Line forming to challenge Gilbert mayor Berman

Two men are forming political committees in preparation for a run against Gilbert Mayor Steve Berman, while a group of residents is trying to talk a retiring town councilman into also entering the race.

Former Town Councilman Dave Petersen and Home Shopping Network security director Kevin Adams have jumped into the race, and current Town Councilman Don Skousen is being asked by others to consider a run.

Petersen, a vocal opponent of Berman who served one term before being defeated in a 2005 re-election run, said that defeat doesn't worry him about his chances this time around. "There's plenty of people who have lost before getting elected," he said. "I'm not concerned."

Petersen, who works for SunWest Contracting, said he's already heard from many in the community who have encouraged him to run. "There just seems to be a real feeling in the community that the mayor has lost the faith of the voters," he said.

Berman has drawn negative publicity over the last few months due to his ongoing divorce, involving allegations of abusive behavior by Berman and prescription drug abuse by his wife, Michelle.

He has also drawn criticism in the last year for accepting a truck donated to the town by SanTan Ford for his use.

He did not return phone calls seeking comment.

On Tuesday, Adams filed papers to launch a mayoral campaign as well. Besides working at the Home Shopping Network's Scottsdale Airpark offices, he is active as a volunteer with the town and with the Ashland Ranch homeowners association.

Adams said the town needs to rein in residential growth and spending, and focus on attracting small businesses.

He said his campaign won't necessarily focus on Berman's decisions and behavior, but the direction the overall council has taken for Gilbert. "I'm going to look at a few more things on my own time, and see which council member did what, when, with decisions on Big League Dreams, instead of staying with the police and fire budget."

Skousen announced in June that he wouldn't run for a third term next spring, citing a desire to retire and spend time with his family, but speculation continued that he might run against Berman.

Late last week, someone else pulled the paperwork necessary for Skousen, 73, to run, he said, and he's "not sure what he's going to do about it."

"The mayor's certainly going to be challenged, and I have to decide if I'm going to be the one to do it," he said, adding that he even suggested a mayoral run to someone else whom he feels would have had a good chance of winning, but the other man wasn't interested.

In recent months Skousen has championed lower-density development as increasingly urban developments are brought before the council for approval. His previous jobs and offices have included town magistrate, justice of the peace and school board member.

Mesa Community College student Eric Hurley, 21, has already launched a mayoral run. Two Gilbert residents who said they were considering running for mayor, J.T. Smith and Gilbert Unified School District board member Thad Stump, said Monday they are still considering their options.

All candidates for the mayor's seat and the two council seats up for grabs in next March's election must collect between 240 and 481 signatures from qualified voters, and turn them in to the town clerk's office between Nov. 10 and Dec. 10.