Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce 2018 Candidate Guide

Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce

2018

CANDIDATE GUIDE

Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce Candidate Guide

Primary Election Candidates

2018 Primary Election Candidates

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CANDIDATE GUIDE 2018 Primary Election Candidates

C

hamber members, welcome to your Chamber’s 2018 Candidate Guide for the Primary Election. As Americans, we are so fortunate to have the right to place our own leaders in office. If you haven’t noticed by the multitude of campaign signs and other indicators all over the county, it is an election year.

There is nothing more American nor more important than voting.

Unfortunately there are generally low turnouts for primaries in our county.

Your votes do make a difference especially in local elections and with local initiatives. Business and organization owners – help your employees and teams get registered as well - and parents of young adults of voting age – you can help by educating and encouraging your kids to take ownership of their future.

Polling locations have been changed. Your sample ballot will provide information on where you can vote, or call voter registration at 928-753-0767.

All candidates for the offices of Lake Havasu City Mayor, Lake Havasu City Council, Mohave County Supervisor District 5, State Treasurer, US Senate, Arizona State House of Representatives, Arizona State Senate, US House of Representatives, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Arizona Governor and Arizona Secretary of State were invited to participate in this guide. All were emailed information on the same day and had the same deadline to return. Those not meeting the deadline were not included in the guide. Additionally, all answers are shown exactly as submitted to the Chamber. Inclusion in this guide does not imply chamber endorsement of any candidate; no endorsements are being made this year by the Chamber.

There is nothing more American nor more important than voting.

The Chamber encourages its members to become well informed before voting. This publication should assist in that endeavor.

Most candidates have websites, Facebook pages, etc., that can be easily found online. You may also access public information with their contact details from the Lake Havasu City Clerk’s Office, the Mohave County Elections Department, or the Arizona Secretary of State’s office.

Questions? Give me a call at 928-855-4115 or email me at lisak@havasuchamber.com.

Lisa Krueger

Lisa Krueger, IOM, ACE, CTA President & CEO

Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce Candidate Guide

2018 Primary Election Candidates

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TABLE OF CONTENTS United States Senate Candidates Congresswoman Martha McSally ...............................................................................................4 Dr. Kelli Ward ......................................................................................................................................5

United States House of Representatives Candidates Ana Marie Perez ................................................................................................................................6 Congressman Paul Gosar ...............................................................................................................7 Haryaksha Gregor Knauer .............................................................................................................8

Governor of the State of Arizona Candidates Governor Douglas A. Ducey .........................................................................................................9 David Garcia .................................................................................................................................... 10

Arizona Secretary of State Candidates Secretary Michele Reagan.......................................................................................................... 11

Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Candidates Superintendent Diane Douglas ............................................................................................... 12 Frank Riggs ...................................................................................................................................... 13 David Schapira ............................................................................................................................... 14

State Senate of Arizona Candidates Senator Sonny Borrelli ................................................................................................................. 15

State House of Representatives of Arizona Candidates Leo Biasiucci .................................................................................................................................... 16 Representative Regina Cobb..................................................................................................... 17

County Supervisor, District 5 Candidates Ron Gould ........................................................................................................................................ 18 Supervisor Lois Wakimoto.......................................................................................................... 19

Lake Havasu City Mayor Candidates Nicole Norona ................................................................................................................................. 20 Vice Mayor Cal Sheehy ................................................................................................................ 21

City Council Candidates Councilwoman Jeni Coke ........................................................................................................... 22 Rich Crayne ...................................................................................................................................... 23 Jim Dolan.......................................................................................................................................... 24 Councilwoman Michele Lin ....................................................................................................... 25 Alex McClane .................................................................................................................................. 26

Arizona Corporation Commission Candidates Rodney Glassman .......................................................................................................................... 27

Ballet Propositions Proposition 409 .............................................................................................................................. 28

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Candidates for

US SENATE

CONGRESSWOMAN MARTHA MCSALLY (R) Why are you running for US Senate and what are your unique qualifications?

Serving our country in uniform for 26 years, I put my life on the line fighting for our freedoms, now I’m running for the Senate to continue serving our country by deploying to DC to fight the battles that must be won. There is so much at stake with this election including the future direction of our country and Senate confirmation of federal judges who will impact our way of life for generations. Arizonans care about economic security, national security and border security--and I would be honored to fight for us in DC. As the first woman to fly in combat and command a fighter squadron for the United States, retiring from the Air Force in 2010 as a Colonel. My tenure in the Air Force gave me the unique qualifications to understand our country’s most important national security issues. As the Chairwoman for the subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, I lead Congressional oversight for border security, maritime security, and visa security and am leading the fight in Congress to fix these problems.

How do you plan to support business?

Our economy is currently in afterburner because of the commitment of President Trump and Republicans in Congress to rolling back harmful and burdensome regulations. By working to get government bureaucracy out of the way, cutting red tape, and rolling back taxes, we can continue to allow businesses and the economy to thrive.

Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce Candidate Guide

What current Federal legislative issues do you see as having a positive effect for business in Lake Havasu City?

Most recently, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, a bill that I advocated for and was signed by President Trump, has allowed for significantly greater ability for companies to invest in local communities. At the Federal level, I am leading the fight to ensure we get government out of the way. Lake Havasu businesses, not Washington bureaucrats, know what is best for them and their community.

Water is our livelihood and the most precious resource in the Lake Havasu City area. What can be done to keep Colorado River water from being transferred from our rural communities?

I will continue to be a strong, outspoken advocate for rural water rights. Water is critical to the survival of communities all around our great state. I will continue to look for ways the Federal government can partner with the State to ensure rural Arizona has continuing access to water.

The word “tax” is one all businesses would like to avoid.

What are two ways you, if elected, can help ease the tax burden on business?

Since Congress passed and President Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, more than 6 million Americans have received bonuses and 400+ companies have announced wage increases, bonuses, or 401(k) match increases. In Arizona alone, companies like U-Haul, Home Depot, Walmart, and Wells Fargo have all passed along bonuses to their employees and reinvested capital in their workforce. This has real economic implications for Lake Havasu City and across all of Arizona. I will continue to advocate for lowering taxes and rolling back regulations.

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Candidates for

US SENATE

DR. KELLI WARD (R) Why are you running for US Senate and what are your unique qualifications?

In Washington today we see a Congress, and especially a Senate, that is resistant to the positive changes by the American people. Securing our border, building the wall, repealing and replacing Obamacare, permanent tax cuts, spending cuts, entitlement reform — all these initiatives have languished, teaching us it is not enough to have merely a Republican Congress, we need an action-oriented conservative Congress. I have a proven track record as a champion of conservative reform in the Arizona legislature, and I look forward to bringing that experience and commitment to the Senate.

Water is our livelihood and the most precious resource in the Lake Havasu City area. What can be done to keep Colorado River water from being transferred from our rural communities?

Water is the most important natural resource, especially in the Arizona desert. We must send strong rural legislators to DC and to Phoenix to have an effective voice to counter the many voices from heavily populated urban areas. I look forward to working with leaders at the local, statewide, and national level to assure that our Colorado River water is not transferred from Havasu or other rural communities.

The word “tax” is one all businesses would like to avoid.

What are two ways you, if elected, can help ease the tax burden on business?

In addition to making the recently passed tax cuts permanent, I support President Trump’s effort to further bring down the corporate tax rate to 20% to make America even more competitive globally. I will oppose any effort to raise taxes on the American people in the United States Senate.

How do you plan to support business?

We must continue to create the environment that allows business to grow. Low taxes and fewer regulations are the place to start. We need to make the recently passed federal tax cuts permanent and work with business to enact low, fair corporate rates. We must also cut government spending for our nation to thrive.

What current Federal legislative issues do you see as having a positive effect for business in Lake Havasu City?

Eliminating burdensome and overreaching federal regulation will help jumpstart the local economy, allowing out-of-work citizens to get back in the workforce and small business owners to expand. At the same time, further simplifying the tax code will inject more cash into the economy, strengthening consumer confidence and business’ standing. In short, we need to get the federal government out of our pockets and away from our businesses.

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Candidates for

US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ANA MARIA PEREZ (D) Why are you running for the US House of Representatives?

I saw that our Representative in CD4 was raising the deficit last May. I believe in integrity.

I feel that continuing to have a large National Debt, and even worse -increasing it, makes us economically vulnerable as a nation. I love my country and I feel the district may have use for my experience as an architectural designer, having graduated with a Master’s degree in Architecture in 1991.

I have coordinated several successful multi-million dollar construction projects in my 13 year career, with many commercial and governmental clients. I have 26 years of experience in the business world, including the last 13 years in the hospitality industry. I have lived in Northern Arizona for 16 years and I feel I have a good idea of the character and values of CD4. We are independent, freedom-loving and believe in law and order. I am an Independent-leaning candidate who embodies these values.

What are the top three issues facing businesses in CD 4?

Getting adequate work force for hospitality and agricultural industries. I support allowing more temporary work visas for these two industries. Many farms are suffering losses and hotels are over-working their employees, because they cannot find the reliable, steady workers. I do not support more visas for the construction or landscaping industries. I feel that employers can pay their workers more, and find the skilled laborers that they need among existing American labor.

Keeping public lands and federally protected land available for tourism is an important aspect of our Tourist economy in Arizona. Maintaining land in federal hands also helps to fight fire more adequately when needed.

Attracting large Corporations with quality education. Many corporations have passed on moving into Arizona because of the lack of services for the children of their employees. This needs to change, and I plan on funding special programs that benefit career development, including help with funding AP classes in rural schools, from a corporate Alternative Minimum Tax of 1-5% of corporations over one million dollars in gross income. I also support closing some tax loopholes to help fund more affordable Community college education.

Most of CD 4’s communities are in rural Arizona. What are your plans to make sure rural Arizona’s voice is heard?

I will keep in close contact with Chambers of Commerce throughout the district after elected to Congress. I plan on helping to fill in the gaps in educational funding by supporting computer coding and robotics classes for schools in rural areas.

