Gilbert Town Council election Q&A: Candidates weigh in on Police Department, ethics probes

Four men, all political newcomers, seek to secure one of two open seats on Gilbert’s Town Council.

They include Aaron Accurso, Kenny Buckland, Monte Lyons and Noah Mundt.

The southeast Valley town’s elected body has been weighed down with scandal, ethics probes and infightings. Voters will choose two new council members to replace outgoing Councilmember Kathy Tilque, who is stepping down after one term, and Vice Mayor Scott Anderson, who is running for Gilbert mayor.

The Arizona Republic asked each candidate to answer six questions on town issues and their priorities should they assume the role of Gilbert council member.

Lyons did not respond to The Arizona Republic’s questionnaire.

Here's what the rest had to say, in alphabetical order. Some answers may have been slightly edited to meet the agreed-to lengths by all.

Arizona election: Read our full election coverage of Gilbert's Town Council race

Vision: Why are you running for Gilbert Town Council?

Why are you running for Gilbert Town Council? If elected, what will your first priority be?

Aaron Accurso: My name is Aaron Accurso, and I am running for a seat on the Gilbert Town Council because I feel that our council is getting further away from the will of the people. We need elected representation that respects the people and backs that up with their votes.

My first priority will be to help refocus our council and planning commission on the general plan that was voted on by the residents in Gilbert. Too often our council changes the zoning of parcels to something different than what the Gilbert voters agreed upon at the ballot box.

Kenny Buckland: I believe I have the leadership for a time such as this to help get us to and through buildout. It was not something I ever planned to do, however, the last couple of years with ethics probes, investigations, and mediation, I felt compelled to try to help. I worked for Gilbert PD for more than 20 years, retiring as a police commander. I know the zero-based budget process very well, having participated in it for many years. I am the only candidate with such diversity of executive leadership experience in both municipal government and the private sector, I also have a heart for service and believe, in light of the last couple of years, it is time to get off the sidelines and try to help. I hope to bring civility and respect back to the council, focus on my priorities of enhanced public safety, long-term, sustainable infrastructure, and diverse, thriving business opportunities. These three issues must be addressed and if done correctly, will continue to keep Gilbert as a community with a high quality of life.

Noah Mundt: I'm running for council member to serve our community at a crucial time in Gilbert's development. Outside interests increasingly influence local elections, often prioritizing their political ideologies over the town's best interests. I want to ensure Gilbert remains great by focusing on our local needs and values. My first priority will be to rebuild trust with our citizens, highlight the positive developments in our town, and foster a strong working relationship with my fellow council members to better serve our community.

Monte Lyons did not respond.

Taxing and spending: Where do the Gilbert Town Council candidates stand?

New state policies will affect city budgets. If faced with a deficit, will you support raising taxes to maintain city services or cutting programs? Which specific services and/or taxes would you consider first and why?

Accurso: As a council member I would take a deeper look at the structure of the budget to see if there are areas that could be cut first. The town always talks about keeping up the quality of the amenities we have, and I don't disagree with that, but we have to be realistic in what we can fund to maintain everything, especially in a recession. During times of higher inflation, like we are in now, Gilbert residents don't really have an appetite to have their taxes raised, nor should they.

Buckland: If faced with a deficit, I support doing what is necessary to ensure we provide essential public service, including prioritizing existing expenses as well as looking at necessary revenue increases.

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Mundt: Addressing a budget deficit requires a careful balance. My approach would be to thoroughly review all expenditures and revenue sources to find the most efficient and necessary path forward. We need to ensure that any decision, whether it involves adjusting taxes or cutting programs, is made with the community's best interests in mind. My priority will be to maintain essential services while exploring all options to enhance efficiency and reduce unnecessary spending. Through careful analysis and community input, we can find the best way to navigate these challenges.

Lyons did not respond.

'Gilbert Goons': How do the Gilbert Town Council candidates rate the city's handling of teen violence?

The high-profile murder of Preston Lord shed light on a gang of 20 or more mostly white, upper-middle-class teenagers from multiple southeast Valley high schools dubbed the "Gilbert Goons" who went unchecked for nearly two years. How do you rate the Gilbert police’s investigation of these teen violence cases and what will you do to maintain community faith in the town’s police?

Accurso: It's too soon for me to make a full judgment of what our police department did and did not do correctly. I only have access to the public information that is shared. However, I will say that our police department's leadership has some work to do when it comes to building better trust and confidence with the residents of our town. The only way the community gains more faith in any government entity is for real transparency through excellent communication.

Buckland: Rating their investigation at this point would be reckless, without having investigated every call for service, reviewed every police report and while prosecutions are still in the court process. Once all cases are complete and adjudicated, it would require a complete after-action investigation and report to accurately rate their performance in handling these cases. When there are major incidents like this, it is important to get ahead of the story and be transparent with what you can say, while ensuring case integrity is maintained. Transparency goes a long way to keep people from assuming incorrect conclusions and outcomes. I will work to remain very transparent with the public, as I always have while working there until 2016.

