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Rosanna Gabaldón Council Member Town of Sahuarita |
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Town elects three new Council members By Philip Franchine, The Sahuarita Sun Published: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 10:55 PM MDT
The Sahuarita Town Council will have three new members next month as Duane Blumberg, Kara Egbert and Rosanna Gabaldon defeated, in order of finish, incumbent John J. Sullivan, challenger Alex Jacome and incumbent Roger Minor. Gabaldon, aided by almost $10,000 in fundraising through April 29, and the first heavy participation by the Democratic Party of Pima County, vaulted ahead of Sullivan by 158 votes, reversing their finish in the primary election. Sullivan called it a "bought election" and an "atrocity." The others finished in the same positions as in the primary election; Minor conceded defeat publicly weeks before the voting ended. Voter turnout was 39.7 percent, much higher than the primary when 28.7 percent of voters turned out. Sullivan turned down party and union support and spent no more than $500. Of the winners, only Blumberg kept below the $500 reporting threshold, but likely received strong support from his home base in the politically active and high-turnout Quail Creek community, which two years ago helped elect Vice Mayor Phillip Conklin in the primary. The three winners also were supported by the independent BEG for Change political committee, which was heavily supported by Rancho Sahuarita developer Bob Sharpe. Sharpe, using BEG messages, targeted Sullivan and Minor for defeat, blaming incumbents for delays in a sign ordinance that was portrayed as preventing Home Depot from opening a new store in town. Incumbents also took a verbal beating from residents late in the campaign for the town council’s passive response to the proposed federal detention center north of Sahuarita on the Tohono O’odham reservation, and because council members learned about the detention center in November and failed to tell residents about it. “I am honored to have been elected to represent our community as a member of the Town Council,” Blumberg said via e-mail after his win. “The campaign process gave me an opportunity to visit different areas of the town and to meet fellow residents. The experience has strengthened my belief that Sahuarita is a great place to live.” Egbert, who lives in Rancho Sahuarita, said she looks forward to representing “all of Sahuarita during the next four years and will work to keep the small-town values in our growing community.” Gabaldon, who learned of her victory from a reporter after she emerged from a movie theater, said, “I’m humbled and very pleased that I ran a really good campaign, want to thank my friends, family and supporters for helping me with the election. I look forward to serving the people of Sahuarita.” Sullivan said he “absolutely” did not regret his decision to turn down Democratic Party and union support, saying, “This was a bought election. If this is what the town wants, then they got it, a bought election. This is an atrocity.” Gabaldon, Egbert and Jacome and the BEG committee raised a combined $20,161 by April 29, with large portions coming from out of state and from Tucson. The other three candidates raised and spent less than $500 each. Historically, most candidates have kept under $500, and fund-raising has never reached the proportions seen in this campaign. Political parties and unions also have never played such a strong role in the election. Gabaldon collected a total of $9,788; BEG for Change $5,460; Egbert $2,626 and Jacome $2,287. Jacome filed his report May 15, eight days after the deadline. Nearly complete but unofficial results were posted on the Pima County Elections Department Web site on Tuesday night. Town Clerk Vicky Miel said the totals listed Tuesday night did not include 172 votes, including 124 that were cast Tuesday at Sahuarita Town Hall and 48 that arrived at the County Recorder’s office Tuesday in the mail. The votes cast Tuesday likely were not enough to change the outcome. The newly elected council members will take office at the end of the May 26 town council meeting, but won’t vote until the next council meeting. Among their early tasks will be electing a mayor and vice mayor for the next two years, and voting on the town budget for 2009-10, which must be approved by June 30, the end of the fiscal year. The other four council members are Mayor Lynne Skelton, Vice Mayor Phillip Conklin and council members Charles Oldham and Scott Downs, whose terms end in 2011. pfranchine@sahuarita.com| 547-9738 http://sahuaritasun.com/articles/2009/05/22/news/48sahvote0520.txt
Election results: Sahuarita, S. Tucson getting new council members Marana incumbents appear to have won By Brian J. Pedersen Arizona Daily Star Tucson, Arizona | Published: 05.19.2009
Voters in Sahuarita and South Tucson elected four new town council representatives Tuesday, while a pair of Marana incumbents appeared to hold onto their seats.
