Mon 2 Feb 2009
I’m privileged enough to get to help out a wonderful candidate running for town council in Gilbert. Two seats are up for election as Don Skousen attempts to move to the mayor’s seat against Steve Berman and current council member, Joan Krueger, defends her seat. Altogether, there are seven candidates including the incumbent.
Tonight, the East Valley Tribune sponsored a forum which lasted only an hour. Truthfully, the Trib should have asked for 90 minutes but we all understand that budget cuts affect everything including debate time.
All the candidate for council were present: Jenn Daniels, John Sentz, Erin Scroggins, Lonnie Stradling, Joan Krueger, James Hazel and William Jefferson. For 60 minutes each candidate made the case why they should be the one elected to sit in one of the two seats.
I’m not going to get into details about the debate but suffice it to say that only four candidates really stuck out as being credible. Of course, “my candidate” was one of them.
As a resident in Mesa, I like to stay up to speed on what’s happening in my “neck of the valley” so I frequently read Mesa Issues and Thoughts on Mesa. My question to our readers is, other than the Tribune and Republic, who is covering politics in Gilbert?
Finally, I’d like to hear your thoughts on the council candidate forum this evening.
February 3rd, 2009 at 10:28 am
Scroggins was a joke, he kept adding his 2 cents in on EVERY question. Jenn Daniels, she will be a force to be reckoned with. For a rookie, she didn’t do half bad.
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Dear Casa Grande Citizens:
Are you tired of crooked, old school, out of control politicians like City of Casa Grande Councilman Dick, call me an angry fool, Powell?
Yes!
Dick Powell is a curmudgeon from the last century, vamping as a new day savior of the old ways in Casa Grande. He spits and sputters like a stovetop teapot when in today’s troubled times we need a smooth Mr. Coffee. It’s time for a Recall Election.
Dick spins a web of a bygone era, championing the fables of cow pastures and horse barns. Reality is, the ground around us is littered with cow dung, and the air stings our eyes with the fog of horseshit. Folks a lot of that horseshit comes directly from Dick himself! It’s time for a Recall Election.
Dick recently maneuvered to block a highly desired, major big box store from opening on Florence Boulevard, until the developer agreed to pay for a roadway, all the way through the Powell Ranch chicken farm. Then Dick voted yes on the project. Folks, this looks mighty crooked. It’s time for a Recall Election.
Dick recently argued for a new City Courthouse to be built south of town, on the other side of the railroad tracks. The only thing there now is junk cars, beaten down houses, and bums. Oh, and the Powell Feed and Supply store. Yet, another crooked move by Dick. It’s time for a Recall Election.
Dick has lied time and again about growth, traffic, and his vision for Casa Grande. He has pussyfooted about for the past 10 years. It’s time to block Dick’s bluff. The voters deserve better representation at City Hall. It’s time for a Recall election.
We deserve good leadership in Casa Grande. We do not need to follow Dick. Unrestrained, Dick will continue to lead us down the path to oblivion. It’s time for a Recall Election.
Folks, indeed, it’s time for a Recall Election. Yes! Let’s recall the Dick!
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:24 pm
When Dick moves to my hometown of Gilbert (which is what the original post is about), I’ll care.
Now…
I like Don Skousen. He needs to get some signs up in Gilbert so people remember he’s running. But I’m also curious about John Lewis’ position on the issues.
Dave Petersen is a good man, but a little to the John Birch side of things for my taste.
And dang it, I just don’t know what to think of Steve Berman anymore. He’s an enigma to me.
No matter what, I do keep hearing that Gilbert is less business-friendly than Mesa and Chandler (at least for small businesses).
Since I don’t own a business, I can’t know how true this is, but it’s been a complaint heard around town for years.
I’ll support candidates who can reasonably articulate their ideas for helping business growth in Gilbert. We must shed this reputation.
February 3rd, 2009 at 4:28 pm
John Lewis is head and shoulders above the others for mayor. His experience in community issues and his financial expertise will be great assests to Gilbert. Dave and Don are both great guys, but Don’s heart is not in it. Steve’s personal problems trump all the good that he’s done for Gilbert. There are some good choices for the council: Jenn Daniels will be an energetic breath of fresh air; Lonnie Stradling is solid, and John Sentz also seems well qualified.
February 3rd, 2009 at 5:15 pm
RonB,
Don Skousen seems to think he is in it. Dont let his easy going style fool you. He has more experience and integrity and knowledge of town issues than any one else up there.
Lewis is a nice man.
Berman should focus on not lobbying insults so easily. He said that the Town Council could send the manager out to mow lawns if they wanted to. That is a little harsh.
February 3rd, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Whoa! Is this the same Joan Krueger who was mentioned in this Free Republic article?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1384498/posts
February 4th, 2009 at 12:02 am
Agree with RonB that in the forum John Lewis stood out from the rest. I have looked at the other candidates and think a lot of them are nice guys with good intentions but Lewis is my pick so far.
February 4th, 2009 at 11:11 am
“Gilbert Watcher.”
You’re not much of a “Gilbert Watcher” if you don’t know that Joan Krueger has been a member of the Town Council for the past 4 years. In fact, Ms. Krueger has done a great job as a member of the council and deserves to be reelected. Wake up “Gilbert Watcher.”
February 4th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
The candidates will also be answering written questions (sorry, deadline for question submission is up!) at the District 22 Republican Meeting.
Here’s some info from the email that went out to PC’s – note, candidate attendance does not seem to be guaranteed:
February 12, 2009 – 7 to 9pm (refreshments and mingling starts at 6:40pm)
All council and mayor candidates will be invited. The location will be at:
Eagle Aerie School
17019 S. Greenfield Rd. (NE intersection of Greenfield Rd. (Santan Village Pkwy.) and Pecos Rd.
The forum will consist of written questions and oral questions. The written questions will be given to the candidates prior to the event and their answers will be available to read at the meeting.
March 1st, 2009 at 10:14 am
Interesting article about Joan. I did not realize there was a background story to her voting.
Looks like Jenn Daniels might be the right vote. Recently we wrote to the mayor and all the council members concerning the SRP power sub-station going in next to the Edu Prize School in Gilbert, and Jenn Daniels is the only one who responded. Granted, Jenn Daniels has not done anything that we know of to help resolve the situation, and frankly has not responded since the initial response, however, the initial response is still more than any of the others.