make an informed decision and then follow up by voting. For those too busy, allow a teacher to give you the Cliff Notes.

In legislative District 17, incumbents Sen. Meg Burton Cahill, and Reps. Ed Ablesser and David Schapira are all top notch. In legislative District 11, we recommend Eric Meyer and Ann Wallack (sorry, not much else). For legislative District 8, Sen. Carolyn Allen, Rep. Michele Reagan and House candidate Stephanie Rimmer are real champions.

You can help shape our tomorrow by helping our students today.

ERIC KURLAND

SCOTTSDALE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

SMOKING

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Manross supports health agenda

After Tempe set the standard as a smoke-free city, we in Scottsdale tried to follow suit. As the former chairman for Scottsdale for Smoke-Free Workplaces, and as a member of the advisory board for the 2006 Smoke-Free Arizona Propsosition 201 initiative, I can state that Mayor Mary Manross was a strong supporter of both. Tom Silverman, Wayne Ecton, and Mary Manross all attended multiple meetings trying to help us gain a smoke-free city and state. They urged the Phoenix City Council to join with Scottsdale in this effort. Phoenix Mayor Rimza is quoted as stating “not on my agenda.” Our council also worked unsuccessfully with other Arizona cities.

Realistically, we could not win alone for Scottsdale, because of lack of support by our chamber of commerce, and because the charter of the Scottsdale Convention and Visitors Bureau would not permit it. We turned our attention to the Arizona Legislature.

That was a total failure. Fortunately, the citizens of Arizona passed the Prop. 201 initiative, and everyone is now benefiting with a healthy environment.

We owe a thank you to Mary Manross and all of the members of the Scottsdale City Council for their help.

DR. WILFRED M. POTTER

SCOTTSDALE

GILBERT ELECTIONS

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Severson for school board

As both a teacher and a Gilbert Town Council member I have known and worked with Adelaida Severson in community-related projects over the past two years. I find that Adelaida is someone who works well at identifying and accomplishing important goals. I am pleased that she has decided to run for Gilbert Unified School District’s Governing Board, and I believe that her success as a business woman with diverse life experiences will bring a fresh perspective to the decision-making process. As a parent, I support Adelaida’s belief in the importance of preparing students to compete in a global economy while ensuring, at the same time, that our district successfully attracts and maintains the types of teachers necessary to accomplish this significant goal. I ask for your support in voting for Adelaida Severson to the Gilbert governing board.

Linda Abbott

Focused on early childhood

I am pleased to know Adelaida Severson is a candidate for the governing board of the Gilbert Unified School District and fully support her efforts. I have known Adelaida for about 15 years, first by working closely with her at Arizona State University, and more recently when she co-chaired a fund raising event for New Directions Institute, a group that promotes early childhood development. I share her belief students need to be thinking about post-graduation options in their early years and with her ideals to provide a more progressive curriculum to include more international and critical thinking to equip children to compete in today’s global economy.

The fact that she is close to her goal of visiting each school in the district speaks to her commitment and passion to ensuring each child gets the best public education possible. We need more people like her on our governing boards.

ELVA W. COOR

PHOENIX