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Apache Junction mayor, council candidates explain their top 3 issues

Posted 4/23/20

Five Apache Junction residents have qualified to run for mayor and five others for three seats on City Council.

Vying for council are Braden Biggs, Darryl Cross, Kelly Gremmel, Tess Nesser and …

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Apache Junction mayor, council candidates explain their top 3 issues

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Five Apache Junction residents have qualified to run for mayor and five others for three seats on City Council.

Vying for council are Braden Biggs, Darryl Cross, Kelly Gremmel, Tess Nesser and Jeff Struble.

Running for mayor are Charles Austin, Robin Barker, Jeff Barlett, John Insalaco and Chip Wilson.

Mr. Barlett is a write-in candidate and will not be on the ballot, Apache Junction City Clerk Jennifer Pena said.

“Yes, Jeff Barlett filed as a write-in, so you are correct, his name will not be on the ballot nor in the publicity pamphlet,” she said.

“But on the ballot, there is the area to fill in a name for write-in. Most of our voters vote early ballots. However, on Election Day within the voting booth, Jeff Barlett’s name will be posted as a write-in,” City Clerk Pena said.

Candidates were required to file certain documents with the City Clerk’s Office between March 9 and 5 p.m. April 6, including a nonpartisan nomination paper declaration of qualification and nonpartisan nomination petitions signed by at least 269 and no more than 538 registered voters of Apache Junction.

The primary election is Tuesday, Aug. 4 and, if needed, the general election is Nov. 3.

The City Clerk’s Office is at the city hall complex, Building C, 300 E. Superstition Blvd. in Apache Junction. For additional information, call the City Clerk’s Office at 480-982-8002.

Six Apache Junction residents had filed statements of interest to run for mayor and eight for City Council.

The statement of interest is a new requirement and must be filed prior to collecting petition signatures, Ms. Pena said.

Those who filed statements of interest for mayor but did not make the ballot are Mohiuddin Mehmood for mayor; and Walker Waldie, Bradley Collins and Todd Kanz for council.

Mr. Waldie said he dropped out to focus on his business.

“I’ve decided to drop out of the race this year. With everything going on I need to focus on my business and ensure we survive the crisis,” he said.

The mayor and the seats of three members of council --- Vice Mayor Wilson and Councilmembers Barker and Struble --- all who were elected in November 2016, are up for re-election. Incumbent Mayor Jeff Serdy is not running as he is seeking office on the Pinal County Board of Supervisors.

Independent Newsmedia reached out to each mayoral and council candidate seeking answers to a variety of questions, which will be detailed at yourvalley.net/apache-junction-independent in the coming weeks. Below are their answers on what their top three campaign issues are and why.

Top 3 issues: mayoral race

Charles Austin

Funding regular bus service to and from Apache Junction and bringing light rail to the city is a top priority for Mr. Austin, 58.

“Top three campaign issues: Correct the new city waste law, making it a civil issue not a criminal issue; help the homeless, with a community center; proceed with the Valley Metro bus expansion, with light rail future,” he said.

Mr. Austin has worked with a lawn service, with various employment assignments; Botta’s Concrete Construction; and for D Bradshaw and other contractors. He did not list previous office boards or commissions.

Robin Barker

Housing, balance of economic development and growth, and tourism are the top priorities for Ms. Barker, 77.

“Affordable housing and a variety of housing types is one of my top three campaign issues. The Valley is projecting a million people in the next decade. It is also in the top 10 of the most expensive housing in the country,” she said.

“Not all of their incoming population will have high-paying jobs or will want to live in a congested city and will naturally look for housing outside the Valley. In addition, Apache Junction is slated to annex the land to the south of the city, which will in turn attract residential developers. At the same time, we can’t lose sight of our current residents who need a choice of housing that will suit their needs as well as their budgets,” Ms. Barker said.

Residents feed economic growth and the sales tax new businesses supply provides services and the programs that residents want and need, she said.

“A balance of residents to business, both in the downtown area and the new land to the south, is important to our future growth. If we have too many residents clustered in one area with nowhere to shop, it will lead to tax-dollar leakage diminishing the ability of the city to provide residents the appropriate services such as police and road maintenance,” Ms. Barker said.

