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Growth tops City Council candidate forum
Thelma Grimes /San Pedro Valley News-Sun
Growth was the hot topic Saturday during the Benson/San Pedro Valley Chamber of Commerce forum where Benson City Council members Dianne Tipton and Kathy Suagee campaigned to keep their jobs in the Sept. 2 election.
The two are facing a recall in the upcoming primary. Tipton will face off against David Lambert and Suagee is running against Jo Deen Boncquet.
With about 30 people in attendance, the candidates were asked how Benson should grow and their opinions on annexation.
Boncquet, a three-year resident, said the city should utilize the land near the Benson Municipal Airport and work to bring in more jobs and industry.
Lambert, a 15-year San Pedro Valley resident, said the key to Benson's success is controlled growth. Instead of focusing on annexation and outside growth, the city first needs to address dilapidated buildings along 4th Street.
"First impressions are everlasting," Lambert said. "I want people to see Benson for what it really is."
Tipton said growth is inevitable and essential to the survival of the community.
"Benson needs to be wise on how and where it grows," she said. "Making good use of existing land makes good sense."
Tipton, a three-year resident, said she would like the city to be careful about opening the door to runaway development. Before more homes are built, she said, the focus should be on getting more jobs and entertainment.
Suagee, a Benson resident for more than 20 years, said many feel like Benson should annex all land possible from St. David to J-Six and Mescal. She, however, is not one of them. With annexation comes the cost of taking care of roads, sewer and water, she said.
Agreeing with Lambert, Suagee said Benson's infill, or downtown, should be taken care of and any new annexation proposals should be considered carefully.
The council members were asked to state whether they are pro development, or pro developer.
Tipton said she is pro Benson, and is not for or against developers or development. When it comes to growth, Tipton, who has been on the council since last June, said she considers water and infrastructure issues to be her top priority.
Suagee didn't specify whether or not she is pro developer or development, but said she felt communities like Benson need to quit being so mobile and starting being more independent by growing their own food, bring in businesses to employ residents and at some point bring in entertainment such as a movie theater.
Lambert said it depends on the issue, noting that when the council took more than two years to approve the development plan for the project on Ridge Drive, he agreed because the developers had to answer the questions before moving forward.
"I supported the council's kicking that back until they got the answers they wanted," he said. "But if I had to choose one or the other, I would say I am pro development because that's where growth comes from."
Staying on the subject of growth, the candidates were asked to weigh in on how many residents per acre Benson should have.
Suagee said about 1.6 residents per acre is ideal, and that she liked the idea of cluster housing because it accommodated Benson's typography.
Lambert said it's not about how many people, its how many houses per acre, and he is in favor of four per acre.
Tipton didn't specify her preference, stating every project is different and the council has carefully consider every project. The council member said she doesn't want Benson to start approving developers that have too many homes like some in Tucson.
With the Benson City Council facing controversy and having several disagreements over the last six months, the candidates were asked their positions on the issues.
Tipton said it is unrealistic to believe that seven people on a board as important as the City Council will always get along on every issue. However, the first-term councilwoman said the city has made great strides despite some of the controversy.
Tipton said many say the recent controversies involving herself, Suagee and Mayor Mark Fenn have led some to believe that city business has stopped. On the contrary, Tipton said, there have been 205 votes over the last six months and she voted 189 times with the majority.
Suagee said no matter what, she will continue to fight for democracy.
"The public trust is a responsibility I do not take lightly," she said. "The trust the public puts in me outweighs all friendships, business relations and family ties. Everything is different when I serve as part of that body we call City Council. I become not me. I become one part of a seven-member organism, entrusted with making decisions that will affect those now living and those yet to come."
Boncquet said there's a difference in going along with the crowd and getting along. If elected, the registered nurse said she would speak up for what she believes regardless of the consequences, but at the same time would be willing to consider the position of the people.
Lambert agreed with Boncquet on the issue, stating not all council members are always going to get along, but a fresh new look at the issues is needed in Benson.
The candidates were also asked about why they should be elected and if they could handle the current political climate in Benson.
Tipton said the last six months has more than prepared her for the tough job.
"Political life as I have come to know it is mean-spirited," she said. "It is unkind and uncompassionate. Everything seems to be a game of control. It is all about control and once in awhile you get someone like me in there who will stick up for what is right."
Boncquet said while she is new to the political spotlight, 22 years of management experience in the medical industry qualify her for the job.
"At the present time I manage and organize 800 employees and 100 volunteers," Boncquet said. "I have a great ability to listen, educate and make rational decisions. I know when to act, and I know when to react."
The candidates were also asked if they felt council members should be involved in the day-to-day operations at City Hall.
Boncquet said while communication lines should be open and the council members should know what's going on, they should not micro-manage. Lambert agreed, stating that's why there is a city manager.
"But I think the council should be aware of what's going on at the city," Lambert said. "Daily business, no, but aware, yes."
Suagee expressed concern over a current problem, stating that one council member should not be going to City Hall on a weekly basis trying to push their own agenda as they are right now. She did not, however, specify which council members she was referring to.
Tipton said the city has hired a qualified staff to run the day-to-day operations and does not need constant directives from the City Council.
Only registered voters in the Benson city limits can vote in the City Council election. City Clerk Vicki Vivian said the election will not work like past elections where the top vote getters out of all the candidates will win. Suagee is specifically running against Boncquet and Tipton against Lambert.
