For two hours Monday night, Tempe residents gathered in the City Council chambers to hear five council and three mayoral candidates make their case to voters, who will head to the polls on March 13 for the primary election and May 15 for the general election.
Corey Woods and Joel Navarro are the city council incumbents seeking another term against Dick Foreman, who served 10 years on the Tempe Union High School District governing board; Angie Taylor Thornton, a small-business owner; and Kolby Granville, an attorney at Mariscal, Weeks, McIntyre, and Friedlander, PA. All are vying for one of the three seats open on the council.
The three mayoral candidates are Linda Spears, a former city council member; Mark Mitchell, a current city council member; and Michael Monti, owner of Tempe steakhouse Monti's la Casa Vieja.
City council candidates fielded numerous questions, including their vision for Tempe. All of the candidates talked about growing the city's economy and redevelopment of older parts.
"I doubt you will find major differences in visionary paths. We all want Tempe to succeed," Foreman said.
While the candidates may all want the same outcome for Tempe, they differ substantively when it comes to important city policy decisions such as the rebuilding of Tempe Town Lake's dam and the proposed 2.6-mile street-car line.
When asked about the dam, Foreman advocated a private-development, free-market solution to this problem. Similarly, Thornton said she wanted "to build a plan that brings in private enterprise and brings (the city) tax revenue."
Both Woods and Navarro talked about the use of bonds and leasing land to pay for the dam.
Rather, Woods talked about picking and choosing the events the city holds. He advocates taking a "look at the events we have downtown" and wants the city to ask, "What events are bringing people downtown?" The eventual outcome, Woods hopes, is to choose events that are more popular and bring in more revenue for the city.
The approved street-car line brought out different reactions from the candidates as well. Granville voiced staunch opposition to the project for budgetary concerns, as the city did not receive the federal TIGER Grant. Navarro rebutted that there were other federal grants the city was applying for.
Woods and Foreman emerged as advocates for the issue. It will bring in new private investment just as the light rail did, Woods said. Foreman brought up the city's desire for more public transportation.
"Tempe voted for Prop 400 and wants public transportation," Foreman said.
In 2004, Maricopa County voters approved Proposition 400 to extend a half-cent transportation sales tax until 2025. The street-car line would be paid in part by using some of these funds.
Thornton, for her part, remained skeptical. "If it is a burden to the taxpayers, voters should decide," she said.
One question brought up a supposed divide in Tempe: the northern end, home to ASU and a more urban area, and the southern end, the more suburban part of the city.
The candidates were specifically asked how they would bridge the public transportation gap. The popular Orbit bus routes, which do not go south of the U.S. 60 highway, leave much of south Tempe without these services.
Most the candidates were open to the idea of charging fares to ride these bus routes, as they are currently free. Woods is ultimately concerned about the solvency of this bus system, while Granville said he wants to "charge fees to keep the homeless off of them." Thornton echoed Granville's concerns as well.
The mayoral debate followed the city council debate, and proved to be livelier. With no time-limited responses, the three candidates engaged in a rigorous debate about their vision of Tempe.
Monti accused Mitchell of spending $14,400 of the city's money on travel over the last three years.
Mitchell did not deny using taxpayer money for business travel, but pushed back against the idea that he misused public funds. He also said much of his own money was spent on these trips as well.
Citing newly minted Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton's and Mesa Mayor Scott Smith's well-received trip to Washington D.C. for the U.S. Conference of Mayors, he said it is a part of his job as a councilman.
"Traveling is a part of being a leader," Mitchell said. Touting what different trips brought about, he said traveling allowed him to discuss whether Tempe had access to federal transit funds and to learn about new resources.
After a visit to another university town, Mitchell pushed to make the city's loud party noise ordinance's penalties more enforceable and "give them more teeth."
Monti, still not sold on Mitchell's travels, dismissed the idea of this ordinance. "(The) trips helped his political credentials more than answered a city question," he said.
Later in the debate, Monti took Mitchell to task again.
Monti came out against "cavalier re-zoning," a knock of Mitchell's earlier touting of acres and acres of re-zoning the city has done, which resulted in new construction jobs, Mitchell said.
