|
Is Tucson ready for the next step in its evolution? Our political system frequently results in elevating passionate leaders, but with extreme views from the hard left or hard right. I believe going from one extreme philosophy to its opposite is not always best. We are not enemies of one another.
But Tucson, under current leadership, seems mired in serious issues that are getting worse before our eyes. Crime, homelessness, drug addiction, police force reductions, poorly maintained roads, and overwhelmed immigration systems are not even moving in the right direction. We should not keep voting the same and (paraphrasing Einstein) expect a different outcome. We have got to evolve, to become a more balanced and healthier city.
After reading an article in the Arizona Daily Star of a unique candidate for mayor, who plans to directly address these issues (especially to support our police, reduce crime and homelessness), I met with him to validate my strongly positive impression. I have never given to or supported candidates for local offices before, but I am endorsing Ed Ackerley for Tucson's next mayor. Ackerley, a popular and well-regarded teacher at the U of A's Eller College of Management, is also a small business owner of marketing and public relations services.
He is running as an Independent, hoping to garner votes from moderate Democrats and Republicans as well as Independents, who want a better-run city. He conveyed that as an Independent he could better mediate with all sides to genuinely create solutions and successful outcomes. I could tell this man has vision, integrity, grace and yet gravitas.
As a small business professional, Ackerley will help small business owners, professionals and our citizenry by strengthening our community through a better understanding of economics and government overreach. With the right leadership, government can do better.
I believe Tucson's downward trajectory has paralleled its movement towards one-party control, dominated by the extreme leftists. They are following the failed policies of West Coast cities: San Francisco, Portland, Seattle and L.A. Their rise in crime and homelessness started first, with their tolerance of bad behavior, anti-police attitudes and an anti-free enterprise consciousness.
I appreciate the current mayor, Regina Romero, for trying to do "everything"; she is all over. I like having a Hispanic as well as a woman in power. But her political orientation is too liberal, which will NOT fix these big issues. To quote Democrat Jesse Lugo in his recent editorial (8/28/23) "The current mayor...has an ultra-progressive agenda, demonstrated that she is against police and fire, is anti-business, and unwilling to address the crime, fentanyl and homeless issues. The city is in disarray, and it is time for a change." Jesse endorsed Ed Ackerley.
Should Regina lose the mayor's race, I suspect she will move up to fill the big shoes of Raul Grijalva. Losing might nudge her to moderate and ultimately evolve into a better leader for us. A successful Independent elected to replace this liberal incumbent could be the shock wave needed to motivate our city council to get serious about fixing these problems.
I mean no disrespect, but the Republicans have no chance to win this mayor's race. I appreciate that their candidate, Janet Wittenbraker, is so committed and willing to run. But Ackerley is uniquely qualified to redirect our city's leadership away from the extreme leftism it has become.
A win for Ed will open the door for more moderate Democrats and Republicans as well as Independents to run for office, increasing the diversity in candidates. That's a good thing!
I want to especially appeal to our city's Hispanics, its youth and staff from the U of A, and its many families who want a safer, more prosperous community, with opportunity for all. Vote for Ed.
| 