These are the careers of the future and we need to prepare now. I will support a large budget for PILT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) funding that benefits areas with large areas of federally owned land, to help fund municipal services. I will support in-

Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce Candidate Guide

novative plans to help rural hospitals survive and thrive. Health care is an in-demand career for rural areas. We need to be able to attract Nurse Practitioners and medical assistants to help supply the demand. Health insurance CEO salaries are astronomical and could be brought to be within more reason, to help afford to keep medical care in rural areas alive and strong.

Water is our livelihood and the most precious resource in the Lake Havasu City area. What is your position on Colorado River water transfers out of Arizona’s rural communities that border this critical resource?

We need to create an official policy on water in Arizona. We may find we come up short on need vs demand, so many Arizona Governors have delayed analyzing our current and future needs more thoroughly. I am strongly considering not allowing foreign corporations to do business with our water supply, either through farming or through controlling residential supply.

All of the water and major farming operations in America need to be owned by American-owned companies.

Banning water-intensive crops may need to come to bear as we balance our water needs. Industrial Hemp has been legalized

by Governor Ducey. This may be a great alternative for the alfalfa and cotton crops. I envision further manufacturing industry being available from this change of crop. Hemp is used in place of wood, is more lightweight and may make sense for Recreational Vehicle applications. Arizona is a magnet for RVs and it makes sense that we support more RV factories here.

I support using reclaimed water for all golf courses, to keep them alive and attracting seasonal residents and visitors. I am encouraged by Bill Gates planned town in Buckeye, particularly his ideas for zero waste and using desalinization for brackish groundwater.

The word “tax” is one that businesses would like to eliminate from their vocabulary. What are two things you would do to lessen the burden for taxes on business?

I will keep taxes lower for working and single people, as we have now in the federal tax plan this year. However, I would change the current plan so that deductions and credits can be made for state taxes as they had been made previously, for small businesses. I do not plan on raising the tax rate for individuals higher than the current top rate of 37%.

I plan on shifting the tax burden to larger businesses, since we have seen that wealth does not trickle down on its own, it needs help of regulation. I propose a 1-5% Alternative Minimum Tax on corporations grossing over $1 million as I have discussed earlier (More specifics can be found at www.Perez2018.org/Platform.)

This will help to generate fiscal discipline (I’m thinking of GE being at risk of bankruptcy, and how they paid no taxes). This will also help to put money back into the stable, civil society that large businesses benefit from. When business contributes properly as was done in the 1950s and 60s, taxes were higher and America was “at its greatest.” I am a believer in capitalism, but a balanced capitalism that benefits all of the people.

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Candidates for

US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONGRESSMAN PAUL GOSAR (R) Why are you running for the US House of Representatives?

I remain motivated, committed and determined to restore our great country from all the harm caused by the Obama Administration and even poorly thought out policies prior to Obama. The economy, healthcare, and immigration, as well as our court system, were in disarray when I first got to Congress.

But after several terms I have helped improve our economy, lowered taxes, fought to secure our borders and fought to end Obamacare.

Water is our livelihood and the most precious resource in the Lake Havasu City area. What is your position on Colorado River water transfers out of Arizona’s rural communities that border this critical resource?

I have focused on water issues, water power, and water sustainability since first elected. I championed the Bill Williams Water Settlement law that preserved water rights in Mohave County.

The word “tax” is one that businesses would like to eliminate from their vocabulary. What are two things you would do to lessen the burden for taxes on business?

I voted for the historic tax reform that lowered tax rates for all individuals and businesses in the United States. This was a very proud moment for me and the rest of Republicans who voted for this once in a life time reform.

What are the top three issues facing businesses in CD 4?

Making sure federal laws do not hinder business development and growth in our state, making sure our borders are secure against drug smugglers, human traffickers, repealing growth killing regulations, and restoring our military greatness.

Most of CD 4’s communities are in rural Arizona. What are your plans to make sure rural Arizona’s voice is heard?

I am chairman of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Minerals, and on the House Natural Resources Committee. I am also Chairman of the Western Caucus. I deal with helping rural issues daily, including PILT, Secure Rural Schools, veterans care, infrastructure, etc. For example, my bill allowing the sale of over 8,000 acres of federal land to La Paz County will allow for economic development in areas where it was previously banned.

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Candidates for

US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HARYAKSHA GREGOR KNAUER (GRN) Why are you running for the US House of Representatives?

I am the peace candidate: not only is the bloated U.S. military making enemies all around the globe, they’re also wrecking the U.S. economy.

I am running a no-gift campaign: electoral reform is way overdue, and we should have publicly-funded campaigns in order to keep out the deep-pocket and secret donors. (The headlines are making a big stink about Russian involvement in the U.S. presidential election, which happens to be illegal. The racketeer-influenced corrupt organizations, which are the Dem and Republican parties, conduct similar operations, which happen to be legal.)

I am a regular wage-worker. We need a Congress member who will represent working people. (By the way, I pledge that my staffers will get a livable wage.)

I will work diligently with colleagues to reverse the damage foisted on our country and the world by the current administration.

What are the top three issues facing businesses in CD 4?

Year-round business would be a boon to the bottom line in west coast communities like LHC. Climate change will have to be addressed. When temperatures rise, air travel will no longer be viable. I’d really like to see rail expanded and promoted. CD4 still has remnants of a thriving rail system, for example in Kingman. Fossil fuels must be retired, and alternatives created: solar is a tremendous opportunity for the whole state. We could and should lead the way in getting people off the grid.

Most of CD 4’s communities are in rural Arizona. What are your plans to make sure rural Arizona’s voice is heard?

(It’s really in the Arizona state legislature, not so much the U.S. Congress, where rural voices hold no sway.)

In the U.S. Congress, I will help eliminate the Electoral College.

I will work toward equal protection for all. I will make it a priority to restore treaties that the federal government has made with sovereign indigenous peoples. I will join the groundswell working to update the Mining Act of 1872, so that multinationals can no longer extract resources without compensating us fairly with royalties and more realistic permitting fees. All of rural America is being pillaged like a colony.

Tourism suffers when the environment is ravaged. I will help restore environmental protections.

Water is our livelihood and the most precious resource in the Lake Havasu City area. What is your position on Colorado River water transfers out of Arizona’s rural communities that border this critical resource?

Of the basin states, Arizona ranks last in priority for access to dwindling Colorado River water. I’d frankly like to see the CAP water going to Phoenix and Tucson to be drastically reduced.

Conservation is not part of their model for water use.

The word “tax” is one that businesses would like to eliminate from their vocabulary. What are two things you would do to lessen the burden for taxes on business?

Utter baloney! Business owners know that an educated workforce is essential, and the children of business owners also deserve access to quality education. Taxes go toward public education. Taxes provide infrastructure. Businesses will not thrive without paved roads, fire and police, municipal pride. The state and the country are plagued by idealogues who say they want to “starve the beast.” We must get past this debilitating groupthink, pitch in together, and throw the bums out.

End the so-called war on drugs. Prisons-for-profit are an abomination, too. We can follow the lead of states like Colorado, Nevada and California, where the marijuana industry is up and running.

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Candidates for

GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ARIZONA GOVERNOR DOUGLAS A. DUCEY (R) Why are you running for Governor?

Three years ago, Arizona was still struggling to recover from the recession and families were hurting. Today, Arizona is growing and getting stronger. Since 2015, Arizona has added 238,000 jobs and 300 companies have relocated or expanded in the state. Unemployment is at its lowest rate in a decade.

With new jobs and a growing economy, we’ve been able to invest in areas that matter most, like K-12 education and public safety. In the last three years, Arizona has added $2.7 billion to K-12 public schools and provided teachers 20% pay raises by 2020. In addition, we’ve created Arizona’s Border Strike Force to enhance security along Arizona’s southern border, aimed at stopping drug cartels and human traffickers. But we have more to do. I’m running for governor because I want to continue working for Arizonans to secure our future. A secure economy. Secure schools. A secure border. Safe neighborhoods.

What are your unique qualifications?

Before becoming governor, I served as Arizona treasurer. Prior to that, I had a 26-year career in the private sector, including serving as CEO of Cold Stone Creamery, where we grew a small company with a handful of locations to one with over 1,440 locations around the world.

How do you plan to support business?

I get a kick out of politicians who say they are going to “create jobs.” Jobs are not created by politicians. They are created by hard-working entrepreneurs putting in the hours and taking risks to expand their businesses. This is something I saw firsthand as a CEO at Cold Stone Creamery and it’s what influences our approach today.

The most effective thing government can do to support business is build the framework and create the environment where business–especially small businesses–can thrive. That means a low-tax, less-regulatory approach.

What are you doing/what will you do to support economic development and tourism relative to Lake Havasu City?

Lake Havasu City is one of Arizona’s biggest attractions for visitors from all over the country. To grow this reputation, we will continue to focus on creating a less-regulatory enviornment that allows small businesses to thrive, improving local and regional assets like our state parks and transportation infrastructure, and enhancing public safety.

For the past two years, Arizona State Parks and Trails have achieved record revenue and attendance, allowing us to put more money back into our parks and improve experiences for residents and visitors alike. We want to do even more, and will continue to focus on sound mangament practices that have made Arizona’s parks the best-managed in the nation.

In addition, the recession hit many county and local governments hard. With over 238,000 new jobs and 200,000 new residents added to the state since 2015, we’ve been able to reverse many recession-era budget transfers, allowing for greater investments in rural roads and public safety. This includes ending $706,500 in budget transfers from Mohave County and adding an additional $550,000 in state assistance in fiscal year 2019 alone.

Water is our lifeline. What can be done to protect Colorado River water in rural Arizona from being transferred out of the legislative districts that border the river?

Arizona has the most far-sighted set of water-management laws, policies, and practices in the country and they have positioned the state to thrive, for our economy to grow, and for our citizens to prosper. Arizona and the western United States are well into epochal drought conditions that require immediate attention.