By letting the city dictate some of these decisions, we are "picking winners and losers;" rather, we should let the private sector do its work, Monti said.
While Monti's tiffs with Mitchell ran down the debate clock, Spears made her points as well. Her vision for Tempe includes a robust economy, parks that flourish and a healthy rainy-day fund for the city.
She also argued that balancing the city's budget isn't enough; Tempe's elected officials are already legally required to do it. The city must "do a good job of looking at what our residents want and how we are going to pay for that," Spears said.
When asked about the north/south Tempe divide, she said it is detrimental to the city because the divide leaves many residents going into other cities to spend their hard-earned dollars, due to lack of unity.
Bobinit posted at 8:54 am on Tue, Jan 31, 2012.
Great forum! Michael Monti clearly showed he is the most qualified candidate for mayor. It was very clear last night that Michael Monti wants to be hired to do a job and work for the best interests of Tempe. Mark Mitchell wants to continue to travel using public funds and make "friends" around the country. My city council and tax dollars should not be used to make play dates for Harry Mitchell's son. Let's elect a leader with real credentials and protect Tempe and all its amenities so we can all benefit. Monti is "visiting" politics. Mitchell is vacationing in politics. I will be voting for Michael Monti.
republicouldnt posted at 9:33 am on Tue, Jan 31, 2012.
Michael Monti showed that he was in this race for ONE REASON and ONE REASON ONLY-- SELF BENEFIT. Every idea the man has or advocates advantages HIS RESTAURANT. He must have mentioned his place of business at least 10 times in 1 hour. He advocates for a STREETCAR that is going to have a $2.1 MILLION A YEAR DEFICIT. Is that a Republican ideal?
He advocates for a swimming hole at Tempe Town Lake? Any idea how much that would cost a year? MILLIONS! And he advocates for it so that he can sell a few more steaks?
MONTI has NO VISION for TEMPE. We already had a Mayor who has left Tempe with no legacy. We don't need another working for the benefit of the almighty dollar and leaving the citizens of this City drown deficits.
Johartz posted at 9:37 am on Tue, Jan 31, 2012.
This was a wonderful opportunity for the residents of Tempe to hear candidates for local office lay out their vision for the city.
I was very impressed with Foreman.
He has shown himself time & again to be the adult in the room. He looks at issues pragmatically, is committed to fiscal responsibility, but also understands that the City must leverage public amenities to bring visitors to Tempe and encourage local development.
It is a no brainer that Foreman should be elected to the Tempe Council. We need a tireless advocate for who will champion the City of Tempe while working to ensure financial responsibility.
republicouldnt posted at 9:40 am on Tue, Jan 31, 2012.
I'd rather have a Mayor that cares for the City of Tempe more than his bottom line.
Oh, and how much TAXPAYER $$$ is MONTI willing to FLUSH down the TOILET for the STREETCAR and his SWIMMING HOLE at Tempe Town Lake? MILLIONS. MILLIONS of DOLLARS.
I'm in favor of putting someone in charge who knows what the hell they're doing. And trust me, that ain't Monti.
Rupert posted at 9:53 am on Tue, Jan 31, 2012.
Monti's tactics last night were deplorable. In transparent Karl Rovian, Hugh Hallmanian fashion, he tries to take Mark Mitchell's strengths: the connections he makes across the country to benefit Tempe and his regional approach to the issues, and turn them into weaknesses. Absurd. Mark Mitchell is a leader in the Valley (e.g, he is Vice President of the AZ League of Cities & Towns) and has been zealous in seeking out opportunities for federal funding for Tempe in those trips he made to DC (staying at his parent's place, BTW). Monti is launching a demagogic attack on Mark's travel and, though teaparty folk may respond in Pavlovian fashion, Tempe's voters will see right through Monti's tactics. The voters want a Mayor who will work alongside Greg Stanton and other Valley Mayors. They want a mayor with experience, who will increase Tempe's share of Federal funding. Monti will stick his head in the sand (of Tempe Beach Park?) and set Tempe in the wrong direction.
renaissanceman posted at 10:31 am on Tue, Jan 31, 2012.
