Heck, Johnson and Nesser answer Q&A for Apache Junction City Council race
Apache Junction voters are deciding who will fill three City Council seats in the July 30 election.
Apache Junction City Council incumbents Peter Heck, Bambi Johnson and Tess Nesser are hoping to retain their seats.
One newcomer, Mo Mohiuddin, is hoping to replace one of the incumbent competitors.
The Arizona Republic asked each candidate about everything from their reason for running, to their plan for fiscal management, to how they plan to address issues facing Apache Junction.
Mohiuddin did not respond to The Republic’s questionnaire. Here’s what the others had to say in alphabetical order. Some answers may have been slightly edited to fit the prearranged lengths for all.
Arizona election: Read our full election coverage of the Apache Junction City Council race
Vision: Why are you running for Apache Junction City Council?
Why are you running for Apache Junction City Council? If elected, what will your first priority be?
Peter Heck: I was appointed to the City Council in May of 2022. I am running for another term. My first priority is and will continue to be a targeted and comprehensive approach to Economic Development. The city derives a majority of its revenue from sales tax. Hence, I will continue to urge our economic development director to focus on retail and commercial development.
Bambi Johnson: I came to be seated on the city council two years ago when there were two vacancies due to previously elected members resigning their seats to run for other offices. After being chosen for one of the vacancies, I have enjoyed assisting Apache Junction and its citizens with issues that affect everyday living. If elected, my first priority will be to continue listening to our citizens regarding how best to grow our downtown area in a manner that brings in the businesses and tourism, while enhancing our rural culture. I believe with the right mix, we can do both.
Tess Nesser: I have been a volunteer with the city of AJ since 1998 when I was first appointed to the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Library Board of Trustees, and in 2000 to the Planning and Zoning Commission; thus, I have been involved with my city for over 25 years and wish to continue to be a contributing member to my community's growth. The opportunity arose in 2020 and I ran for City Council and the voters elected me to represent them on our council and I wish to continue the work I have been a part of for the past four years. My priority will be to continue working closely with city staff to be a driver for the direction our city takes towards growth in the far east valley. AJ's time has come!
Mo Mohiuddin did not respond.
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Taxing and spending: Where to the Apache Junction City 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?
Heck: I am not an advocate of increasing taxes on the residents of the city. I am in support of exploring initiatives to increase the revenue streams for the city. Enhancing our business community through economic development is a key initiative. I will support every effort to seek grant funding from any and all appropriate sources. In addition, as a result of the city's purchase of the Rodeo and Event Center here in Apache Junction, this decision will allow the city to leverage this location to expand events, thus increasing revenue for the city. The city does have two sales tax programs that are due to expire in the next year. It will be necessary to visit both of these taxes and consider a continuation of them.
Johnson: While I hope that we are not faced with a deficit, even though SB 1131 cut out our rental sales tax, I would not want to see the city services cut for the sake of our citizens. I believe we should continue the 0.2% roadway maintenance sales tax, which is used to fund our roadway maintenance and construction and the 0.2% public safety personnel retirement system sales tax that is set to expire next year. These currently generate approximately $1.7 million a year each.
Nesser: As the state continues to operate on the back of the cities, we will face some deficit but how much actual deficit is unknown as AJ happens to be a growing community at this same time. With the annexation of 2,800 acres of land into our city limits and the development of that land over the next few years, both residential and commercial, our source of income from sales tax will increase and hopefully balance out some of the deficit by the loss of rental tax (starting January 2025) and the decrease in shared income tax ... and possibly, in the future, the loss of food tax. The city of AJ operates primarily on sales tax so these deficits will definitely affect us, and we will need to look at how to maintain our income to successfully run a growing and thriving community ... and hopefully by not having to cut programs nor personnel.
Mohiuddin did not respond.
Perceptions: What would Apache Junction City Council 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?
Heck: The city has a long and honored tradition of being associated with the western lore. The city is an equine friendly community as well. It will be my commitment to assure that we continue this legacy of being a western town and supporting the rights of our horse owners. I will always support the effort to maintain the large lot properties in the city that permits the presence of horses. In terms of what I would change, we need to revisit the general plan adopted in 2020 and pursue every opportunity to improve our downtown. Through our growth and anticipated retail development, it is important that the image of our downtown evolves and thus increases resident involvement.
Johnson: Our small-town character. Apache Junction prides itself on our heritage as a rural area with a western flair, surrounded by some of the most beautiful outdoor recreational areas in the valley. While we try to maintain our history, we are continually upgrading our services. We have one of the finest police departments for a city our size and our parks and recreation department is outstanding. The public needs to get a better understanding of what our city has to offer to families and businesses. I would like to see our city shine more light on itself to help bring in the businesses that will most benefit our citizens.