For the sake of our immediate prospects, for future generations and for the economic well-being of the state as a whole, now is the time for us to act to deal with the issues of declining water supplies on the Colorado River. We must adopt the Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) while also addressing the excess water pool, tribal ICS, an Arizona conservation plan and mitigation for CAP agriculture. These are tools that are necessary to make the DCP happen.

It also means investing in education, which we’ve done. $2.7 billion in new spending on education and a 10% increase in per-pupil spending will help ensure we have the workforce our employers need for tomorrow’s jobs.

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Candidates for

GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ARIZONA DAVID GARCIA (D) Why are you running for Governor?

I’m running for governor because under-funded public education means our kids can’t compete in the global economy and we can’t offer a skilled workforce to companies considering our state.

We’ve already lost major corporate relocation bids because companies find it impossible to attract talent to a state that doesn’t support families.

And I’m running because too many people are forced to work multiple jobs in order to make ends meet and many families are just one illness away from bankruptcy. We need leadership that will look out for working families.

And finally, I know we can’t make meaningful change with the same special interests steering the ship. That’s why I’ve refused to accept any contributions from lobbyists. For too long, special interests have used their influence to exempt themselves from laws and taxes. What we need is a level playing field where everyone pulls their weight.

What are your unique qualifications?

Considering the number one challenge facing Arizona is education and education represents fully 50% of the state budget, my background makes me uniquely qualified to be governor.

As the former Associate Superintendent of Schools for the State of Arizona, an analyst for the State Senate, a professor of education at ASU, a national education expert, U.S. Army veteran and, most importantly, as a father of two, I am ready to lead and will not sit idly by as Arizona’s public schools continued to languish near the bottom for per pupil funding and graduation rates, while remaining dead last in teacher pay.

How do you plan to support business?

I’ve mentioned that I believe a strong public education system is important to our economy because it trains young people for the jobs of the future, provides a skilled workforce, and answers a critical question for the families of potentially relocating employees. That is certainly true for K-12, and is why I am a strong proponent of our public schools, but is also true for community colleges.

Finally, I will prioritize the infrastructure our state depends on and which the current administration has let degrade. For instance, high-speed broadband internet access, especially in rural and tribal Arizona that connects ALL of our residents to the global economy. But also protected funding for the building and maintenance of our roads, highways and bridges that will make it easy and safe for people and goods to move to every corner of the state.

What are you doing/what will you do to support economic development and tourism relative to Lake Havasu City?

I have mentioned the ways that I will work to support businesses throughout the state, but some of these things, such as the connectivity that comes with high-speed internet service and a dedicated, protected, highway fund are particularly important to rural Arizona and Lake Havasu. Additionally, I believe our town Main Streets should be preserved and revitalized as an important part of both an infrastructure and tourism strategy.

We need more investment in in-state tourism, and with so many options for hiking, biking, boating, fishing, golfing, off-roading, and dining, Lake Havasu is a beautiful place and a true tourism destination site. That’s why I support the enactment of a state Historic Tax Credit (that 35 other states already utilize to strengthen the federal Historic Tax Credit). It is why I also support bringing back the Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund that was swept by the Legislature and removed from statute during the state’s budget crisis. I will listen to communities and help pursue innovative strategies to further boost rural economies through strong town centers.

Water is our lifeline. What can be done to protect Colorado River water in rural Arizona from being transferred out of the legislative districts that border the river?

In Arizona, water is not only a state-wide issue, it is also a local issue that has implications for the future success of rural communities. As Governor, I will work with all stakeholders on water issues, including local leaders who know the needs of their communities best. Working together in an open process, we can develop a sustainable plan for Arizona’s future water resources that recognizes the importance of addressing state-wide and local water challenges, including empowering rural communities to plan for their economic future and provide enough water for their communities to thrive.

Arizona’s rural communities deserve a Governor who understands that our heritage as a sound steward of water resources rests on the work done by community leaders around the state.

I hope to build on that heritage and work with rural leaders to find sustainable solutions that work for all Arizonans.

Institutions like Mohave Community College are perfectly suited to train (or sometimes re-train and re-tool) Arizonans for the jobs of the 21st Century. They are already equipped to provide the skills needed to compete for jobs in modern agriculture, technology, manufacturing, programming, solar and renewable energy, building trades, and medicine.

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Candidates for

ARIZONA SECRETARY OF STATE SECRETARY MICHELE REAGAN (R) Why are you running for Arizona Secretary of State?

I want to continue serving as Secretary of State to build upon the successes from my first term. When I took office everything was filed on paper and one of our systems was still using DOS. In 3 years we have transitioned nearly every system online so Arizonans can file documents when it is convenient for them, and not government. As a former small business owner, I understand time is money and my goal is to save people doing business with our office the inconvenience of having to drive down to the Capitol.

What are the top three (3) business issues in our state?

One of my top priorities next term is to work with the Arizona Corporation Commission to create a single filing point for new businesses. We should always be vigilant to safely reducing burdensome regulations and cut red tape. Outside the purview of the SOS office, we must ensure Arizona has a highly-capable workforce for all industries looking to locate in Arizona.

What will you do to increase voter participation?

After taking office in 2015 I hired two voting rights ambassadors.

The job of these individuals is to educate voters throughout Arizona about the importance of participating in our elections.

I believe that students should learn the importance of voting in elementary school instead of high school. Exposing them early to the process will hopefully reap benefits in the future, and they also love going home to tell their parents about the importance of voting.

What are your unique qualifications?

Former small business owner, Chairwoman House Commerce Committee, Chairwoman Senate Elections Committee.

How do you plan to support business?

As a former small business owner, I understand the many challenges faced in dealing with government, so I have used that background to help mold the office into something that makes doing business in Arizona as painless as possible. Transitioning to online systems has greatly reduced wait times and gives businesses opportunities to have questions answered quickly.

We have also reinstituted a culture of customer service into our business services division to help them navigate the government process.

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Candidates for

ARIZONA SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION SUPERINTENDENT DIANE DOUGLAS (R) Why are you running for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction?

First, I want to ensure that all our students are prepared to fulfill their goals and become successful citizens.

I ran to repeal and replace Common Core. This was accomplished in December, 2016.

Our new math and English standards require students to memorize their math facts, write/read cursive; strengthen phonics reading, additionally learn to tell time and count money. We are reviewing science and social studies standards, which have not been updated since 2005, to ensure a quality education.

Second is accountability for the taxpayers’ dollars. I inherited a department long run by politicians more interested in their next office than running ADE. With my financial background, I have been able to implement sweeping changes in ADE that not only reduced administrative staff, but also corrected grants distributions that had been neglected for decades.

I am running for re-election to continue this work on behalf of AZ children and taxpayers.

What are your qualifications?

A primary responsibility of the Dept. of Education (ADE) is to allocate federal, state and local funding to our districts and charter schools. I have degrees in finance/accounting/marketing and a background in finance. It’s critical to have someone with financial experience when a fundamental function of ADE is to distribute billions of taxpayer dollars.

I’ve been involved in AZ education for over 25 years; serving from 2005-2012 on the Peoria U.S.D governing board. My recent service and long-term involvement gives me a thorough understanding of the challenges facing AZ education from the local, state and federal levels and possible solutions.

How does the State Superintendent’s office work with business?

Since taking office I have increased ADE’s policy group to work with industry and lobbying groups and insure their concerns are heard. I communicate with leaders of organizations such as ABEC – AZ Business/ Education Coalition. One of major component of the AZ Kid’s Can’t Wait plan, recommending an extension and small increase to Prop301 in order to increase teacher pay, was unveiled at ABEC. ADE has a robust CTE program which works with industries and Career Technical Student Organizations. Our CTSOs help over 40,000 students explore career options. I recently attended the ACTEaz conference in support of CTE. I co-chair the AZ CTE Quality Skills Commission with former Superintendent Carolyn Warner. This commission brings together industry representatives, ADE personnel, district educators/administrators and our J-TEDs (soon to be C-TEDs – C-Technical Education Districts) to discuss and set standards for programs to serve our students.

I have never believed that every student must attend college or university. There are many high paying, career opportunities for our students. Our duty at ADE is to support our schools, C-TEDs and industry to ensure our students are aware of these opportunities and are able to receive appropriate industry training and certification if that is their chosen path.

Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce Candidate Guide

What will be your duties and responsibilities be if elected?

The responsibility of the superintendent is to oversee the operations of the AZ Dept. of Education (ADE). The duty of ADE is to allocate billions of dollars of federal title funding, state and local funding to our districts and charter schools. We monitor those programs so that the students are receiving the services to which they are entitled. ADE administers the Empowerment Scholarship program to ensure parents get the funding to which they are entitled but also to provide accountability for the taxpayer dollars in the program.

That being said, in my opinion, the most important duty of the superintendent, as the only statewide elected official responsible for education, is to represent the opinions of all AZ parents, taxpayers and students; to provide them a voice in decisions being made on their behalf at the state level. That is why I created the We are Listening Tour. I conducted almost 60 town hall meetings in 3 years to give all Arizonans a place at the table. From that input, each year, I release a formal plan to improve AZ education called AZ Kids Can’t Wait.

Last but not least, I or my designees, serve on all boards pertaining to education.

Do you support the Invest in Education Initiative? Why or why not?

I am the only elected official who has consistently been advocating, over the past 3 ½ years, for increased funding for education and teacher pay.

I recommended an 11% increase in teacher salaries and a renewal of Proposition 301 at the beginning of the legislative session. I’m pleased both recommendations were ultimately addressed - Prop 301 was extended so that our governing boards will not face a devastating fiscal cliff in their budgets and teachers now will receive a very significant increase. While I have suggested several funding alternatives in my AZ Kids Can’t Wait plans, I am always open to exploring new ways to support our education system.