The Council Forum debate was a fantastic, a complete show of respect for what Tempe has achieved and the continued vision for the future. I applaud Councilman Corey Woods for his depth of knowledge, passion and grace for Tempe that he has gained in just a few short years. Woods understands the long range issues, the funding options and the ramifications back onto the city residents and taxpayers..Re-electing Corey Wood to the Council is simply put a no brainer and a well worth investment. Thank you Corey Woods, I'm thankful you CHOSE Tempe over all the places in America to give your hard work, your heart and soul to the good folks of Tempe
renaissanceman posted at 11:02 am on Tue, Jan 31, 2012.
Now, lets talk about the the Dark Side of the Evening when the Mayoral candidates made their way to the table for their vision for Tempe. I have always felt Tempe is the true jewel of Metro Phoenix. Tempe has emerged to be the progressive beacon that people flock into her environs for all we have to offer whether it be neighborhoods, recreation, education and jobs. With that said, what a shock when Michael Monti lashed into his negative view of Tempe and of rival Councilman Mark Mitchell. I was knocked out of my seat when Micheal Monti reduced himself to the worst kind of politics and that being a dirty rotten scoundrel. Monti's attacks on Mitchell were the obvious flaws of Monti and his complete lack of respect for the forum and it's goals. NONE of Monti's attacks on Mitchell had any depth what so ever-just cheap trick shots and he disgraced himself with his tactics. I was disgusted that Monti could not bring himself to really herald in all the successes of Tempe and bring forth a VISION. Monti is just another complainer of government and his ego to be the underdog to save the day. Exactly what has Monti really done for Tempe in terms quality of life? Michael Monti is just a closeted soldier for Hugh Hallman and it is clear to me that he was coached by Hallman with his attacks on Mitchell. VOTE NO on Monti...he is NOT the best Tempe has to offer for our hometown leader
renaissanceman posted at 12:03 pm on Tue, Jan 31, 2012.
It was clear to me that there is a complete difference between the merits of Mark Mitchell and Michael Monti for Mayor of Tempe. I was impressed that Mitchell had the grace underfire from Monti to tell us exactly why Mitchell should be elevated from Council to Mayor in Tempe. Mitchell is and was amazing educating us how he has spent his time on the Tempe City Council understanding and implementing the tools that has brought Tempe into a fantastic lifestyle. Mitchell has spent his time wisely building relationships with organizations, neighboring Mayors and Councils that brings forth tools for Tempe's infrastructure plans. I am deeply humbled that Mark Mitchell steps forth to the table with the continuing positive legacy of a family that truly has put Tempe first...ALWAYS....that being the Mitchell Family. Harry and Marianne Mitchell should be ever so proud their son Mark Mitchell will continue the road of our TRUE HISTORY and legacy of Tempe.....an All America City. The City of Tempe has been so fortunate with our City Council members and that includes Mark Mitchell. I feel safe and secure knowing Tempe is in good hands. Vote YES on Mark Mitchell for Tempe Mayor....it's the True History we can count on for a continued vision of excellence.
ScullyCute posted at 1:53 pm on Tue, Jan 31, 2012.
I thought Monti's performance was terrible. He seemed more interested in plugging his restaurant than he did debating the issues.
IMHO, Mark Mitchell was the only one to come off as mayoral, and as such I'm fairly certain he will be getting my vote.
citizencane posted at 5:07 pm on Tue, Jan 31, 2012.
Spears and Monti had a command of the issues. Mitchell could not give a good explanation as to why he spent $14,000 in city money on travel over 3 years.
renaissanceman posted at 9:12 pm on Tue, Jan 31, 2012.
Mitchell MOST CERTAINLY DID EXPLAIN all his reimbursements....all legitimate city business. Its all public record. Maybe we should do a sweep of HUGHHALLMANPATROL and find out all his expenses. Mitchell gave excellent delivery of all issues that were asked of him and of the other candidates. Michael Monti and his scoundrel tactics are as low Mayor Hallman has been on MANY OCCASIONS. Monti needs to simply drop out of the race....Monti is not Tempe material