Incumbent Chip Wilson answers Q&A for Apache Junction mayoral race
Apache Junction voters are deciding who will be the city’s mayor in the July 30 election, a race that will determine who leads the city on key issues such as water retention and preserving rural areas over at least the next two years.
Incumbent Mayor Chip Wilson is vying for one more two-year term as the city’s top elected official.
He’s facing off with newcomer Ari Kalan for the position.
The Arizona Republic asked each candidate about everything from their reason for running, to what they believe is the biggest issue facing Apache Junction today.
Kalan did not respond to The Republic’s questionnaire. Here’s what the other mayoral contender had to say. Answers may have been slightly edited to fit prearranged lengths.
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Vision: Why are you running for Apache Junction mayor?
Why are you running for Apache Junction mayor? If elected, what will your first priority be?
Chip Wilson: I am running for one more two-year term to get a couple of important things started and/or completed. My first priority is the building of a water retention basin on Weekes Wash. Every major rainstorm that happens we experience major flooding in our community affecting over 4,000 homes. This basin will keep the waters from coming into our city and will slowly release it over time to prevent this major flooding. This will help remove these homes from the flooding danger and also decrease their flood insurance cost. It will also remove the dangers our first responders face when responding to trapped people and animals in this flooding area. It will also eliminate the cost to the city in cleanup and repair activities after the storm. We have been fortunate that we have not lost any life during these floods but have come very close several times. Our first responders have been able to help remove people from those dangers. I was successful in receiving over $44 million from a federal government grant that will pay for half of the cost. Also looking to Maricopa Flood Control District for additional assistance.
Ari Kalan did not respond.
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Taxing and spending: Where do the Apache Junction mayoral 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?
Wilson: The state legislature has decided that the cities in Arizona do not need to impose a rental tax in their communities. Our city has lost $1.5 million in general funding revenue. I will support the continuation of our current sales tax rate. Currently a portion of our sales tax rate is up for renewal and since Apache Junction does not have a real-estate tax, I feel continuing the current sales tax rate is the best way to address this loss. The state legislature decided that this tax was not needed and we are forced to continue our 0.2% sales tax that is up for renewal. If we do not renew this sales tax we will be forced to reduce our city services to include police officers and with the growth we are experiencing this will result in a decreased response time from our police force. Additional support activities and personnel in both parks and recreation and library will also have to be addressed. I will not support an attempt to implement a property tax that must go before the voters to approve. I feel the best is for us just to continue our current sales tax rate.
Kalan did not respond.
Perceptions: What would Apache Junction mayoral candidates change?
What is the best thing about Apache Junction that you would never change? Why? What is the first thing that needs changing and why?
Wilson: Our views and open space in and through our city. We must also continue to protect our rural areas of our city. The high density should be kept to the southern part of the city with hiking, biking, and horse trails connecting the areas together. One of the things we need to continue to see and allow is a horse and rider in line at the Burger King drive-thru or any drive-thru getting something to eat or drink. Also, a horse and rider in our downtown area doing business at our local businesses. I will continue to protect these images that say “you have arrived in Apache Junction." This is what attracted so many of us to this city and I will follow our general plan that the voters of the city put together and passed.
Kalan did not respond.
The big picture: What is the biggest issue facing Apache Junction?
What is the biggest long-term issue facing Apache Junction? How would you work to address it over the course of your council term?
Wilson: Biggest issue is the major flooding that we experience during a major storm. Working with the Pinal County we have already installed a water retention area near the city facilities that addresses the flooding we experience in the central part of our city. This retention basin will become another park area like the dog park that is also a smaller water retention basin. We need to address Weekes Wash area to address the flooding in the eastern part of our city. I am working very hard to keep this moving forward. The other thing that needs improvement is the widening of the U.S. 60 and continuing the SR 24 on the southern part of the city all the way over to U.S. 60. With the growth to the south we need to work on continuing Meridian south to the SR 24. This will relieve the traffic on Ironwood Drive with the industry going in on the south side of SR 24 this will greatly address the transportation needs for this growing area. We are working with MAG and ADOT on these plans and future funding. I currently sit on the MAG board and will keep this moving forward.
Kalan did not respond.
Inspiration: Who shapes the Apache Junction mayoral 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?
Chip Wilson: I have two men that I have met and had conversations with that I admire. Both men have given me inspiration and ideas to help form my drive and desires to serve the people of our city. Years ago when he was running for president, I had the opportunity to meet and talk with Mr. Barry Goldwater. He was being interviewed by my father and after his interview he talked to me about service to our country and service to the people where we lived. He sparked my interest in service not only to our nation but also to our community. The second person is Mr. John McCain. I had conversations with him and he taught me I needed to listen to both sides of an issue and address them. I was addressing a horse problem created by a national rule that affected veterinarians. He taught me how to address the other side and respond in a way that addressed it, but still got our message across. He became a sponsor of this bill and we were successful in getting rules changed to allow the veterinarians to perform their services at our homes. Both men gave me guidance and inspiration.
Kalan did not respond.
Election integrity: Where do the Apache Junction mayoral candidates stand?
Do you think Arizona elections are fairly run? Do you trust the results? Will you abide by them? Why or why not?
Chip Wilson: Yes. I know we have had some problems here in Pinal County but know they have corrected these problems and they have just moved into their new building in Florence and I have walked through this facility and seen all the improvements and all the training the new people have received is going to help improve the election services they provide. Yes, I will abide by the results they present to the public. Because they are now fully staffed with experienced people and are fully trained. The problem we had before was inexperience and very little training and above all not fully staffed so several people were trying to do several jobs at the same time.
Kalan did not respond.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Incumbent Chip Wilson answers Q&A for Apache Junction mayoral race