In Sahuarita, the all-mail election saw challengers Duane Blumberg, Kara Egbert and Rosanna Gabaldon finished first through third, respectively, in the six-person race for three seats. Each of the winners appeared on more than 2,000 of the 4,495 ballots cast, with Blumberg (2,646) and Egbert (2,399) showing up on more than half of the ballots. Gabaldon (2,006) received 158 more votes than incumbent John J. Sullivan (1,848), who finished fourth, while challenger Alex Jacome (1,417) was fifth and incumbent Roger Minor (1,261) was sixth.
In Marana, incumbents Jon Post (1,601) and Carol McGorray (1,286) led challengers Kelle Maslyn (1,195) and Larry Steckler (853) for the two open seats with three of five town precincts reporting. In South Tucson, challenger John Felix got 98 votes to oust incumbent Ildefonso Green (61) in the sparsely-voted election.
Cash for council campaign coming from out of state By Philip Franchine, The Sahuarita Sun Published: Friday, May 8, 2009 5:15 PM MDT Much of the cash spent in the battle for three Sahuarita Town Council seats is coming from out of state, and two candidates who opted to go over the $500 reporting threshold spent more than they brought in. The BEG for Change political committee, heavily backed by Rancho Sahuarita developer Bob Sharpe, raised 70 percent of its money out of state and 97 percent from outside the area, according to campaign finance reports covering March 31 to April 29. http://www.sahuaritasun.com/articles/2009/05/09/breaking_news/01candspend0508.txt
Forums give insight into candidates
Vote turnout at 20.8 percent by Philip Franchine Published: Tuesday, April 28, 2009 4:01 PM MDTRapidly changing Sahuarita needs flexible leaders Editorial by Rosanna Gabaldón, Sahuarita Sun Published: Tuesday, April 28, 2009 8:25 PM MDT
Our community is changing rapidly, and we need leaders who can change right along with it. We must adapt to our surroundings while never forgetting who we are and what makes Sahuarita such a special place to call home. With that in mind I ask that you please vote for me to serve as your representative on the Sahuarita Town Council so that together we can face the challenges that are ahead. Having served on several volunteer boards, and having taken on leadership roles in these organizations, I am qualified and ready to serve. Each week I dedicate many hours to various charities; assisting in raising funds, developing strategies for success and working to bring in money into our community. I would like to bring that experience to our town council. It has been my honor to be a candidate that is proud to represent skilled workers, families, children and our senior citizens. Sahuarita is a great place to raise a family and to settle down, I am committed to keeping it that way. I will fight for your values, and work to keep our community economically diversified and sustainable. Throughout my campaign I have stressed the need for better communication. I have promised to reach out to the citizens in our community and not just wait for them to come to me. My volunteers and I have knocked on thousands of doors and met with many of our voters. As a challenger it is up to me, to gain your confidence and to earn your vote. Having begun this campaign with only a wish and a prayer, I have accomplished much and learned even more. The Town Council must focus on attracting new retail and service businesses to our area and somehow lose its reputation as being difficult for businesses to work with. A sincere effort is needed to help our local businesses prosper and expand. Our skilled workers need sustainable employment opportunities. One way we can help them is to attract companies that provide high wages. This will require vision and a long-term commitment from our local leaders. Sahuarita should take a more proactive approach in support of a regional sustainable water supply. Contamination, depletion and subsidence are three dangers that result from the water tables falling. Our best choice is to join the State in further development of the CAP water to Sahuarita. I want to encourage our citizens to vote. By demonstrating our power at the ballot box, our County, State and Federal representatives will take notice and recognize that our citizens will vote on the issues that matter to them. This will be critical and necessary when we take on the task of addressing the concerns of a Federal detention center in our own backyard. To those who have not yet voted, please do so now. Don’t delay, vote today. Sahuarita must be open to new ideas and should not fear change, because only by challenging ourselves we will be able to find the solutions that will make this a sustainable Town. Sometimes our best ideas come from listening to others.
