Also in contention is the Dist. 6 seat, which was vacated by Councilman Greg Stanton in February and currently is being held by Council appointee Sal DiCiccio. DiCiccio is facing challengers Barry Paceley, Dana Marie Kennedy, and Nathan Oshop.
The central Phoenix portion of City Council Dist. 6 runs from Northern Avenue to Camelback Road, and from 17th Avenue to 32nd Street.
Should the results be too close to call, a runoff election will be held on Nov. 3, when a special election also has been called to fill the Dist. 3 council seat vacated by Maria Baier. All newly elected council members will be seated on Jan. 4, 2010.
As the local newspaper for the North Central area, we gave all candidates an opportunity to tell a little about themselves to our readers. Below are the responses we received.
District 4 Candidates
Incumbent Tom Simplot, 48, is president and CEO of the Arizona Multihousing Association. Born in Iowa, he has lived in Phoenix for 29 years. He resides with his domestic partner, David Smith. Contact information: www.tomsimplot.com, 602-769-7707.
Why run for office?
I ran for office six years ago as an advocate of small business and neighborhood preservation. I have worked hard my first two terms on crime reduction and better communication with our neighborhood leaders. The Melrose District on 7th Avenue and the Uptown District are two examples of my leadership and hard work. Our annual Crime Summit is an example of productive teamwork with residents to find new solutions to central city crime. Our Movies in the Park is an example of using private dollars to leverage public resources to provide quality of life events to our central city residents.
Other than public safety and crime, what are your goals?
In a large, sprawling city like Phoenix, it is important to bring our environment down to scale. When people are asked where they live, they want to be able to say they live in a neighborhood, and identifying and nurturing those neighborhoods is imperative. Identifying neighborhood village cores and building a strong retail base around each core to maintain the stability of our neighborhoods has been and will continue to be one of my main priorities.
What can the city do to help its residents in this economy?
The biggest roadblock to new business and new ideas is government regulation and barriers. The city must use this downturn to redesign how government works. I am currently co-chairing a task force with Sal DiCiccio on how to improve the city’s Development Services Department. At the end of this process we hope to have new procedures and even a new culture in place.
What unique personal skills or insights would you bring to the job?
I bring a strong business background and strong communication skills to my position on the City Council. I also believe that being an openly gay member of the council gives me insight to issues and communities that others may not share.
What is your past/present community service?
Phoenix City Council 2003 to present; METRO Light Rail board of directors, chair, 2005 to present; Valle del Sol, board member 2003 to present. Pre-2003: Encanto Village Planning Committee, vice chair; Historic Preservation Commission, chair.
Robert D. Johnson, 44, is sales manager for a local energy engineering firm. Born in Maryland, he has lived in Phoenix for 8 years and is single with no children. Contact information: Robertdennisjohnson@hotmail.com, 480-221-9095.
Why run for office?
I am running for Phoenix City Council because we have a crisis of leadership in Phoenix. We’ve had massive budget overruns and close to 1,000 layoffs in the city workforce and my opponent is running on the slogan “Results we can see,” pointing to a privately funded dog park, a new pedestrian bridge at 35th Avenue, a loud-party ordinance, etc. We deserve to have a councilman who has more to show than a place to walk the dog.
Other than public safety and crime, what are your goals?
I believe that my experience in energy efficiency will enable us to cut our energy related costs by 20 percent by 2014. The Federal Government has made a large investment with the Stimulus Package. The city has an opportunity to gain millions in federal funds to retrofit and maintain the mechanical systems in our city-owned facilities. These systems include lighting, HVAC and controls, to name a few. The replacement of these outdated systems will save us millions of dollars, on energy costs that we do not have to spend.
What can the city do to help its residents in this economy?
The City Council is an incumbent, Republican-dominated body and the one goal is: reelection. It is an incestuous cabal that ensures poor performance. Tovrea Castle is a prime example—first budgeted at $5 million, the project has grown to more than $14 million and still is not completed. Why is this happening? We have all read about the park downtown that cost $30 million for hanging statues. How many jobs could have been spared? How many families would not have to fear where the next paycheck is coming from? We need new blood on the council to ensure that the special interests voices are not the only ones heard.
What unique personal skills or insights would you bring to the job?