“On the other hand, too few residents in an area and businesses cannot survive. The balance will require a close partnership between Development Services, Economic Development and the City Council. It will be equally important as the southern portion of the city boundary is annexed and developed that the City not lose sight of the existing businesses in the established portion of the city, she said.

Tourism is another issue that is important to the future of the community.

“We are the gateway to the Superstition Mountains even though our neighbors to the west like to advertise otherwise. Unfortunately, we have very little to offer a weekend tourist in the way of accommodations or specialized gear. I would like to increase our promotion efforts and encourage infill on Apache Trail of businesses that cater to the needs of those looking for a unique adventure in the Arizona wilderness, authentic artwork or simply a quiet motel/hotel from which to view the beauty around us,” she said.

“A few minor additions to the City’s landscape could result in Apache Junction being the choice of destinations in the east valley.. Of course, this kind of development will be dependent upon the demand for such services. Balance. Supply and demand,” Ms. Barker said.

She is a retired English teacher (21 years); and is owner of the AJ News.

Boards and commissions include:

  • Apache Junction City Council --- 1989-97 and 2007 to present.
  • Apache Junction Vice Mayor --- 1993-95 and 2013-16.
  • Apache Junction Planning and Zoning ---2005-6.
  • Genesis Board of Directors --- current
  • Pinal Partnership --- current.
  • Maricopa Association of Governments Regional Board --- current.
  • MAG Economic Council --- current.
  • Greater Phoenix Economic Council Mayors’ Board --- 2013-16.
  • GPEC Ambassador --- current.
  • Chair and Vice Chair MAG Domestic Violence Council, VP --- current.
  • AJ Centennial Project --- 2012.
  • Pinal County Alliance --- 2015.

She also is a member of the Apache Junction Soroptimist, VFW No. 9399 and American Legion auxiliaries.

Jeff Barlett

Transportation, public safety and limiting government spending are the top three campaign issues for Mr. Barlett, 24.

“Public transportation, because I strongly believe that this will help people who lack reliable transportation to find jobs outside of the city and if we manage things right I believe that it can also be profitable,” he said.

“Public safety, because I believe that public safety should always be a top priority and I believe that we need to be supporting our law-enforcement officers,” Mr. Barlett said.

“Keeping our government and spending limited, because I have strong conservative views and I believe that the government should provide services that are essential to the people or services that will create revenue for the city. I am strongly against wasteful government spending. I also feel that the free market is the best way to provide economic growth and I believe that we need to support small businesses in our community,” he said.

Mr. Barlett works as a call-center representative and has experience working as a correctional officer, as a semi-truck driver and has also worked in security and other occupations, he said.

John Insalaco

Cleaning neighborhoods, code enforcement and maintaining businesses are the top three for Mr. Insalaco, 82.

“Older neighborhoods --- clean up and make safer; code enforcement –--- making sure codes in the neighborhoods are being followed; and maintaining current businesses,” he said.

Mr. Insalaco was elected to the Apache Junction City Council in 1997 and 2003, and was elected and served as mayor 2007-16. He retired from Insalaco’s Music and Upholstery in December 2013 after 42 years ownership and now plays in the four-piece band “Country Soul.”

Chip Wilson

Protecting the small-town feel, bringing additional industry to Apache Junction and continuing with forward-looking goals are the top three for Mr. Wilson, 72.

“I want to support and protect the general small-town feeling of our community. By that I mean to support the rural area as well as the developed areas and all our local businesses. We all can continue to work together for the overall good of our community,” he said.

“I want to work on the industrial area of our community. We need to bring in additional industry that can employ our citizens with good-paying jobs. This will also help the businesses of our community and open doors for additional small businesses,” Mr. Wilson said.

The third is: “To continue the movement of our community with communication, forward-looking ideas, goals and strategies,” he said.

Mr. Wilson retired from Boeing as a calibration and repair of electronic test equipment technician, and retired from the military after more than 22 years of service.

He was elected to the Apache Junction City Council in June 2007; re-elected to council in June 2011 and January 2016; and was appointed vice mayor in January 2017. He held the position as chairman of the Superstition Horsemen’s Association --- from 1999 to 2007; and is the president of the Arizona Horse Council --- from 2008 to present.