However, I don’t support more stop gap measures, such as the Invest in Ed proposal which focus on a small segment of taxpayers, rather we must look for a long term solution. I believe that if Invest for Ed proposition passes it will have an adverse effect on our economy, harm our small business owners – our job creators - and ultimately endanger the “20 by 2020” proposal to increase teachers’ salaries. Our public education system belongs to ALL Arizonans. The responsibility for funding it should not fall only to a few.

What would be your perfect method of funding public education?

I don’t believe there is one “perfect” funding mechanism for our schools because of some of our limitations. Other states have the advantage of a much higher percentage of state land owned privately.

Our small portion of privately owned land limits our ability to rely solely on property taxes.

I did recommend an extension and a small increase to Prop 301 to support teacher pay because it was the only vehicle readily available at the time. However, sales taxes hurt the most financially vulnerable among our citizens and can be very undependable due to swings in the economy.

We need to ensure a robust, growing economy. Arizona needs a funding stream exclusively for our K-12 education system. It’s been promised in the past through Indian gaming, the lottery and Prop 301.

But none have provided the promised revenue or been exclusively to fund K-12 education.

Many western states use an excise tax which brings funding into their state from the sale of their natural resources. Is this a viable funding alternative for Arizona to bring dollars into our state to support education? I believe this is an idea we should, at the very least, be willing to discuss and explore.

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Candidates for

ARIZONA SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION FRANK RIGGS (R) Why are you running for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction?

I’m running to provide the leadership that’s been critically missing in this important office.

I have the right combination of skills to lead the AZ Dept. of Education and our state’s K-12 education system: high-level executive experience in the private, nonprofit and education sectors; a deep knowledge of education policies and practices at the local, state and federal levels; and the legislative and political acumen to build collegial working relationships and forge consensus to expand educational opportunity and improve educational outcomes for all Arizona students.

I want to stabilize K-12 education funding by indexing it to student enrollment growth and inflation and address the acute teacher shortage – and recruit and retain the best teachers for AZ students – by benchmarking teacher compensation and paying our teachers competitively with neighboring states in the Southwest Region. I also want to close the “Achievement Gap” for students developmentally behind peer and grade level.

What are your qualifications?

I’m the only candidate with a proven record of executive, educational and legislative leadership, and the only candidate who’s been an education leader at the local, state and federal levels: elected school board member/president; founding president of an Arizona statewide, accredited, online K-12 school; and U.S. Congressman and Chairman of the House Primary and Secondary Education Subcommittee where I authored legislation on special education, career-technical education and charter schools.

I’m a successful businessman, former CEO of a national, awardwinning education nonprofit, university instructor, and a teacher and coach. I’m also an Army veteran and former police officer who will work to make our schools safer.

How does the State Superintendent’s office work with business?

As a business owner and former CEO, I know the business community has a vital interest in an educated and trained workforce. As a candidate, I’ve heard repeated concerns from employers about the lack of qualified job applicants. I will work closely with the business community (and their representative organizations like the Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce) to close the “Skills Gap” in our state economy, e.g., 10K unfilled jobs in the construction trades and a like number of unfilled computer jobs in information technology and the digital economy. I want to explore incentives for businesses that offer internships, apprenticeships, OJT and work-study opportunities. I will closely consult with the business community in all parts of AZ on expanding and coordinating career-technical education at the secondary and post-secondary levels to align with the needs and opportunities of the workforce.

What will be your duties and responsibilities be if elected?

To provide the high-level executive leadership and management of ADE in its critical mission of implementing and administering

Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce Candidate Guide

all state and federal policies and programs for K-12 education, as well as the $10 billion in local, state & federal funding we spend on K-12 education (with full accountability and transparency). As the statewide constitutional officer responsible for leading our K-12 education system, the Superintendent also has a bully pulpit and must be a credible and articulate advocate on behalf of parents, students, educators, employers & taxpayers. I think the challenge of leadership, especially in the role of Supt. of Public Instruction, is to reconcile competing and divergent viewpoints in order to forge a common vision & consensus about the policies that are in the best interest of Arizona’s 1.2 million K-12 students to prepare them for college, career & citizenship. I think I’ve demonstrated those qualities throughout my adult life and career, including my service in Congress.

Do you support the Invest in Education Initiative?

Why or why not?

I am strongly opposed to the “InvestInEd” ballot initiative to raise taxes.

As a former CEO, I know the initiative is really a tax increase on entrepreneurs and job creators, and on capital formation and investment. I believe it would harm and destabilize our state’s economy and lead to loss of businesses and jobs. That, in turn, would reduce tax revenues over the long haul for all state government services, including K-12 education, the largest item in the state budget.

I haven’t heard any of the “InvestInEd” promoters decry the recent state standardized test results showing 56% of third-graders aren’t proficient in reading, the foundation of all learning. The people pushing “InvestInEd” all have one thing in common: they want to increase individual income taxes but decrease parental school choice. Their constant refrain is “we don’t want our tax dollars” going to support charter schools and private school scholarships. Any increase in funding for K-12 education should also embrace greater accountability for all students learning, and the robust competition and school choice we have in Arizona.

What would be your perfect method of funding public education?

I think public education primarily should be funded through property and income taxes. We’re too dependent at present on sales taxes which account for more than 50% of state government revenue and are inherently regressive as they disproportionately impact fixed and low-income individuals. Additional funding should be provided for rural school districts which don’t have the economy of scale of large, urban districts and for districts/schools that serve a significant number of the disadvantaged, more-difficult-toeducate segments of the student population: low-income, non or limited English speaking, students with special needs and learning disabilities, Native American students and foster children.

Only 17.6% of Arizona land is privately owned. As a state cochairman for Prop 123, I believe we can further increase distributions from the State Land Trust that has grown in value by $1 billion since the passage of Prop 123. We need to eliminate unfunded federal and state mandates for K-12 education (regulations with no corresponding appropriation or funding source). I also want to substantially increase dollars to the classroom. The State Auditor General says that just 54 cents of every dollar approved by the state legislature for K-12 education actually is spent for classroom teaching and learning.

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Candidates for

ARIZONA SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION DAVID SCHAPIRA (D) Why are you running for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction?

My children are the fourth generation of Schapiras to go to Arizona public schools. We’ve witnessed the de-evolution of the Arizona school system at the hands of our leaders at the state Capitol in recent decades.

All Arizona students, including my own children, deserve better pathways to opportunity.

I believe high-quality education is the key to a better future for our kids and our state. Too many state superintendents have seen the position as a political stepping stone and failed to invest their time and energy into ensuring our state’s school system is top-notch. I’m running because I believe in the power of education to benefit young people and to be a great tool for economic development, benefiting every Arizonan by improving Arizona’s economic future.

What are your qualifications?

I began my career as a high-school teacher and later worked as an administrator and ASU instructor. On the Tempe Council, I’ve partnered with school districts, non-profits and businesses to increase educational opportunities for students. I served on my local school board and in the AZ House and Senate, including as Minority Leader. I served on the Education Committee, including four years as ranking member. I’ve been an educator and school administrator for most of my career. I have also run a small business, earning valuable experience managing private-sector employees and budgets. I earned my master’s in Education Leadership from ASU. How does the State Superintendent’s office work with business?

For too long, AZ state superintendents have neglected the connection between strong schools and businesses. An investment in public education is an investment in the future economic success of Arizona. When businesses decide to locate or remain in a state, they take into account the viability of the public school system. Business leaders I speak with wish to ensure great educational opportunities for their employees’ families, and they also wish to operate in a locale that has a sustainable, educated workforce. We need a dynamic, modern and innovative education system here in Arizona because good schools are major drivers for attracting and retaining businesses that can lead to economic prosperity for all Arizonans.

One of the primary objectives of our education system is to prepare the workforce of tomorrow. Business has to be at the table to ensure that our schools are providing students the skills and knowledge they need for success in a 21st-century workforce. At EVIT, I worked closely with business and industry to form lasting partnerships that lead to vital innovations in the way we deliver education at our campuses. I look forward to continuing to foster those relationships for the same purposes at the state level.

What will be your duties and responsibilities be if elected?

The primary responsibility of the state superintendent is to serve as the leader of the Department of Education. For too long, the current

Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce Candidate Guide

superintendent has created a caustic work environment, misappropriated millions of dollars and failed to operate the department as a clearing house of best practices. The 600 employees there need both clear leadership and the autonomy to do their jobs. Our next superintendent must have a proven track record of leadership experience. Having been a school administrator, managing over 150 employees, I’m prepared for this role. Unfortunately, our current superintendent has left the department in disarray, meaning there will be a substantial transition period to get things cleaned up to better support Arizona schools and students. Our educators and students deserve better.

The second critical responsibility of the job is to be the voice of the education system at the state Capitol. The superintendent should participate in every Education Committee hearing and be a part of the budget process, responsibilities shirked by the current superintendent. The superintendent has the duty of ensuring the other elected leaders at the Capitol know the potential impacts of policy and budget decisions. It is the superintendent’s job to give voice to those impacts.

Do you support the Invest in Education Initiative? Why or why not?

Currently, our public school system has 1.1 billion dollars less than it did in 2008. We are consistently ranked near the bottom nationally on rankings for per-student spending. Our educators, students and state deserve a robust and properly funded education system.

Unfortunately, our elected leaders have failed to carry out their constitutional obligation to adequately fund our schools. The 8% increase from the legislature’s most recent budget, calculated only for teachers, is not enough to get us back to pre-recession funding levels. The Invest in Education Initiative helps alleviate some of the missing capital issue. Contrary to what some people believe, Invest in Ed does not double the income tax burden of high income earners and small businesses. The reality of the Invest in Education Initiative is that a married couple with income and/or distributed profits from a small business totalling $700,000 in a year will see less than a 1% increase in their annual state income taxes. Given the needs of our school system and the trends in income taxes over the last 30 years in Arizona, I do believe that we should look into innovative measures that will bring our school funding back to pre-recession funding levels.

What would be your perfect method of funding public education?