Nesser: I will never change it and I hope no one after me ever changes AJ from being a horse community with open spaces. We are the home of the Superstition Mountains and we must always strive to protect our view of this majestic range of mountains. As to what needs to be changed in AJ, I wish I could say nothing. But, growth is inevitable, and growth of the Valley has reached AJ in the last few years. So even though I cannot stop growth, I can be a part of how our community grows ... and the AJ City Council just took the first step by purchasing over 10 acres of land in the center of our community which will become the focal point of our town ... we now can control and have the say as to how our town will look and what it can be.
Mohiuddin 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?
Heck: As the city continues to grow in the southern portion of our city, it will be exceedingly important to integrate our small town feel with the new residential development. Bringing our residents from the southern part of our city can be achieved with a consistent message of the enduring qualities of the city and increasing enthusiasm for our new residents to explore what we have to offer.
Johnson: Balanced growth. I would continue to work with the city staff and our development department towards more affordable housing to increase the number of rooftops needed to attract the business opportunities that would best serve those new citizens.
Nesser: For Apache Junction it is growth on a large scale. Over 8,000 acres of State Trust Land has been annexed into the city limits of AJ. 2,800 acres of that is presently being developed into a Master Planned Community. This land all sits south of the US 60. Until this annexation, most of incorporated AJ was north of the US 60. These properties north of the US 60 are mostly privately owned, open space, large acreage ... and many are horse properties. The concern of many long-time residents of AJ is that we will lose our rural horse community lifestyle. I will do all that I can to not let that happen. We also do not want AJ to become a divided city as that would not be good for our economy. So, one long-term issue will be to work to blend two different areas into one community where everyone can feel comfortable, and both will support each other. We need those who live south of the 60 to shop local in AJ and we will need those who live north of the 60 to embrace this new portion of our community and welcome them as part of one community.
Mohiuddin did not respond.
Election integrity: Where do the Apache Junction City 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?
Who in public life, past or present, do you admire most? Why? And what lesson do you draw from that person’s experience?
Heck: Doug Coleman is a man with whom I have the highest regard. Doug has been a dedicated public servant for many years. From his service on our City Council, including two terms as our mayor, to terms in the State Legislature as well as a term as our Justice of the Peace. The qualities I admire are his commitment to being fair and impartial, his humility and his commitment to his family and faith. I endeavor to conduct myself with those qualities.
Johnson: Abraham Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln was a man of the people who regardless of both the Civil War and political issues of the time, he stayed true to his beliefs and principles that the citizens were the true strength of the country. I believe that you must first be a person of good moral and ethical values, to be able to listen to the advice and views of others with an open mind, to best serve those who have decided on you to represent their best interests.
Nesser: My dad, Don Nesser. My dad was my mentor, my teacher, my coach, my everything. In retrospect I know that he worked to make me a better person. He refused to allow me to be dumb. He made me learn. He saw potential in me that I did not know I possessed. My dad retired in Apache Junction from a 35-year career in the U.S. military, but he did not sit idly by. He was involved with AJ's incorporation, and he was the first Chair of the first Board of Adjustment. This is one of the reasons I became involved as a volunteer with the City of AJ over 25 years ago. I work to make the city he helped create, a better place for everyone, to live, work, worship, attend school, and have fun playing.
Mohiuddin did not respond.
Do you think Arizona elections are fairly run? Do you trust the results? Will you abide by them? Why or why not?
Heck: I was troubled by the election process in the past. There appeared to be inconsistencies with the process and the lack of confirming the validity of ballots. I know much has been done to address the process for this election. It is my fervent hope that the measures taken to implement a proper checks and balances system will assure a fair and equitable election this year. If these measures are put into effect, I will support the results of the election.
Johnson: Yes, and I will abide by them. I believe that our election process is fairly run and with both early ballots and the voting stations, that our voters have the opportunity to express their choice of candidates. The new Pinal County Recorder and new elections center in Florence, we are expecting a high level of accuracy for the upcoming elections.
Nesser: For over 10 years I have been a precinct worker in Pinal County. I have been an ID Clerk and am now a judge. From my personal experience working at the polls in Gold Canyon and Apache Junction, Arizona elections are fairly run. Yes, I trust the results, at least those from Pinal County based on the work I have first-hand knowledge of from working the polls in Pinal County. Yes, I shall abide by the results and trust in the votes cast by the voters of Pinal County.
Mohiuddin did not respond.
Reach the reporter at kweaver@gannett.com.