Top 3 issues: City Council race

All five council candidates responded to the March 31 e-mail seeking answers to a variety of questions.

Braden Biggs

For Mr. Biggs, protecting open spaces and trails, economic diversity of jobs in the city and development of land south of U.S. Highway are the top priorities.

“Protecting open spaces/trails: Apache Junction is surrounded by beauty and it is a driver as to why people move here or visit here. With over 2,200 acres of land reserve for parks, recreation and open spaces, I want to protect that land and protect our views of the Superstition Mountains helping to ensure that everyone has access to hiking, biking and horseback riding opportunities throughout the City of Apache Junction,” he said.

“Economic diversity and head-of-household job growth: 90% of our ‘working residents’ leave Apache Junction and commute for work,” Mr. Biggs said.

Some of the things he sees as challenges when it comes to economic diversity include:

  • There are little to no “shovel-ready” projects or available open buildings for new commercial/industrial growth.
  • There is not a large workforce available, which means we have to have businesses to attract the employee, vs. having the employees to attract the business.
  • The lack of “access points” to Apache Junction, such as roads, freeways, etc.

“I would like to work with leaders on all levels of government and private industry to help bring more diversity to Apache Junction, which will help grow our tax base and allow for further opportunity in our community,” Mr. Biggs said.

Multi-family homes, horse properties, smaller-lot-size “tiny homes” and more could be developed as the city expands south of U.S. Highway 60, he envisions.

“Growth south of the U.S. 60 is where we can place a variety of housing, commercial and industrial uses. I foresee two- to three-story apartments/multi-family dwellings built on the western end of the land growth. The reason that the western end of the land growth is so important, is because east of us is the Superstition Mountain and I want to protect the views our future residents should get to experience with the rest of us,” he said.

“These apartment/multi-family dwelling buildings allow for a variety of income ranges to be able to afford to live here. I’d also like to see larger-lot sizes with the possibility to include horse/livestock zoning. The adverse to that, I would love to see ‘tiny-homes’ or lots with smaller lot sizes for those who don’t want a big yard to maintain,” Mr. Biggs said.

Big-box stores, mainstream businesses and industry could be developed south of U.S. 60, he said.

“It’s my belief that this is where we can build those bigger-box stores and more mainstream businesses. Where we can attract those larger industrial complexes and more. Allowing us to grow while still maintaining the small-town Apache Junction that we all know and love down Apache Trail and our ‘downtown’ area. This also allows an area for more small/local businesses to protect them from being butted up next to a chain, he said.

Mr. Biggs is director of communications and program development at Empowerment Systems Inc., an Apache Junction non-profit organization.

He has served on the following boards and commissions: City of Apache Junction Board of Adjustment --- 2017 to current; City of Apache Junction Library Board of Directors --- 2017 to current; City of Apache Junction Municipal Planning Commission --- 2017 to current; Community Alliance Against Family Abuse board member --- 2016 to current; Actors Youth Theatre Board of Directors --- 2018 to current; Apache Junction Focal Point and Tourism Member --- 2016 to current; and Apache Junction Founders Centennial Committee chairman --- 2019 to current.

Darryl Cross

Mr. Cross, 55, lists as priorities the city’s rural lifestyles and “small-town” feel, helping maintain and promoting affordable housing, and developing industrial businesses in areas south of the city.

“Many people, including myself, moved here for that ‘small-town’ atmosphere. I think a majority of our citizens want to keep that,” he said.

“We have a lot of affordable housing and a lot of seniors that heavily depend on that. We must continue to provide for their needs. People from all over the country and Canada come here and purchase a second home because of our affordability,” he said.

Both industrial and residential growth is possible in the land south of U.S. 60, he said.

“We need to move forward in growing but to the areas south of the city. We have a tremendous amount of land that is ideal for both industrial growth and residential growth. Master-planned development with open space and trails what I envision,” Mr. Cross said.

He has worked at Summit Fire Protection since August 2018 to present; and for Nu-Way Fire Protection --- 1998-2018.