In a perfect world, our state legislature would fulfill its constitutional responsibility to adequately fund our public school system.

Our school system does not have adequate funds to meet the needs of our students. When I was a child, state leaders invested in Arizona’s neighborhood schools. I had access to well-resourced public schools within walking distance from my home. Too many AZ children no longer have that access. In 2017-18, our schools were trying to do the same job they did 10 years ago with $1.1 billion less.

Schools are crumbling as districts receive a fraction of infrastructure funds compared to what they received 10 years ago. We cannot let our neighborhood schools fall apart. Our state’s formulas for M&O and capital costs must be fully funded to meet the needs of students and educators. AZ’s per-pupil funding still lags behind most of the rest of the nation. Schools need a diverse and balanced mix of revenue from property, income and sales taxes. Our system has become over-reliant on volatile and regressive sales taxes; I will continue to advocate for a more diverse and sufficient revenue structure.

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Candidates for

STATE SENATE OF ARIZONA SENATOR SONNY BORRELLI (R) Why are you running for State Senate?

To continue the positive momentum we have gained in western Arizona over that last six years. To be steadfast to ensure that continued success is not to be undermined

by Special Interest Groups that do not have Rural Arizona best interests.

What are your unique qualifications?

I have a strong sense of loyalty for our District and not afraid of a fight to take on tough issues, that will negatively impact us in rural Arizona.

I have six years of Legislative experience that proves just that.

What would be your perfect method of funding public education? Do you support the Invest in Education Initiative?

The Invest in Ed Initiative is a scam hiding behind K12, to raise taxes. It’s a job and small business KILLER and will even negatively impact the Personal Income Tax Index. If passed, could completely tie the hands of the Legislature to reform the State Income and Business Tax Code. Economic Development is the TRUE key for more Education dollars.

Should Colorado River water be transferred outside the legislative districts that border this critical resource? What kind of oversight should the government have regarding the Central Arizona project?

NO to transferring ANY ground water. This is where leadership, team work, building relationships with County, City Officials and other Rural Legislators comes in to play. By uniting, standing together and building coalitions with other rural Legislators, they will realize they could be next. Central Arizona Project will just have to seek elsewhere for additional resources.

We realize you are running unopposed in the primary; however, if you win in November, how do you plan to support business?

Yes! I co-sponsored and helped pass a Bill that established the Construction Liability Apportionment Study Committee that will take an in-depth look into the availability and affordability of insurance, frivolous construction claims, and more. I have been endorsed by NFIB and the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce.

Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce Candidate Guide

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Candidates for

STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF ARIZONA LEO BIASIUCCI (R) Why are you running for State House of Representatives?

Being born and raised here in Lake Havasu has allowed me the opportunity to appreciate everything this great place has to offer. I am now at a point in my life where I am ready to give back to the place that has given me so much. I want to provide our citizens with a legislator who understands the wants and needs of Mohave and La Paz Counties, and a legislator who will do everything they can to keep our freedoms in place.

I want to make sure that I can preserve our constitutional rights, keep our state fiscally responsible, and provide our citizens with the freedoms that they are entitled. Most importantly, I am running to do what is best for the people of my district and for the state of Arizona.

What are your unique qualifications?

I was born and raised in Lake Havasu City and feel that I understand what it takes to represent rural Arizona at legislation.

I know that the only way anything gets accomplished at the Capitol is if we have a solid district 5 team who will work together and respect each other. I am a team player who will fight for rural Arizona, I will listen to my constituents, and I will never think that I am above the law. I am a small business owner who also has experience as a LHC Planning and Zoning Commissioner and a board member on the LHC Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

What would be your perfect method of funding for public education?

The Governor, the legislature, and the education community should always take their time when finding a funding source for education. I think the Governor and the caucus did a good job providing a 20% raise by 2020, but I think it could have been handled differently. I believe we need to find a legitimate funding source, like acquiring and selling some of the 85% of federal land in Arizona. We also need to make sure the money is being spent responsibly by our local school districts. This is a big reason why I want to be able to sit on the education committee once elected to the Arizona House. I come from a family of educators and I want to be a voice for education. Most importantly, I want to make sure financially sound decisions happen in the future.

Water is our lifeblood in northwestern Arizona. What can be done to prevent Colorado River water transfers to the CAP or other water agencies from the rural communities/legislative districts that border the river?

I have been following the water crisis for over a year now and I am here to tell you that we can’t allow our water to be transfered. Once we transfer our water, it is not coming back. Although the bigger cities are trying to take our water to plan for their future growth, it is extremely irresponsible for them to think that their growth is more important than ours. Instead of taking our water, they should be implementing ways to conserve water.

Rural Arizona should not have to suffer just because the metro areas didn’t conserve water effectively. I will always fight for our water and it is vital that we elect representatives who understand why it’s important to stop any transfers. Representative Cobb and Senator Borrelli have been doing a great job fighting for our water and I want to be the third piece of the legislative team who will help them continue this fight.

How do you plan to support business?

We need to make sure that we don’t overregulate businesses.

The Governor has done a great job keeping regulations low and the tax rate at a competitive level. But I also want to make sure all of the incentives don’t just benefit large businesses, because small businesses have a significant impact in Mohave and La Paz counties. I would love to see a state that attract large businesses but still provided a friendly environment for small businesses to thrive. This requires less regulations on all types of businesses and lower tax responsibilities. This will help ease the burden of the rising minimum wage, which has proven to negatively impact small businesses. I also support tort reform because businesses do not want to locate to a heavily litigious state.

Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce Candidate Guide

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Candidates for

STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF ARIZONA REPRESENTATIVE REGINA COBB (R) Why are you running for State House of Representatives?

I am running for State Representative in 2018 for the same reasons I did in 2014.

There are so many issues that are made at the state level of government that influence our daily lives. In the past, it seemed like the rural areas were left out of the equation.

Over the last four years that I have been in office, I have made a significant impact for District 5. I have made strides in how we are perceived and what we can accomplish when our representation is solid.

We have some tough issues in front of us this next two years, water, energy, health costs to Arizona as well as outside forces moving to tax our citizens. I am a strong force and will continue to fight for theses issues.

What are your unique qualifications?

I think I am uniquely qualified for this position because I am the only candidate that has four years of experience as a state legislator. The first two years in office I worked to establish my strength in the House, which set me up to be the Chair of Health and Welfare Appropriations. As the chair, I helped create the budget out of the house, which assured funding for the rural communities. This leadership experience will be crucial as we navigate the next two years, especially with water.

How do you plan to support business?

The best way to insure a great business environment is to insure a great economy. My record speaks for itself. I have worked to decrease regulation and increase the bottom line for all businesses. I have a pro business record and have been named Legislator of the year by Az. Retailers Association In 2018 and in 2017 I was Legislator of the year for the Arizona Tech Council due to my pro business bills and voting record.

I have been a small business owner since 1985 and know the struggles first hand. I will do whatever it takes to make it easy to do business in Arizona.

Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce Candidate Guide

What would be your perfect method of funding for public education?

My perfect funding mechanism for school funding would be through our state lands. If we were able to get our state lands back we would be able to fund education as it was intended to do. If that is not possible then a we should at least receive the agreed upon amount of PILT dollars and not be shortchanged by the federal government. A strong economy will ensure our funding until we are able to do either of the prior mechanisms.

The proposition on the ballot to increase taxes not only on the rich as implied but on all Arizonans, will undermine the economy and set us backwards. Over the last four years we have been able to increase funding for education due to the pro business platform. Why would we change the course now?

Water is our lifeblood in northwestern Arizona. What can be done to prevent Colorado River water transfers to the CAP or other water agencies from the rural communities/legislative districts that border the river?

The transfer of water from our district to anywhere outside our district should be fought from all directions. We have had an all on assault this last year on our water. With each assault we have worked as a team to assure our rights. Myself and Senator Borelli have teamed with the County Supervisors to hit in all directions. Including alerting the AttorneyGenerals office of conflicts. We want CAP to know that we are not an easy target. We have won a few battles but the war has just begun. Water policy will be on the top of my agenda as well as the Governors this next year. I will lead the charge to assure we maintain the water in our district but we all need to fight and not be apathetic on this issue. With each win we have there is an assault to follow.

This is our number one resource and needs to be protected.

I have introduced bills the last three years that have been stalled by other rural legislators worried that our solutions will negatively impact their districts. We need to create a new tool such as a rural water district that could be modified for each area. As I have traveled around the State to hear other water issues, each community has unique issues to their district. We cannot have a one size fits all approach.

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Candidates for

COUNTY SUPERVISOR, DISTRICT 5 RON GOULD (R) Why are you running for office?

During the nearly 25-years I have lived and done business in the Lake Havasu Area I have never been satisfied with how the County has been run. They drift back and forth between spending sprees and tax increases, I think this creates an appearance of instability that harms economic growth. I want to help the county project an appearance of stability.

What is the county’s role in keeping Lake Havasu City and the Colorado River open for all recreational use?

Since the Colorado River is the main economic engine for Mohave County it is imperative that it remain open to all recreational uses. The county’s roll is two-fold. The Sheriff’s office provides law enforcement on the river. The County Board of Supervisors use their political authority to push back against any threat of closure regardless of where the threat originates, local, state, or federal.

Would you support alternating Supervisor’s meetings to include Lake Havasu City and Bullhead to accommodate those who are unable to attend the meetings due to the time and distance?

I think that rotating the Board of Supervisors meetings to all 5 districts is a great idea. This was done in the past. It would require some additional staff time, but I feel that government should be accessible to the people. We may want to consider evening meetings to increase accessibility to people that work during the daytime.

Some businesses/residents in District 5 feel disenfranchised by the county when it involves access to county services, facilities, offices and meetings. What will you do to bridge the community-connection gap between Lake Havasu City and Mohave County?