Growth was the hot topic Saturday during the Benson/San Pedro Valley Chamber of Commerce forum where Benson City Council members Dianne Tipton and Kathy Suagee campaigned to keep their jobs in the Sept. 2 election.
The two are facing a recall in the upcoming primary. Tipton will face off against David Lambert and Suagee is running against Jo Deen Boncquet.
With about 30 people in attendance, the candidates were asked how Benson should grow and their opinions on annexation.
Boncquet, a three-year resident, said the city should utilize the land near the Benson Municipal Airport and work to bring in more jobs and industry.
Lambert, a 15-year San Pedro Valley resident, said the key to Benson's success is controlled growth. Instead of focusing on annexation and outside growth, the city first needs to address dilapidated buildings along 4th Street.
"First impressions are everlasting," Lambert said. "I want people to see Benson for what it really is."
Tipton said growth is inevitable and essential to the survival of the community.
"Benson needs to be wise on how and where it grows," she said. "Making good use of existing land makes good sense."
Tipton, a three-year resident, said she would like the city to be careful about opening the door to runaway development. Before more homes are built, she said, the focus should be on getting more jobs and entertainment.
Suagee, a Benson resident for more than 20 years, said many feel like Benson should annex all land possible from St. David to J-Six and Mescal. She, however, is not one of them. With annexation comes the cost of taking care of roads, sewer and water, she said.
Agreeing with Lambert, Suagee said Benson's infill, or downtown, should be taken care of and any new annexation proposals should be considered carefully.
The council members were asked to state whether they are pro development, or pro developer.
Tipton said she is pro Benson, and is not for or against developers or development. When it comes to growth, Tipton, who has been on the council since last June, said she considers water and infrastructure issues to be her top priority.
Suagee didn't specify whether or not she is pro developer or development, but said she felt communities like Benson need to quit being so mobile and starting being more independent by growing their own food, bring in businesses to employ residents and at some point bring in entertainment such as a movie theater.
Lambert said it depends on the issue, noting that when the council took more than two years to approve the development plan for the project on Ridge Drive, he agreed because the developers had to answer the questions before moving forward.
"I supported the council's kicking that back until they got the answers they wanted," he said. "But if I had to choose one or the other, I would say I am pro development because that's where growth comes from."
Staying on the subject of growth, the candidates were asked to weigh in on how many residents per acre Benson should have.
Suagee said about 1.6 residents per acre is ideal, and that she liked the idea of cluster housing because it accommodated Benson's typography.
Lambert said it's not about how many people, its how many houses per acre, and he is in favor of four per acre.
Tipton didn't specify her preference, stating every project is different and the council has carefully consider every project. The council member said she doesn't want Benson to start approving developers that have too many homes like some in Tucson.
With the Benson City Council facing controversy and having several disagreements over the last six months, the candidates were asked their positions on the issues.
Tipton said it is unrealistic to believe that seven people on a board as important as the City Council will always get along on every issue. However, the first-term councilwoman said the city has made great strides despite some of the controversy.
Tipton said many say the recent controversies involving herself, Suagee and Mayor Mark Fenn have led some to believe that city business has stopped. On the contrary, Tipton said, there have been 205 votes over the last six months and she voted 189 times with the majority.
Suagee said no matter what, she will continue to fight for democracy.
"The public trust is a responsibility I do not take lightly," she said. "The trust the public puts in me outweighs all friendships, business relations and family ties. Everything is different when I serve as part of that body we call City Council. I become not me. I become one part of a seven-member organism, entrusted with making decisions that will affect those now living and those yet to come."
Boncquet said there's a difference in going along with the crowd and getting along. If elected, the registered nurse said she would speak up for what she believes regardless of the consequences, but at the same time would be willing to consider the position of the people.
Lambert agreed with Boncquet on the issue, stating not all council members are always going to get along, but a fresh new look at the issues is needed in Benson.
The candidates were also asked about why they should be elected and if they could handle the current political climate in Benson.
Tipton said the last six months has more than prepared her for the tough job.
"Political life as I have come to know it is mean-spirited," she said. "It is unkind and uncompassionate. Everything seems to be a game of control. It is all about control and once in awhile you get someone like me in there who will stick up for what is right."
Boncquet said while she is new to the political spotlight, 22 years of management experience in the medical industry qualify her for the job.
"At the present time I manage and organize 800 employees and 100 volunteers," Boncquet said. "I have a great ability to listen, educate and make rational decisions. I know when to act, and I know when to react."
The candidates were also asked if they felt council members should be involved in the day-to-day operations at City Hall.
Boncquet said while communication lines should be open and the council members should know what's going on, they should not micro-manage. Lambert agreed, stating that's why there is a city manager.
"But I think the council should be aware of what's going on at the city," Lambert said. "Daily business, no, but aware, yes."
Suagee expressed concern over a current problem, stating that one council member should not be going to City Hall on a weekly basis trying to push their own agenda as they are right now. She did not, however, specify which council members she was referring to.
Tipton said the city has hired a qualified staff to run the day-to-day operations and does not need constant directives from the City Council.
Only registered voters in the Benson city limits can vote in the City Council election. City Clerk Vicki Vivian said the election will not work like past elections where the top vote getters out of all the candidates will win. Suagee is specifically running against Boncquet and Tipton against Lambert.
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Sign of trouble wrote on Aug 25, 2008 11:58 AM: