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Hastings: Jobs, schools, safety among priorities

Candidate facing incumbent for Surprise City Council in District 5

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My name is Jack Hastings and I am running to be your Surprise city councilman in District 5. I am a third-generation resident of Surprise and have lived here for almost 16 years.
I teach United States Constitution and Civics classes to high school students here at Valley Vista High School, my Alma mater.
I have a bachelor’s degree in education from Arizona State University and am finishing my master’s degree this year. I was appointed to the Surprise Arts and Cultural Advisory Commission in 2017. I am engaged to my best friend, Olivia, who I met here in Surprise. I am a proud Christian, and my relationship with God is central to my life.
Since the start of this campaign, I have met with thousands of Surprise residents, police officers, firefighters, small business owners and teachers. The issues they have brought to me are what I’m fighting for:
• Jobs
• Education
• Public Safety
Jobs and businesses are the backbone of a community. Our residents want places to work and things to do in Surprise. Families should not be forced to leave Surprise for entertainment.
In the past months, I have interviewed multiple small business owners who all say the same thing: Surprise needs to be more business friendly. We need to create the high-paying careers that our residents deserve.
Surprise is missing out. In the past year, Microsoft, Amazon and Nike have all passed up Surprise for El Mirage and Goodyear. Red Bull and White Claw are building massive distribution centers right across the street from us in Glendale.

This means hundreds of lost jobs that could have gone to Surprise residents and millions of lost dollars in tax revenue that could have been used to help build our downtown. We need to be more competitive, cut regulations and get these jobs and businesses here to benefit our residents.
As an educator, I know firsthand that education is our foundation and the future of Surprise. I became a teacher because I have a passion for public service, and I want to give back to the community that has given so much to me.
I teach at the high school I attended as a student and am committed to fostering public-private partnerships between schools and local businesses that benefit our community and students. In the past, I’ve worked with Mayor Skip Hall to partner with Uptown Alley in Surprise to create a free bowling event for hundreds of students.
On the Surprise Arts Commission, we work with local schools to create contests and offer grants that benefit our youth, all while passing balanced budgets every year. In addition, Ottawa University has recently moved to Surprise, and we need to create new opportunities and places to go for our students and families.
Public safety and the safety of our residents needs to be our top priority in Surprise. This year, I attended four public safety open houses in Surprise and have participated in 12 hours total of ride-alongs with both our Surprise Police and Fire-Medical Departments.
We need to support public safety with our actions, not just words. Last year, the city removed Engine 305 from service at our Fire Station here in District 5 without any public notice or debate. I support funding this engine full-time in our FY 2021 budget.
In addition, our city is expanding and our police officers are spread thin. Our police officers and firefighters put their lives on the line every day, and we need to provide them with the proper resources they need to stay safe and keep us safe.
I am running to be your city councilman to fight for you and to be your voice in this growing city.
Our city has great potential because of our great residents. Elected officials work for us, not the other way around. I hope I can earn your vote this summer.
Check out our website at jackforsurprise.com. God bless.

Editor’s Note: Jack Hastings is a candidate for the Surprise City Council in District 2.