Since most government services for people living inside Lake Havasu city limits are provided by the city, I agree there is a feeling that the county does little for Lake Havasu. I think that services should be de-centralized from Kingman out into the other areas of the county when possible. It is ironic that every year we have a debate over whether the County Treasurer will accept property tax payments in Lake Havasu or not.

Water is our most precious resource. What can you do to prevent Colorado River from being diverted or transferred out of the legislative district?

We need to fight against all threats to our water supply. I will work with our elected leaders at all levels, local, state and federal to preserve our water. I will work with the public to apply the required pressure to these leaders, so they will know the importance of this issue to us. I will not let Mohave County become the Owens Valley of Arizona.

Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce Candidate Guide

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Candidates for

COUNTY SUPERVISOR, DISTRICT 5 SUPERVISOR LOIS WAKIMOTO (R) Why are you running for office?

Although I said that I would not run, because of the situation that has arisen during my tenure that effects the economic development and future growth of the river communities and Mohave County and the potential of losing our water. I felt morally obligated to continue this fight. I continue to work for the betterment for the people through healthcare, parks and building bridges between cities and county.

What is the county’s role in keeping Lake Havasu City and the Colorado River open for all recreational use?

Tourism is one of the most important economic factors to the river cities and Mohave County. This enables us to showcase the value of our area while people enjoy our recreational facilities. Mohave County realizes that this is a major contributor to our area growth and economic development. The county encourages keeping our rivers open for all to enjoy so that we can showcase our area and have worked hard to do so.

Would you support alternating Supervisor’s meetings to include Lake Havasu City and Bullhead to accommodate those who are unable to attend the meetings due to the time and distance?

Although alternating the Supervisor’s meetings to different areas should happen, taking the staff and moving around the county is cost prohibitive because we do not have the funding for it. The county has worked hard to keep people engaged by televising the meetings live and also re-broadcasting them on the website. Until we can find additional funding to do this, the county is doing the best that they can with the money that we have.

Some businesses/residents in District 5 feel disenfranchised by the county when it involves access to county services, facilities, offices and meetings. What will you do to bridge the community-connection gap between Lake Havasu City and Mohave County?

Due to the economic downturn in previous years, services were closed in Lake Havasu. At the present time the county recorder and assessor have just reopened offices in Lake Havasu City. Because of the growth and economic development to our county, we are hoping to add additional services soon.

Thereby being more accessible to businesses and residents. I will continue to work hard and stay in touch with the Mayor and City Council to build bridges to ensure that Lake Havasu City concerns are heard.

Water is our most precious resource. What can you do to prevent Colorado River from being diverted or transferred out of the legislative district?

Water has been a huge focal point during my tenure as supervisor. I have worked hard to involve cities, chambers of commerce, different agencies and most importantly the people of the area by creating awareness of the importance of the issue.

I have conducted numerous town-halls in the effort to continue to keep everyone involved. For the first time in history, as the result of the united front that we have presented, the legislature has come down and hear the concerns that we have about keeping our water in Mohave County. I have also been appointed to the Drought Contingency Plan Steering Committee at the state level to discuss the drought plan program. This is the first time ever that Mohave County has had a seat at the table.

Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce Candidate Guide

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Candidates for

LAKE HAVASU CITY MAYOR NICOLE NORONA Why are you running for Mayor?

Nicole Norona’s decision to run for office and seek the mayor seat comes from her desire to make a difference in how people’s voices are heard. Norona envisions closing the gap between city administration and the public.

She intends to create a collaborative, welcoming environment. Norona’s ability to unify and engage our community is proven by the impact of The Norona Effect, a local charity taking care of families with children suffering from disabilities, critical injuries and life-threatening diseases. There are a number of issues facing Lake Havasu City. How we decide to tackle them as a community is incredibly important. Education, public safety, water rights and the economy are at the top of the list. Residents deserve transparency, notably in the area of spending. Norona believes it is time to shift our focus from things (parks, renovations, signs) to people. Nicole Norona is certain to create positive change.

What are your unique qualifications for this office?

Nicole Norona believes there are five crucial candidate elements for voters to consider including: family, religion, education, career history and government experience. 1. Family: Nicole Norona has been a resident of Lake Havasu City since 1979. She married her high-school sweetheart in 1998 and they are parents to daughters Sophia and Ciera. 2. Religion: Nicole Norona is Christian; parish is Our Lady of the Lake. 3. Education: Nicole Norona is an Arizona State University Honors Business Graduate and earned a prestigious International Business Accreditation at the W.P. Carey School of Business. 4. Career History: Nicole Norona has a diverse work history providing her a rich skill set and first-hand experience to draw from. Highlights include owning and operating two local businesses and Senior Management of a $300 million dollar book of business for a Forbes 100 company. 5. Government Experience: Nicole Norona held a Director position with Mesa Public Schools, overseeing 5 programs and 200 people. Norona has experience consulting on government contracts across the nation. Norona is a participating member of the Lake Havasu City Governmental Affairs Committee, Chamber of Commerce. Norona’s love for our community is what drives her and her fundamental values, education, career history and government experience combined make her the best choice for Lake Havasu City.

How do you plan to support business?

Locally owned business plays a key role in advancing economic opportunity. Nicole Norona plans to further relationships with current partners. Partnership for Economic Development works directly with businesses on establishing and reaching goals such as job creation, decreasing expenditures and increasing income. Convention and Visitor Bureau assists businesses by advertising all LHC has to offer such as shopping, dining, entertainment and accommodations. LHC Chamber of Commerce

Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce Candidate Guide

represents business interests within the government. To add to these partner benefits, Nicole Norona will help create smart, effective policy to support businesses by addressing misguided zoning policies, economic development subsidies and tax incentives.

Water is the lifeblood of our community. What is the city’s role in preventing Colorado River water from being transferred out of the region?

Providing safe, clean water each and every time a person opens a tap is a right and expectation of basic city function. Mohave County, with involvement from each city as well as association and organizations, has won the most recent battle for overtaking area water control. Water rights will be a continuous fight.

We must stand steadfast, take initiative and preemptive measures to protect our most precious commodity. Cities within our county must unite. Together we must write policy and present a unified voice to our state legislature that we will protect our water for future generations.

If Proposition 409 passes on Aug. 28, what should be the city’s first item to tackle from the items and programs outlined in the initiative?

If proposition 409 passes, the first issue Lake Havasu City needs to address is compaction. With nearly 500 city employees providing infrastructure to 55,000 people it is important to address compaction across all departments. Employee turnover and retention issues have been brought to the forefront of city meetings over recent years but remain unaddressed due to the current expenditure limitations. Why is this important to our residents? Because there are gaps in service and delayed response times when departments are not operating at full capacity. It costs taxpayers $100,000 to recruit, hire, train and equip a single police officer. Now think about that cost across all city departments and the financial burden placed on taxpayers with as many vacancies as our city departments’ experience. The Fire Department is experiencing the largest compaction issues currently. LHC has lost 7 of 36 first responding firemen within one year. City employees deserve comparable pay and a collaborative work environment. Taxpayers deserve great service and world-class response time. We can do a better job ensuring that our city’s infrastructure is supported with better retention and job security.

What should be the city’s role in providing services or contracting services for social needs in Lake Havasu City?

Social services include a range of public services. These public services aim to promote equality and opportunity within a community and include benefits such as education, food, healthcare, police, fire services and more. Lake Havasu City has a vital role in ensuring social services are identified, addressed and are being served. There are amazing associations, clubs, churches, charities and organizations within our community.

In order to ensure all needs are being met, our city needs to compile a master list of providers and their existing services and resources. Once this task is done, it will be easy to identify which social service needs are not being met. It will also identify which services are being duplicated. Lake Havasu City can help to guide the focus for duplicated services and resources to be redirected and utilized to meet current needs.

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Candidates for

LAKE HAVASU CITY MAYOR VICE MAYOR CAL SHEEHY Why are you running for Mayor?

I was first elected to the Lake Havasu City Council in 2014 and I am finishing my first term. I am currently Vice Mayor. I am running for Mayor to continue to provide stable and solid leadership for the citizens of Lake Havasu City. I am excited to continue to provide common sense leadership on topics of importance to our community. I will continue to focus on quality of life, economic development, job creation, and managed growth. I believe that there is no greater legacy we can leave than to ensure the opportunities for Lake Havasu City residents to have the accessibility to good and well-paying jobs that will enable families to grow and prosper in our community while meeting the needs of all of our citizens.

What are your unique qualifications for this office?

As your current Vice Mayor I am ready to step into the role of Mayor on day one. I have the experience of being an elected City Council Member and working with our citizens, stakeholders, and policy makers to accomplish the business of the City. I have worked collaboratively with citizens, City staff, and Council Members to develop fiscally conservative and balanced budgets for our City.

I am a long time Lake Havasu City resident and a graduate of Lake Havasu High School. I have a bachelor’s degree in business marketing and a master’s degree in business management from University of Phoenix. I am the Vice President and General Manager of London Bridge Resort and our company employs over 250 residents. I have a working knowledge and understanding of finance, budgets, and management.

I am a board member for the Havasu Balloon Festival, Arizona Town Hall and Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association. I am past chairman of the Lake Havasu City Area Chamber of Commerce, past chairman of the Lake Havasu City Convention and Visitors Bureau, and past president of the Lake Havasu Hospitality Association. I am a Rotarian. I am a member of the Vision 20/20 team and a member of the delegation that presented our winning plan for America’s Best Community competition where Lake Havasu City was a $2 million award winner. I was named 2014 Citizen of the Year by the Lake Havasu City Area Chamber of Commerce and 2018 Citizen of the Year by the Elks.

How do you plan to support business?

I have a strong track record of supporting small local business through my involvement with the Chamber of Commerce and the Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee. I am a strong supporter of creating workforce development opportunities, so our local businesses have access to a qualified workforce. I understand the impact of over

Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce Candidate Guide

regulations and burdensome rules that can stifle business and business development. I will continue to work for local businesses reducing red tape and continue to work to make Lake Havasu City a place where it is easy to do business.

