“I’m John Backer, and I approved this message.”
I just returned from doing an in studio interview with James T. Harris on 104.1 KQTH, and during the interview, he asked some questions that got me thinking about transparency and precision. Additionally, I would like to address a second point which deserves to be clarified.
Like you, we are all growing tired of hearing campaign ads, and we all know the ads will only become more common as we move closer to the local primary elections and the 2016 General Election in November.
As an average citizen, I also recognize and respect that we are all tired of hearing candidates “attack” each other. I’ve frequently said that I like my opponents personally and respect each of them for stepping forward in a willingness to serve their fellow citizens. As a first time candidate, I have a very clear understanding of the time commitment and sacrifices a candidate and their families endure to make running for public office possible. However, as a candidate for Board of Supervisor for District 4, I feel it important to show transparency in our dealings with others – especially the voters.
Perhaps the best way to compare the three supervisor candidates is to watch the debate which took place on May 21st. There is a video of the entire debate. I do recognize the audio isn’t the best quality, but the videos offer a quick way to truly compare all three of us on a level playing field. However, Steve Christy did get the tallest podium to stand behind, which was ok with me – since I’m short.
During the debate, Marla challenged a statement Steve made, and Marla took some heat for it, but she called out Christy for stating he had owned the car dealership for 40 years, when in fact he worked for his step-father for 30 years in a variety of rolls, and only owned the dealership for on approximately 10 years. Her willingness to make a point of correcting the statement Steve made, makes it clear to me Marla would not mind me clarifying statements she has made.
During Marla’s opening statement in the debate (at the 11:30 minute mark of the “part 1” video) she claims to have lived in Pima county for “several years”.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKBzQUO_F8SO3-QhswmXT0g
According to an editorial in the Green Valley News – she moved to Tucson in May 2014
http://www.gvnews.com/opinion/from-the-editor-closen-it-s-time-for-a-big/article_1cf0b5c8-f619-11e5-9740-eb23d669ac41.html
In my book, two years is not “several”, but I realize people do misspeak especially when put on the spot – like at a debate. At the time, I opted out of disrupting the debate to clarify Marla’s statement because I realize the voters, like myself, are frankly tired of candidates “attacking” each other.
However, after listening to an interview recently on a local radio show (link to podcast to be provided later) and hearing Marla state that she has lived in Pima county for “going on 3 years”, I feel the claims need to be called out. Why has there been a pattern of mischaracterizing her length of time in Pima county? Did Marla just misspeak a second time? Is it because she feels that despite her involvement in the community, voters might want to choose someone who has a longer history with and commitment to Pima County? I would suggest that going forward Marla and her campaign show the greatest transparency and precision to the voters in Pima County – we deserve it. I’m confident the voters will respond favorably.
A second point I would like to call out is something else I have not spoken out on, but something that has bothered me for some time.
On Marla’s campaign site she says:
“In February, 2016, our incumbent Supervisor announced his retirement, and within weeks, two others have entered this race. Others who have lived here for decades – as part of the status quo – who just developed a concern for our county upon the vacancy of an open Supervisor seat.”
With all due respect to Marla and her campaign, I would question – is this the best you can come up with? Since I’m new to running for public office, why refer to me as “Status Quo?” Do you feel the other citizens of Pima County represent the status quo? Being an average citizen, I work and support my family and show a commitment to my community by being involved in different ways.
For example, I served as the Cub Master for Cub Scout Pack 328 in Green Valley for 4 years and as an assistant Cub Master for one year as we transitioned to a new Cub Master. As someone who works a full time job, my work required me to travel 75% of the time last year. During the last three years, I have traveled America helping commercial customers, local, state and federal government agencies find fraud, waste and abuse –many citizens have shown an appreciation for my background and education which is more diverse than any other candidate. Although, a few friends of mine know that I have been talking of running for public office for 3 years, my commitment to Cub Scouts and my work travel schedule prevented me from running for office sooner. Marla, how did you decide that I “just developed a concern for our community” before you even got to know me and my background?
As I said earlier, both Marla and Steve are good people, and I fully expect Marla to take this constructive criticism to help clarify her time in Pima County and use the front page of her campaign site to bring out something more substantive about what she brings to the campaign. I feel confident that we will remain friends and involved in our community long after the primary concludes in August.
In closing, I would like to say that all of the voters of Pima County know how important the position of Supervisor is to our community. Setting policy and approving our $1.2 billion-dollar annual budget is fundamental to bringing about the changes we citizens demand in Pima County. The supervisor role is far too important to “give” to anyone simply because they were the first to enter the race. I don’t loosely throw promises around, but I promise the citizens of Pima County – whoever you select to become your next county Supervisor for District 4, whether you choose me or one of the other candidates, will have earned it!