As a centrist Democrat I have firm beliefs, [and] I will not change my beliefs to suit the political environment. My opponent has devoted his entire life to the Republican Party and its failed economic policies, not only aping its rhetoric but actively working as a partisan. [He] left the GOP after the Democratic victory in the last election cycle. The times are perilous; people are losing jobs and some of those people used to work of the city. We need a councilman to focus on the issues facing our city, not advancing to his next political office, i.e. mayor.
What is your past/present community service?
Roman Catholic, St Mary’s Parish; Democrat; Former Arizona Ranger, Phoenix Company; Green Collar worker, working in energy efficiency since 1992.
District 6 Candidates
Incumbent Sal DiCiccio, 51, is a small-business owner. He was born in Ohio and has lived in Phoenix for more than 20 years. He and his wife, Debbie, have 4-year-old twins. Contact information: www.salforcitycouncil.com, saldiciccio@gmail.com,.
Why run for office?
The simple answer is, I think I can help. Phoenix has made significant budget cuts this year, and everyone fully expects to have to cut deeper next year. We have to create an environment where business can thrive and make city government much more efficient and effective. My business background combined with my experience as an elected council member and my unwillingness to accept the status quo as good enough make me the most qualified.
Other than public safety and crime, what are your goals?
Job creation and neighborhood preservation are two of the most important issues the city will contend with in the coming years. Our neighborhoods are littered with homes that have been abandoned by families who have fallen on hard times and those homes have become targets for vagrants and crime. Adding new jobs to our economy is the first, and most important, step toward ensuring neighborhood preservation.
What can the city do to help its residents in this economy?
While there are different ideas about how to create new jobs, there is one thing we know for sure: every business stuck in the city processes is a business that cannot generate revenue and employ people. We are working to streamline the processes at the city to ensure that businesses get online or upgraded faster so more people can be put to work.
What unique personal skills or insights would you bring to the job?
What I offer is experience in both entrepreneurial business and navigating city government. I had the honor of serving District 6 from 1994 to 2000. In that time I developed a detailed understanding of the city budget, negotiated zoning cases that won the support of neighborhoods and developers, and learned the intricacies of city processes. My leadership led to solutions on land use and development issues, as well as public safety and policy issues.
What is your past/present community service?
Maricopa County Planning Commission; FARE (Fiscal, Accountability and Reform Efforts) Committee; Municipal Tax Code Commission; Valley of the Sun Kiwanis; Fiesta Bowl Committee; Biltmore Advisory Council; Arizona Center for the Blind, Board of Directors; American Council of Young Political Leader.
Barry Paceley, 52, is founder and president of Paceley Constructors, Inc. Born in Tucson, he has lived in Phoenix for 45 years. He and his wife, Joan, have three children. Contact information: vote2009@barrypaceley.com, www.barry paceley.com, 602-535-8353,
Why run for office?
I care deeply for this community. I know that I have the leadership skills, qualifications of service, and the business experience to insure that Phoenix continues to be a great place to live, work and play. I am concerned that Phoenix neighborhoods have taken a back seat to pay-for-play programs, contracts for cronies, and self-serving development projects. As councilman, I will protect the quality of neighborhood life, make Phoenix more business friendly, improve public safety, and support our schools, parks, and preserves.
Other than public safety and crime, what are your goals?
My two key issues are to support and improve our neighborhoods, since they are the true heart of the city, and reform our city budget. Neighborhoods are our home base. They are the foundation for community involvement, good schools, and support of our local businesses. As councilman, my focus will always be “What’s best for Phoenix!” especially when looking at our city’s budget, setting goals, and making decisions.
What can the city do to help its residents in this economy?
The city is facing a crisis of epic proportion. As councilman, my plan would be to embrace sound fiscal policy, yet still provide solid customer service to our residents. The mayor and City Council must be reliable, responsive, and strive for results in the pursuit of excellent customer service. My experience as a business owner will be beneficial to this process, since I am keenly aware that the most effective source for customer service is from the top down.
What unique personal skills or insights would you bring to the job?
The attributes that I bring to the City Council are being people oriented, utilizing creative thinking, understanding effective leadership, and taking personal responsibility. My 30 years as a Phoenix businessman and builder have given me keen insight into the budget proves, and how effectively managing that budget results in a quality product.
What is your past/present community service?
AGC of America, national director & Construction Education chair; Arcadia Osborn Neighborhood Association, member; Camelback East Village Planning Committee, member; East High School Alumni Association, chairman; Arcadia NEIGHBORtoNEIGHBOR, director; Arcadia Citrus Program, founder and director; Camelback Kiwanis Club, president; Silent Witness, board member; BSA Pack 6, Den Leader.