Water is the lifeblood of our community. What is the City’s role in preventing water from being transferred out of our region?

Water is paramount to our future. Under my leadership Lake Havasu City will continue to have a strong active role in preventing water transfers from our region. I will continue to work with the County and other elected officials from our neighboring communities and our elected state leaders to ensure that our water is protected. I have been an active participant in the discussions that are going on today and I will continue to be an active participant to secure and protect our water rights in the future. Water will be a key issue that will be ongoing and the City will always have a seat at the table.

If Proposition 409 passes on August 28, 2018, what should be the city’s first item to tackle from the items and programs outlined in the initiative?

Proposition 409 is a procedural vote of the citizens of Lake Havasu City to allow the City to adjust it permanent base from the 1979-80 budget year to a modernized base that addresses the needs of the City today and into the future. Proposition 409 is not a tax increase and is not a tax decrease. It simply allows the City to use the money it already collects to address to the needs of its citizens.

I am confident the voters of Lake Havasu City will see that this State imposed burden is a hindrance to local control and is costly to the citizens of Lake Havasu City. I am confident that we will have a ‘Yes’ vote on Prop. 409.

The benefits of the passage of Prop. 409 include the ability to meet the needs of citizens today. We can restore cuts that were made to programs and services for citizens that were necessary to stay under the State imposed expenditure limitation. We will also be able to restart the conversations on projects that are important to our citizens including Vision 20/20 projects, parks, roads, and public safety infrastructure that had to be stalled because of the expenditure limitation. The conversation regarding City staff compression can also be started again to identify the needs and opportunities for solutions. I encourage a ‘Yes’ vote on Prop. 409.

What should the City’s role be in providing services of contracting services for social needs in Lake Havasu City?

The City’s role in providing services for social needs in Lake Havasu City should be as an advisor to assist our non-profit and faith-based communities with the information they need to be successful to meet their respective missions. It is not the City’s role to social services to citizens, but we can certainly be a partner for information sharing and collaboration to ensure our citizens have access to services that are important to them.

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Candidates for

CITY COUNCIL COUNCILWOMAN JENI COKE Why are you running for city council?

I am committed to serving Lake Havasu City, maintaining an over 95% attendance rate for all meetings during my last 6 years as a council member. I am committed to being fiscally conservative continuing to make sure we have balanced budgets and build reserves. I want to continue to serve the people of Lake Havasu City for the next 4 years. I am invested in the in community and want to help continue to move the Lake Havasu City forward in a positive and stable direction. Having a consistent and forwarding thinking council is key to helping our community thrive.

What are your qualifications?

• 6 years serving the citizens of Lake Havasu City as a council member • 1 year serving as Vice-Mayor of Lake Havasu City • Member of the Tri-City Council for the past 6 years • 14 years of experience working with Lake Havasu Businesses with the Chamber of Commerce • Board Member for the Chamber Foundation of Education and Leadership • Board Member for the Partnership for Economic Development • Graduate of the Havasu Leadership Development and Advanced Havasu Leadership Programs • Served on the Emerging Leaders Council for the Western Association of Chamber Executives • Past President of the Lake Havasu Kiwanis Club • Past United Way Campaign Chairman

Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce Candidate Guide

How do you plan to support business?

I support a clear and calm political climate creating stability for the business sector. At the Federal level there are huge dialogs to be had over issues however; local government’s job is to take care of our community through police, fire, planning, regulation and doing such thinks with fiscal responsibility and efficiency.

We need to continue to be involved as a city in business development. When there is an opportunity to engage with a company wanting to invest in our community it is important that they know Lake Havasu City is interested in working with them to help ensure they are successful.

I will continue to support workforce development initiatives within the community as addressed in the Vision 20/20 plan.

This will help with our attraction of new business to our City.

Also, as addressed in the Vision 20/20 plan a focus on local start-up and small businesses and helping them grow.

If Proposition 409 passes on Aug. 29, what should be the city’s first priority in addressing the needs outlined in the initiative?

A Yes vote on Prop 409 will allow the City to move forward with our current budget and capital improvement projects as we have prioritized in our annual planning retreat. We will be able to continue to provide our citizens with the level of city services and programs that they are accustomed to. We will be able to address our current compensation system as it stands with in the City now and work on developing a new and more effective system. One of the recent projects that we have had to pause was the Sara Park improvements. This will be a project that we will be able to bring back to the table if 409 passes. It is also important that we continue to be fiscally conservative as we have been in recent years.

Should the city be involved in keeping Colorado River water from being transferred outside of the legislative district?

Explain your answer.

I believe the City has an obligation to stay active in the fight against the transferring of our Colorado River water. This issue is not going away and if not closely monitored could have a detrimental effect to our economy and quality of life. We need to stay proactive about all water issues. As we all know if there is not water there is nothing. Keeping our Colorado River water rights local is vital to economic development and maintaining quality of life for our citizens. So yes, the City needs to be involved in keeping the Colorado River water from being transferred.

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Candidates for

CITY COUNCIL RICH CRAYNE Why are you running for city council?

I subscribe to the “Reasonable Man” philosophy and believe that when it comes to city wide concerns, a deeper look should be taken before pushing the “yes” button when asked to vote. I feel as though the current administration has not done it’s due diligence when it comes to spending taxpayer money. I’d like to see more transparency on Council and, I’m prepared to offer that.

What are your qualifications?

My 24 years of experience and discipline in the Navy gives me the ability to objectively and impartially carry out the duties of City Councilman. As a Navy Ambassador to Lake Havasu for 18 years I have learned to communicate the needs of the city and it’s citizens effectively. Founding a successful grassroots program to help the less fortunate with basic necessities, allowed me to build solid relationships and an extensive network within the various charities and churches in town. I am also a DOL certified Counselor professional and kindred, and can provide keen insight on job market demographics, and opportunities.

If Proposition 409 passes on Aug. 29, what should be the city’s first priority in addressing the needs outlined in the initiative?

Prop 409 needs to pass period. Fundamentally it makes no sense not to vote yes, in my opinion. Without a passing vote major cutbacks would have to occur within the city. That includes jobs being lost, programs being cut, and equipment suffering. With a passing vote comes the freedom to explore revenue streams that have other wise been stifled by the expenditure limit. I would like to examine the cities pay structure for it’s employees across the board. The current step program works well, but there are areas that can be tweaked across the board in ALL departments. Having a pay structure that makes sense will only improve retention and motivation for upward mobility. The city is only as good as it’s employees, if their morale is high, their performance will be as well.

Should the city be involved in keeping Colorado River water from being transferred outside of the legislative district?

Explain your answer.

Yes. The city should be taking an active roll to ensure we have a seat at the table when it comes to Colorado River Water. Having representation is important and shows our solidarity and commitment to keeping our most precious natural resource protected.

How do you plan to support business?

The small businesses in Lake Havasu are the backbone of our city. Without them, we would never be able to support our tourism industry and winter visitors. We currently utilize the CVB and the PED to promote our city and it’s business health and growth. While I believe the CVB is doing a fine job, I feel the PED has fallen short. If we are going to provide them with 4% of the hotel and restaurant tax, I’d like to see more substantial results. I think the onion needs to be peeled back and things needs to be examined as to whether this is the best arrangement for our city.

Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce Candidate Guide

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Candidates for

CITY COUNCIL JIM DOLAN Why are you running for city council?

I love Lake Havasu City. I was born and raised here, and I now raise my family here as well. I believe our city needs strong leadership and people that can make tough decisions based on what is best for the community. I have great respect for what this city has accomplished and I would be proud to help keep it on the right track.

What are your qualifications?

I am the owner of Campbell Cove 1-Stop. We have been in business for nearly 10 years and currently have 17 employees.

I’m very active in this amazing community including being Past President of the Lake Havasu City Rotary Club and the Havasu Balloon Festival and Fair. I’m currently serving as PresidentElect of Hospice of Havasu, Vice-President of the Lake Havasu City Rotary Club and a board member of the Lake Havasu Marine Association. I have the experience, I have the motivation, and I have the time to devote to this position.

How do you plan to support business?

As a local business owner I feel that the Havasu Community is business friendly, and especially, it is very friendly to local business. The City works closely with the Chamber of Commerce, the PED and the CVB to promote new initiatives that will increase the economic growth and welfare of our city. As a councilmember I will continue to support public-private partnerships such as the Havasu Riviera Project and the Downtown Catalyst Project. I believe it is important that the council is diverse and represents the community as a whole. I will bring my experience as a business owner to the council and be the voice for other businesses.

Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce Candidate Guide

If Proposition 409 passes on Aug. 29, what should be the city’s first priority in addressing the needs outlined in the initiative?

The passing of Proposition 409 will allow the city to continue to provided services and projects based on the needs of the community without the budget limitations imposed on us by an archaic formula. If Proposition 409 passes the city will continue to have a balanced budget that will take the wants and needs of the community into consideration. Proposition 409 doesn’t pave the way to any specific financial need, it simply allows the city to continue meeting the needs of the community. As far as the next step after Proposition 409 passes, I believe that the new Mayor and City Council will need to work closely with the new City Manager as he is currently assessing the needs of the city.

Should the city be involved in keeping Colorado River water from being transferred outside of the legislative district?

Explain your answer.

While the city currently has a sufficient water allocation to meet our current needs and keep up with our growth to our maximum build out, it is very important to protect our water rights. If our neighboring communities lose their water rights, it could create a precedent that might put our water allocation at risk in the future. The City should continue to be proactive and work with our County and State representatives and the other rural communities so we can stand as a united front.

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Candidates for

CITY COUNCIL COUNCILWOMAN MICHELE LIN Why are you running for city council?

I have held a seat on the Lake Havasu City Council the past three and a half years. I have thoroughly enjoyed helping shape new policies and working on projects to enhance Lake Havasu. With new leadership roles that will be in place in the upcoming years I am excited to see different approaches, re-prioritizing, and new goals that could change and help the city grow and enhance even further. I feel that my numerous community involvement, not only in local government, but also in my business and personal life, offer a much needed voice on Lake Havasu City’s council.

