County board needs leadership

 Millions of dollars are wasted on unnecessary international trips and projects that are never completed. Illegally approved developments encroach upon Luke Air Force Base. Correctional Health Services loses its state-mandated accreditation. Deputies arrive 40 minutes after an East Valley woman is robbed at gunpoint.

Does this sound like the “best run county” to you?

My opponent thinks he should be elected to a fourth four-year term on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors because of a “Best Run County” award that county staff received six years ago. There is no doubt that our county has a smart and dedicated staff, but what we need in these tough budget times is real leadership from the top — from the Board of Supervisors.

I am running for the board to restore fiscal responsibility, protect Luke and protect families in our county.

There have been many highly publicized examples of wasteful county spending — giant billboards promoting politicians and millions spent on expensive outside legal counsel. The board also has approved wasteful spending that has not been as public. Over the past five years, the board has spent more than $25 million on buildings that were never finished, while continuing to pay millions every year for 670,000 square feet of expensive leased office space.

As a member of the Arizona Board of Regents and its audit committee, I exposed and cut wasteful spending in our universities. As your county supervisor, I will aggressively audit the county’s $2.3 billion budget to root out waste.

Coming from a military family, I know the value of service and the economic impact of military bases. The board of supervisors has recklessly endangered the future of Luke Air Force Base by ignoring a 2004 state law and approving 96 building permits within the base’s “accident potential zones,” where most crashes occur. Not only does this endanger public safety, but it also puts Luke at risk of being closed in the next round of base closures. From my service on the governor’s Smart Growth Cabinet, I know how important smart planning and zoning is to ensure a strong, sustainable economy. As your county supervisor I will work to protect Luke instead of shifting blame — as the current board has done.

On the course of my campaign, I have heard too many stories of slow county 911 response times leaving residents feeling abandoned and unprotected. There are more than 40,000 unserved felony warrants in our county, far more than any comparable region has. I have been endorsed by the police officers who serve you because I have the experience and resolve to make sure our county deputies have the right resources to bring criminals to justice.

If you value fiscal responsibility, Luke Air Force Base and real public safety, this year vote for a change on your board of supervisors. I have the experience and the resolve to make the changes we need.

Ed Hermes is a candidate for the District 1 seat on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.