KEY ISSUES 

Frankly speaking- At the very beginning of my bid for Mayor, someone asked me what my political background was. I don't have a political background. I have a background in POLITICAL ACTION, I have a background in FIXING PROBLEMS. I have a background in fighting for what I believe in and daring someone to tell me it can't be done. So I'm also here to ask "Why do we need someone in the office of Mayor with a background in telling the public what they want to hear about the issues at hand, and then doing whatever they want to anyway?"

Why should you write-in Michael Godsey for Mayor of Maricopa?

As of the time of this update, January 15, 2008, most of what everyone has heard from the candidates has been the "political" answers. "I promise change", "I have a plan", "I will work hard for you"....

I am proud to be the first and only candidate to tell you just how this change can happen. The "political" answers stop today!

No longer will Maricopa answer strictly to the "elite" or the "Good ol' boys". To be a true representative, which elected officials are supposed to be, we have to think about the needs of ALL of our citizens. Here's how...

Priority One! Our local economy and transportation.

Widening of Hwy 347 is necessary and must be actively pursued but even then it is not likely to happen quickly. So how do we fix transportation? By meeting more of our citizens needs right HERE in Maricopa. By sparking our own economy and not waiting patiently for another housing boom.

Here is one of the problems that needs fixing. As of July 2007, our Development Impact Fees were raised from their previous level set in 2005. Our development fees are higher than most area cities. How is that considered "attracting" businesses? We need to seek those companies that will have a desirable economic effect on our city and give them every incentive to come here. We need to contact these companies directly and show them what we can do for them in Maricopa. We need to reduce these fees for a company that meets our economic criteria. Reduce them again for a company that is prepared to act quickly. We receive Sales Tax revenue from these businesses, and that will easily offset the reduced impact fees and spark the growth we need. Having a "shovel ready" site is a good start, but if our fees are ridiculously high and we dont realize that  the "long-term" economic effect of these companies far outweigh the one-time fees that we are charging, then all we are left with is, a lot of EMPTY "shovel-ready" sites.

A very close second priority! Our educational system and growing gang problem.

As Mayor of Maricopa, I will assure all citizens of a "zero-tolerance" policy for gang activities. I will vigorously push the school district to take necessary steps to protect our students, whether it be school uniforms, requiring clear bags and backbacks to reduce weapons smuggling, an increase in police presence at our schools. Whatever it takes, will happen. My campaign is currently researching anti-gang policies that have worked in other parts of the country. If it takes a curfew, I will push for one. If it takes more police officers, then we will get them. A gang file needs to be started to track suspected gang members. In my opinion, the gangs are an organization and a threat to our security. We will not stand-by and wait for them to hurt or kill someone, or deal their drugs, but instead we will track, investigate, prosecute and shut down these local gangs. We will help make parents aware of things to watch out for that may indicate their child is a gang member and help those that need help if they are willing to get out of the gang. Bottom line, If you are a gang member, GET OUT because the city of Maricopa is coming!

One of our best solutions is the creation of a safe place for our children and teens. A YMCA, or other youth center program complete with a meaningful after-school program and other activities that so many of us parents wish for. Again, as mentioned above, just having a "shovel-ready" site for a YMCA doesnt mean they are coming. We have to attract them here.

Our education system needs our support and sparking our economy will attract more of the qualified people that our district desperately needs to succeed. A school representative told me that funding is not the issue. the issue is attracting qualified individuals to our city. Our economic growth is the only way to fix that.

 Priority Three! Fiscal responsibility.

I dont know about everyone else, but I was  disturbed to hear of an increase in our Property Tax Assessments that was voted on during a special meeting in July. A vote to increase these assessments by 30%, raising it by over 2.1 million dollars. We are on the verge of a recession in this country. This can be a  time when the city can finally "catch up" if we act  properly and intelligently.

I am troubled when I read these feasibility and impact studies. They all start out the same way. "Maricopa is experiencing hyper-growth and will soon be an economic center in Pinal County. Population in Maricopa is expected to increase by 50% annually to a range of 140,000-200,000 residents by the year 2010", depending on the study. These studies were performed during the height of our housing boom. Shortly after these studies, the exact opposite happened. The housing market topped out and reversed violently and our country is on the verge of a recession. What does this mean? It means this information is no longer accurate. Virtually every economist now expects this downtrend to continue through 2009 or beyond before slowly improving. The previous housing boom started around 1992. If we are holding our breath waiting for another boom then we are in trouble. Think about this: "The average homeowner holds on to their house for 5-10 years". The point is, our nations' economy is unlikely to provide a spark to our city anytime soon. That is up to us!

The "political" answers stop now! I challenge all the candidates to make your ideas and intentions known to the citizens of Maricopa because they deserve it! As of this moment, no other candidate has unveiled anything more than political promises. Its now time! Let the citizens of Maricopa see what you have to offer!

I encourage everyone to visit my "Thought of the Day" page where everyday I look at a new idea or issue that was brought up to me on the campaign trail and share it with you, "my fellow citizens of Maricopa".

Thank You