What are your qualifications?

I currently hold a seat on Lake Havasu City Council, this fives me three and a half years of experience holding this seat. My commitment and dedication have proven that I am fully qualified to hold this position.

If Proposition 409 passes on Aug. 28, what should be the city’s first priority in addressing the needs outlined in the initiative?

City wide suppression issues in our city held positions should be the number one priority addressed whether Prop 409 passes or not. There have been many years of passed over opportunities to address our compression issues in many of our city wide departments. In able to continually serve Lake Havasu with qualified, professional employees that provided the needed services for a community to thrive we need to take care of our employees in a competitive and fair manner. Many of the employees that hold these positions have families here and retaining the working class family unit in Lake Havasu is detrimental to our demographic growth. Losing qualified individuals in specifically trained fields to other cities and towns with more competitive incentives can be damaging to our cities growth.

Should the city be involved in keeping Colorado River water from being transferred outside of the legislative district?

Explain your answer.

Absolutely, there should be every effort to sustain not only our water quality but our water rights. Water is the number one commodity that we as a community have ownership of and anything that the city can do to protect this precious commodity should definitely be sought out.

How do you plan to support business? Being a small business owner the past eighteen years in Lake Havasu, I have first hand knowledge of what it takes to own a business and what the needs are of business owners. I do believe that with the city contributing 4 percent of the hotel and restaurant taxes to fund the CVB and PED, that the city should hold a little bit more accountability as to where those tax dollars are being spent. The city provides these funds to these organizations to encourage and support business growth and there should be results that reflect that. As a council member I would push for that accountability.

Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce Candidate Guide

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Candidates for

CITY COUNCIL ALEX MCCLANE Why are you running for city council?

I am running for City Council to show that I am dedicated and don’t give up despite the odds stacked against me. I ran last election period and lost by a slim 40 votes to candidates that had much more name recognition than myself. I think that re-running shows I am dedicated and not a quitter.

What are your qualifications?

My qualifications are my youth, dedication, motivation, and passion to see this City’s continued growth. I am trying to be as active in the community as I possibly can. I am a dedicated problem solver and am a logical level-headed team player.

How do you plan to support business?

I believe that supporting local businesses is really name recognition and getting the businesses name out there. It is important for our small local businesses to thrive and survive. I personally try to shop locally first. I am always trying new places and tell people about where I recommend going. Showing our locals we care about them and their businesses is very important to me because they are the heart and soul of our City.

Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce Candidate Guide

If Proposition 409 passes on Aug. 29, what should be the city’s first priority in addressing the needs outlined in the initiative?

First is to figure out a restructuring of pay for the City employees. That seems to be the most pressing issue that is a hot topic as well as a commonly discussed issue. Restructuring of income structures is a vital issue needing to be addressed.

Should the city be involved in keeping Colorado River water from being transferred outside of the legislative district?

Explain your answer.

Yes, it is the city’s water too and if we don’t fight for it we will lose it. This isn’t just a county level issue or a city issue it is an individual issue as well. We as a city came together and let our voices be heard and we where respected for being a unit. If we don’t continue to have that unified wall and show that we are a force to be reckoned with our higher legislation might not fight as hard. Showing our county supervisors that we as a city and individuals support them shows volumes when they go to bat for us. We as a city have been very involved with this water issue and I think we will continue to do so because it is so vital to us.

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Candidates for

ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION RODNEY GLASSMAN (D) Please provide your opinion of the Clean Energy for a Healthy Arizona Amendment?

OPPOSE! The Steyer initiative, which has been proposed by the lefty-California Billionaire, is bad policy, bad for business, and VERY bad for Arizona ratepayers pocket-books. Energy policy should be set by the Arizona State Legislature not at the ballot box or at the Arizona Corporation Commission. Any initiative that eliminates nuclear energy from the list of “clean fuels” and would result in the shuttering of the nation’s largest nuclear power facility (Palo Verde) is devoid of economic or technological realities. We must STOP STEYER from exporting his bad policy proposals and instead tell California to start sending us back some of our water!

The Corporation Commission has traditionally served in a judicial capacity hearing cases with dealing with utility rates. Over the past several years though, the Commission has also begun to craft legislation. In your opinion, what should be the proper balance between the office’s judicial and legislative roles?

The corporation commission was created by Article 15 in the Arizona Constitution in order to protect ratepayers when receiving public services from non-municipal companies. As this question highlights, over the past several years the commission has truly lost its way as commissioners have started putting their own political agendas and aspirations over that of the ratepayers they were elected to represent.

I do not believe that the Corporation Commission is the appropriate place for mandates or advocacy and that legislation belongs at the legislature. The commission has become a place for retired legislatures to go prior to running for their next office and that must stop. I am the only candidate running with a plan to restore integrity at the commission as well as the only candidate running for a natural resource background, track-record of private sector business experience, or who has ever served in the military. I am committed to putting ratepayers first and executing the job as written!

Would you support legislation or regulations prohibiting candidate campaign contributions from utilities?

YES. I am the only candidate running who has committed not to accept money from the regulated utilities or their paid lobbyists. In fact, I have proposed that the Corporation Commission adopt the Arizona Code of Judicial Conduct which is the code written by the Arizona Supreme Court and binding on every judge in the State of Arizona. The current commission (including two incumbents running this cycle) just voted 5-0 for a code of ethics after the commission refused to support prohibiting contributions from regulated utilities, prohibiting free food and entertainment, and prohibiting utility funded trips. The current commission refuses to put ratepayers first and that’s why they must go!

If elected, what would you do to improve the process for filing Articles of Incorporation, Articles of Organization or amendments to existing Articles?

Technology, Technology, Technology. Less than four years ago the Arizona Secretary of State’s office did not take credit cards and the Arizona Corporation Commission is just as bad. When I recently went down

Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce Candidate Guide

to file comments on the tooth-less ethics policy they were crafting I had to print 14 hard copies of my recommendation, with staples, and submit them under the name “e-docket.” I currently serve with CEO’s from across Arizona like Knight Transportation, NASCAR, and Mobile Mini on Secretary Michele Reagan’s Technology, Transparency, and Commerce Council and I will able to bring those friendships and resources to bear at the Arizona Corporation Commission where Articles of Incorporation filings have backed up by months for no reason other than a failure to utilize technology with existing resources.

What unique issues are there to Mohave Country and how will you represent us?

In addition to water, water, water, Rural Arizona, and especially Mohave County has unique issues related to agriculture, broad-band, and making sure Mohave County gets represented in Maricopa. I am proud to have the support of Lake Havasu City Mayor Nexsen, your Vice Mayor Cal Sheehy, Councilwoman Jeni Coke, and Councilman David Lane (and Bullhead City Mayor Tom Brady). I also have the support of State Senator Sonny Borrelli and State Representative Gina Cobb because they know I have a policy background in water a former City Councilman, academic background in water with my PhD in Arid Land Resource Sciences, operational background in water as a former Town Manager, and relationships across the state that will help me connect local leaders with the state-level policy makers necessary to work on issues like broad-band, agriculture, and tourism for all of Mohave County.

How would you address the financial impacts of utilities’ required environmental portfolios on businesses? Certain industries experience greater impact than others. What if anything, would you change about regulated environmental portfolios?

I DO NOT believe that it is the corporation commission’s role to mandate resource mixes to utilities. It is the commission’s job to ask how proposals from the public service corporations enhance reliability, resiliency, safety, and affordability for the ratepayers. That’s job #1! I do not believe that the corporation commission has a role in creating MORE regulations for business. Rather, I believe that the Corporation Commission should be restored back to its constitutionally charged duties of putting ratepayers first by asking tough questions around issues of accessibility, reliability, and affordability. The legislature, a completely different branch of government, can do the rest!

What are your thoughts on Commissioners being elected from statewide districts instead of how the current commissioners are elected?

The Corporation Commission is currently elected statewide because that is how the constitution is written. Changing the election system to districts would require a change in the constitution. I am an Eagle Scout, husband, father, attorney, with my PhD in Arid Land Resource Sciences and I will represent all ratepayers, including rural ratepayers, well. That’s why I have so much support from elected officials and business people in rural Arizona.

I am the candidate that proposed the Arizona Corporation Commission adopt the Arizona Code of Judicial Conduct, which is written by the Arizona Supreme Court and binding on every judge in the State of Arizona. It works, its supported by prosecutors across the state including my campaign chair Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery and Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk, and it should be adopted lock, stock and barrel. Our elected statewide regulators should hold themselves to the highest standard just like every other judge in the state and that means adopting the Arizona Code of Judicial Conduct.

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Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce Says

YES TO PROPOSITION 409 PROP 409

Imagine you’ve promised the kids and visiting relatives a day at the park and beach.

You’ve packed the cooler; loaded them up in the car. When you arrive, you discover the playground equipment is taped off because it’s become unsafe, the beach is dirty with trash and the grass has gone to seed.

Or, you see your neighbor’s house is on fire. You call 9-1-1, but are told public safety officials are backlogged and someone will be there as soon as they can, instead of hearing “help is on the way”.

Then, imagine how this will affect your business. Chamber members depend on the tourism dollar. Without improvements and regular maintenance to our parks and excellent public safety, who would want to come to Havasu?

Our city is only able to spend dollars for vital services based on a formula from 40 years ago! This is not a formula for success and growth. Let’s lift the cloud that’s holding us back and bank on a bright future.

We have the opportunity to change the tax base set decades ago by passing Proposition 409 on August 28. It’s not a tax increase or decrease. It is a method for community progress.

The Lake Havasu Chamber, whose members employ 20,000 area residents, encourages your YES vote on 409 so we have local control over our city’s money and to ensure outstanding public safety; new recreation areas for our kids, and a public gathering space to improve our downtown.

Please vote YES on 409.

Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce Candidate Guide

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