Mundt: My heart goes out to the Lord family and all the families impacted by these heinous acts. As a father of a teenage girl in high school, I understand that the safety of our children is the number one priority. The investigation into these teen violence cases highlights the need for some adjustments in our police protocols and oversight. While our police department works diligently to protect our community, there is always room for improvement. I believe we need to enhance community engagement in investigations to ensure transparency and build trust.

Additionally, I am supportive of the upcoming victim advocacy building near Town Hall and the police station. This facility will provide essential services to victims of crimes, helping them navigate the legal process and feel safe pressing charges against those who perpetrate crimes and use threats and intimidation to silence their victims. By actively involving community input and continuously reviewing our practices, we can strengthen our police force and maintain the community's faith in their commitment to keeping Gilbert safe.

Lyons did not respond.

Ethics: Where do Gilbert Town Council candidates stand on the use of ethics probes?

Do you think ethics probes are a productive system that keeps council members accountable, or has it been weaponized and with what effect?  Explain your reasoning.

Accurso: There is a time and place for formal ethics investigations. I think this last year has shown us a lot and it is my hope that council members can work together and build healthier relationships with each other, and with the public.

Buckland: I do not think ethics probes are productive in keeping accountability. If it takes ethics probes to drive accountability, the wrong people are in the leadership positions. I am not on the council as of this time so I can say as a resident of the community, I demand and will only accept leaders who live from the heart with integrity and accountability. I do think probes, investigations, etc., can be weaponized. The political climate from federal, all the way down to local politics, have been filled with hate, disrespect, and filth. Politicians who desire to live in that world would absolutely weaponize any tactic they could to win their zero-sum game. I am hoping to bring civility and respect back to council and make Gilbert politics boring again.

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Mundt: While ethics probes are designed to keep council members accountable, the large number of complaints in recent years suggests that the system may be getting weaponized. This weaponization has led to community distrust in both the system and those elected to serve. It's crucial that we address these issues by increasing transparency and improving the process for handling ethics complaints to ensure they are used constructively rather than as political tools.

Lyons did not respond.

Inspiration: Who shapes the Gilbert Town Council candidates' thinking?

Who in public life, past or present, do you admire most? Why? And what lesson do you draw from that person’s experience?

Accurso: Pope Saint John Paull II came from an oppressed beginning, coming of age in a totalitarian and eventual communist country. He was elevated to the highest of ranks in both religious and geo-political realms. Once he was there, he was able to smoothly navigate and help guide the world to be a better place. His example shows me that it is possible to move society in a positive direction with principled beliefs and intentions.

Buckland: My father. From a very young age he taught me to love people and treat them with respect. He taught me the value of strong work ethic. He taught me to never loan people money but rather, give it as a gift. And if it comes back, then bless more people in need. He taught me the value of family, integrity, accountability, and that if you have even one unconditional friend who would go to Hell and fight Satan himself for you, then you are blessed with a real friendship. He owned a small business and he taught me selfless, servant leadership.

Mundt: There are many individuals I admire in public life, but if I have to choose one, it would be Ulysses S. Grant. I recently finished reading "American Ulysses: A Life of Ulysses S. Grant," and I am deeply inspired by his humility and dedication to doing what was right, even when it was uncomfortable and difficult. Grant chose to serve with integrity, often at great personal and financial cost. The lesson I draw from his experience is the importance of selfless service and the courage to make tough decisions for the greater good, regardless of personal consequences.

Lyons did not respond.

Election integrity: Where do the Gilbert Town Council candidates stand?

Do you think Arizona elections are fairly run? Do you trust the results? Will you abide by them? Why or why not?

Accurso: I have no idea what is happening with our elections, but I can say that the electorate has grown suspicious and worried. Clearly, I will be participating in the election process, and I hope for accurate results.

Buckland: Based on my evaluation of the facts, I do think Arizona elections are run fairly and accurately, and yes, I will abide by them. And if I do not win the election, I will support and encourage those who the voters elect. I may not agree with their handling of issues, but disagreement should not create division. The concern I have with our elections is the bullying attempts, lies, partial truths, and smear campaigns some campaign teams or supporters behind the candidates initiate. These are misleading to the voters and can give false impressions about candidates as well as cause harm to their reputations for reasons that are not even real and true. I spoke with several politicians prior to running so it was no surprise that it happens even at the local level.

Mundt: Yes, I believe Arizona elections are fairly run, and I trust the results. The fact that this question still arises, despite the extensive checks and balances implemented over the past four years, is a travesty. At times, it feels like living in an Orwellian version of "The Emperor's New Clothes," where people are repeatedly shown the facts they claim to seek, only to ignore them in favor of convenient cognitive dissonance. Trusting and abiding by the election results is essential for the integrity of our democratic process.

Lyons did not respond.

Reporter Maritza Dominguez covers Mesa, Gilbert and Queen Creek and can be reached at [email protected] or 480-271-0646. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @maritzacdom.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Gilbert Town Council candidates answer election 2024 Q&A