Dana Marie Kennedy, 41, is executive director of Emerge Arizona, Women Leaders for a Democratic Future. She was born in California and has lived in Phoenix for 6 years. She is single with no children. Contact information: kennedyforphoenix@gmail.com, 602-454-0394.
Why run for office?
I can bring two decades of leadership experience, coalition building and a passion for helping everyday people to our City Council, qualities that the present council lacks. With the many and varied challenges facing Phoenix today, I strongly believe my background in policymaking, community organizing and neighborhood activism are exactly what we need to keep our city moving forward. We have a solid foundation of infrastructure and positioning that make Phoenix an attracting place to live, work and visit; now we must use that launching pad to encourage civic participation and promote public-private partnerships to take us to the next level.
Other than public safety and crime, what are your goals?
It is imperative and highly achievable to forge public-private partnerships to keep senior centers and after-school programs viable and operational in this harsh economic climate. I would also work with local businesses and the city to decrease the punitive permit request; there is too much red tape in place for Phoenix’s small businesses, affecting their bottom lines and discouraging new ventures, which is a tragedy considering small businesses keep our city unique and provide the backbone of local economies.
What can the city do to help its residents in this economy?
Phoenix is well-positioned to be a leader in solar energy and green jobs, and it would be foolish not to secure economic stimulus funding to attract those sectors and the high-paying, high-quality jobs they bring with them. More and better jobs in Phoenix will allow and encourage residents to inject critical capital into the local economy, greasing the wheels of the economic machine that can drive our city out of this economic mess.
What unique personal skills or insights would you bring to the job?
The budget of the fifth-largest city in America is, and probably always will be, the greatest challenge tasked to the Phoenix City Council. My extensive experience directing multiple, large, nonprofit organizations with limited budgets has well trained me in the art of sustaining critical programs, services, and capital projects while restricting overhead and eliminating waste anywhere it hides. Doing that, with a can-do attitude and an eye toward Phoenix’s long-term health and prosperity, is the chief responsibility of city leadership.
What is your past/present community service?
Director, Pointe South Mountain Home Owners Association, 2005-08; founder and board member, Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans, 2005 to present; board member, Arizona List, 2003 to present; State Committee member, Arizona Democratic Party, 2008 to present; founder and board member, Emerge Arizona–Women Leaders for a Democratic Future, 2002 to present; founding Board Member, Emerge America.
Nathan Oshop, 30, is a customer service rep for Circle K. He was born in Pennsylvania and grew up in Tennessee. A Phoenix resident for 1 year, he lives with his long-time girlfriend and has no children. Contact information: www.beheardphoenix.org, nathanoshop@ beheardphoenix.org, 480-540-9962.
Why run for office?
Politics has always been a passion of mine. Shortly after moving to Phoenix, I recognized a crisis in the leadership of Phoenix. The city has a $250 million deficit and not much to show for it. The incumbents dropped the ball; sure, neighborhoods are safe and crime is down. This is an easy task to accomplish when the neighborhoods are empty. Although the incumbents find the current status quo to be more manageable its also makes the city unhealthy.
Other than public safety and crime, what are your goals?
Jobs! Jobs! Jobs! We need to promote small business. I, along with Robert D. Johnson (running in District 4) and Jon Garrido (running in District 8) have a plan [that] will use the tools and principals of the World Market to give Phoenix a much-needed infusion. Under our leadership, Phoenix will be a healthy thriving city again.
What can the city do to help its residents in this economy?
The one thing the city of Phoenix can do to help the people is to forget the failed ideas of the past and embrace a new mindset, to use every available tool to make the city healthy again.
What unique personal skills or insights would you bring to the job?
I have a successful management background. At the age of 20 I was running a multi-million-dollar business that set new standards in company efficiency, customer service and volume. The Tennessee housing boom of the early part of this century provided me the chance to hone my existing skills as well as adopt new ones. I again quickly advanced from an entry-level laborer to superintendent of a locally owned construction company. As the post 9/11 housing boom began to slow, I recognized the need to adapt my existing skills to a more secure industry and started spending my increasing amount of spare time washing dishes at a locally owned restaurant. Six months later, I was the assistant manager, and general manger with in a year of that. The local values of small business combined with an already strong skill set proved to be a profitable combination. I moved to Phoenix in 2008 and struggled for months in the shrinking job market and was eventually fortunate enough to find an entry-level position with a multi-national retailer.
