With three council member spots up for grabs in the town of Florence, Bill Tanner is vying for one of those positions.

Mr. Tanner has experience in the oil, gas and mining industries, with roles at Shell Oil and ConocoPhillips.

He and his wife moved to Florence about five years ago and decided to call it home.

"As a result, we are both actively involved in our community and are invested in making Florence the most that it can be," Mr. Tanner stated via email. "Interestingly, my dad was a geologist and growing up — in Los Angeles — we’d go on family vacations to this part of the world… to, of course, collect rocks. Arizona became a second home to me. When my dad passed, I didn’t inherit money, but got boxes and boxes of rocks — and they are happy to be back 'home' too."

Below are Mr. Tanner's comments on running for Florence Town Council.

Why am I running for Town Council?

Florence voters have a choice to make. It is a choice between improving our community through economic opportunity and new jobs — or continuing on with the same tax and spend policies, fiscal malfeasance and economic stagnation that are the hallmark of the current Florence Town Council.  It is a choice between experienced hand’s on leadership —or spending more tax dollars on a failed money pit like the Innovation Pavilion and frivolous litigation.

I believe that it’s time to shake up the current Florence Town Council and bring in fresh eyes and ears to drive the needed changes to move Florence forward. I’m running as a fiscal conservative, pro jobs, pro economic development candidate. I’m a retired business leaders with expertise in budgets, managing people and large-scale projects.  I am a veteran, having served honorably in the U.S. Navy. I proudly served as a federal law enforcement agent and I’m a graduate of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Academy. I am fiscally responsible, with a bias towards government effectiveness and efficiency. Finally, I am a friend of the taxpayer. As an active member of the community, my wife Sandy and I are devoted to helping Florence grow and meet its potential.

We live in a community where jobs are wanted. Jobs are needed. Productive jobs. Jobs a person can be proud to do. Jobs like this come from the private sector and can be made possible by a Town Council that has faith in our free economy and will take steps to improve the business climate. Our Town Council should be an enabler of jobs and the economy… not a blocker. I will be tireless advocate in support of our local businesses, a vibrant downtown, economic growth and low municipal fees and taxes. We treasure our town, and will strive to protect Florence’s history, historic buildings and expand the local arts community.

If elected, I will focus on five policy objectives designed to recover from COVID-19, unite Florence and move our Town towards a bright future.

1. Create jobs by promoting that “Florence is Open for Business”
2. Hold the line on new municipal tax and fees 
3. Protect water and the environment through cooperation not frivolous litigation
4. Promote a vibrant arts scene and reinvigorate historic preservation
5. Create a vocational training partnership to teach valuable skills in construction and the high-tech industries

Visit the town website for more information on Florence elections.