Mr. Cross is a committeeman for the city’s centennial celebration; served on the Committee for Revamping Rules governing outbuildings in the R5-54 Zoning Area --- 2014; and is the chairman of the Superstition Horsemen’s Association.

Kelly Gremmel

There are a variety of issues --- from poor traffic to city code violations and maintaining open land --- that residents of Apache Junction need addressed, Ms. Gremmel said.

“I am not running for City Council because I believe there needs to be sweeping changes made to our city. I decided to run for office with the goal of finding out what issues other citizens are having and to help in addressing these issues,” she said.

“While speaking to many people within our community, I asked them what challenges they were experiencing in the City of Apache Junction. Here are some of the things I heard: poor traffic control, city code violations within neighborhoods, the importance of maintaining open land, the older population feeling they are not being heard, and so many other things. These are the issues I want to work hard at attempting to resolve,” Ms. Gremmel said.

She is a retired administrator for the City of Phoenix Prosecutor’s Office, a licensed real estate agent and co-owner of Successful Options.

Ms. Gremmel served on the Arizona Coalition for Victim Services Committee --- 2009-13; and volunteers with the Boys and Girls Club fundraising committee --- since December 2018.

Tess Nesser

Ms. Nesser, 71, lists priorities as upkeep of property with absentee landlords; higher education; and bringing the Apache Junction Rodeo Grounds, which is on land owned by the Bureau of Land Management, into the city.

“Absentee landlords: We no longer can allow owners of property in our city, who do not live here, to benefit from said property at the expense of our citizens. If you own property in AJ, you have a responsibility to keep that property safe and sanitary,” she said.

“I will work with development services, code compliance and the city’s attorney to do all that can be done to enact and enforce laws that are as strict as can be in this regards,” Ms. Nesser said.

“Education: Seek a stronger bond and collaboration with our local community college and look into bringing a trade school to AJ,” she said.

“Obtain our rodeo park from the federal government. I would like to continue Mayor Jeff Serdy’s efforts to obtain our rodeo park from the BLM so that we can utilize this park year-round for events for our community’s enjoyment, entertainment and economic benefit,” she said. “A beautiful plan was designed for this park 20 years ago that cannot be developed because of the limitations on this property as long as it is owned by BLM.”

Ms. Nesser retired from the Pinal County Attorney’s Office as a unit supervisor in Florence, where she worked 1986-2010. Part-time employment includes:

  • Apache Junction Unified School District, part-time sub-para --- 2017 to present;
  • Goldfield Ghost Town Museum, --- 2019 to present;
  • Arizona Renaissance Festival entertainer --- 1999 to present; and
  • Pinal County Elections Department, as a poll worker.

She is a volunteer with the Apache Junction Police Department, Criminal Investigation Department, sex offender registration --- 2010 to present; and the Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce --- 2016 to present.

Boards and commissions include:

  • Apache Junction Planning and Zoning Commission, chair --- 2000 to present;
  • Apache Junction Parks and Recreation Commission, chair --- 1998-2018;
  • Apache Junction Library Board of Trustees --- 1998-2019;
  • Arizona State Parks Board, Historic Preservation Advisory Committee, vice-chair --- 2004-11; and
  • Pinal County Adult Probation Citizen Advisory Board --- 2004-06.

Jeff Struble

Mr. Struble, 57, said his top three priorities are attracting new businesses and families, creating jobs and working with non-profit organizations.

“First, we will continue to improve the reputation of Apache Junction so that we can attract businesses and new families. This will help to build our schools, raise property values and increase city revenue, not tax rates,” he said.

“Second, assist in the economic development for our citizens and business community. We need to do this to create jobs for our families and increase city revenue, not tax rates,” Mr. Struble said.

“Third, work with the non-profit and faith-based entities to service our citizens. We need them to step up and carry out their missions. This will allow the government to focus on its mission of providing for the citizens safety, infrastructure and public welfare, not private welfare,” he said.

Mr. Struble owns both Padgett Business Services and Fatmans Pizza.

Boards and commissions include: Apache Junction City Council, 2016 to present; Superstition Mountains Community Facilities District No. 1 (sewer district) board --- 2013-16; and Apache Junction Parks and Recreation Commission --- 2009-13.