4 in Mesa square off for District 5 appointment

In the next few months, Mesa will decide on some of its hottest issues — a property tax-funded bond package, kickstarting economic development, paving the way for the Mesa-Phoenix Gateway Airport, and setting the city budget.

The mayor and city council are on the hunt for someone who can handle the heat.

Four finalists came before the City Council on Thursday to be interviewed for the District 5 appointment. The appointee will serve until the permanent representative is elected in March. The council makes its final decision on Oct. 25.

Terry Benelli, Darrell Truitt, Phil Austin and John Perkinson fielded questions from councilmembers about city finances, working with the public on controversial issues and illegal immigration.

“I think the residents of District 5 will be well served,” said Vice Mayor Claudia Walters, adding that it was disappointing there are not four people running in each district.

“This kind of dialog and debate is lacking,” she said.

THE CANDIDATES

Terry Benelli: Benelli has lived in Mesa 23 years — 21 in District 5. She got her first taste of community involvement in homeowner’s associations and the Mesa Leadership, Training and Development program, a breeding ground for many civic leaders.

She currently runs the Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation, which helps small businesses and non-profit organizations.

During her interview, Benelli said she would support a bond package financed by a secondary property tax and further policies that protect economic development areas.

Councilmember Mike Whalen asked all candidates what role police officers should play in enforcing illegal immigration.

Benelli said she would need to investigate the city’s role in interacting with other agencies, to which Whalen replied, “You kind of walked around that as well as many folks do.”

Benelli later e-mailed the City Council to follow up on the question, adding that she believes the process of dealing with illegal immigrants at a local facility would be most efficient.

“I do not want to appear as someone who would skirt an important Mesa issue such as immigration concerns,” she wrote.

Darrell Truitt: Truitt has lived in Mesa 33 years — 21 in District 5. Truitt, president of Engineers, Planners and Surveyors Group, said he is at a point personally that would allow him to work less and serve the city more.

He served as an engineer for the city for more than five years, has served on the East Valley Partnership Transportation Committee and the Mesa building board of appeals.

He also serves as chair of the Gilbert Design Review Board, a board that requires town residency to serve, according to the town clerk’s office.

Truitt is one of the few people appointed to the board before the residency requirement, said Gilbert Vice Mayor Steve Urie.

Truitt touted his engineering and planning background and his skills in working with the public on sensitive issues.

“We’re from the government and we’re here to help you doesn’t always sell,” he said. “You have be sensitive.”

He said he is not considering running for council in the election.

“This just comes from a desire to serve and give back,” he said.

Phillip Austin: Austin has lived in Mesa for 48 years — four in District 5. He has received a lot of exposure through his work as a civil rights attorney and the president of the Mesa Association of Hispanic Citizens.

Austin would be the first Hispanic citizen on the City Council if appointed.

He wasn’t part of the original list — Mayor Keno Hawker only recommended the first three — but was added at Whalen’s request.

Austin said he has considered running for office “off and on” in the past, and intends to continue serving regardless of who is appointed.

“If I get appointed, I will serve and consider running for the District 5 seat,” he said.

Hawker pressed Austin on the immigration issue, and asked him if he would support a program like 287(g), which authorizes local law agencies to enforce immigration law.

Austin said local governments should work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, but would limit 287(g) at the jail.

The mayor asked whether Austin would listen to his constituents in District 5 if they showed support for enforcing immigration via traffic stops and field operations.

“I would first discuss that with them and try to educate them as I think our role of a leader is, and then if that was their decision I would respectfully disagree,” Austin said.

John Perkinson: Perkinson has lived in Mesa 48 years — 21 in District 5. Perkinson runs his own company in real estate development, investment and management.

He said he wasn’t seeking the office, but was asked to apply. He currently is committee treasurer for the “Scott Smith for Mayor” political committee.

Perkinson said he probably would not want to continue being treasurer for Smith’s campaign if appointed to Council.

Perkinson also has served on the Maricopa County Board of Health, the city traffic safety board, Diamondback Charities and is past president of the Phoenix Thunderbirds.

During the interview, Perkinson said property and sales taxes were necessary to build parks and other quality of life amenities in the city.

“That may not be a popular view in the city, but it’s just the logical conclusion I’ve come to relative to our finance,” he said.