Rosanna Gabaldón is a candidate for Sahuarita Town Council. She came to Sahuarita from Tucson. She is a member of the Towns Parks and Recreation Commission, and past member of the Towns Economic Development Commission. She serves on the Green Valley Community Food Bank Advisory Board, the Greater Green Valley Community Foundation, Friends of the Green Valley Library and the South Pima Regional Partnership Council. The views expressed are the writer’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of this newspaper.
http://www.sahuaritasun.com/articles/2009/04/28/letters/03commentarygabaldon.txt
Council candidates clash over partisanship at forum By Philip Franchine, The Sahuarita Sun Published: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 9:43 AM MDT Gabaldón said she would work to expand family-oriented services in the town by partnering with other agencies. Gabaldón said that as she canvasses, residents tell her they feel out of touch with the town and she hopes to remedy that, saying, “It’s important that I hear from you. I’m not going to wait, I will go to you” to find out the needs of residents. http://www.sahuaritasun.com/articles/2009/04/23/breaking_news/02forum421.txt
Sharpe e-mail to Rancho residents: Home Depot gone By Philip Franchine, The Sahuarita Sun Published: Saturday, April 18, 2009 9:50 PM MDT SEE THE EMAIL: Click Here Developer Bob Sharpe
notified Rancho Sahuarita residents in an e-mail Friday evening
that Home Depot had terminated its agreement with the developer
over a possible store, and wasted no time in linking the matter
to the Town Council election. Gabaldon leads council fund-raising By Philip Franchine Published: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 Rosanna Gabaldón has widened her Town Council fundraising lead since mid-February, adding about $960 in cash ... http://sahuaritasun.com/articles/2009/04/15/news/15council415.txt PR newspaper takes role in election By Philip Franchine Published: Tuesday, April 7, 2009 4:03 PM MDT The Sahuarita Times paper, published by a Rancho Sahuarita Co. consultant, has jumped into the Town Council election, writing stories highly favorable to three candidates ... Gabaldon said, “It would be inappropriate for me to provide editorial comment of a newspaper’s front page to a competing newspaper. However, my responses to their questions were accurately published.” She said the Times’ portrayal of events at Town Council meetings “appear to be accurate. The recording of the council meeting is available on the Town’s web site if there is a doubt.” http://sahuaritasun.com/articles/2009/04/07/news/00times408.txt
Three Town Council Candidates Present Innovative Ideas for
Sahuarita This publication is not available on line; however the following is a copy of my responses to the questions asked by the newspaper:
1. What is your vision for the future of the town? My vision for the future of Sahuarita is a united community where families can feel informed and safe, and have local employment and recreational activities. My vision is a transparent government that demonstrates fiscal responsibility by having a long-term financial plan that is not dependent on continued growth. Finally, I see a Town government that takes a proactive approach to protecting our local water environment and developing a smart strategy for land annexations.
2. How can your new ideas help facilitate this vision? Communication should be a priority. During the primary election, I canvassed many neighborhoods and I listened to the concerns of citizens. They noted the lack of communication between the Town and its residents, and that family programs are needed in our community as well as local economic development and jobs. I will work to open these lines of communication and strive to be responsive to the needs of families in our community.
It is important that the Council encourages the type of development that will play a critical role in the Town's economic future and put our skilled workers back to work. The Town must recognize that partnerships with private businesses are critical to our long-term success. Sahuarita's vision should include working closely with developers to find opportunities to address the challenges of growth.
I will also take a proactive approach in supporting of a regional sustainable water supply. Contamination, depletion and subsidence are three dangers that result from the water tables falling. To avoid risking our homes' future property values, the Town should have input into regional sustainable water efforts to protect the interest of its citizens.
3. How are your ideas going to help the town change? A more transparent government and better communication with the citizens of Sahuarita will ensure a greater participation in the issues and better solutions to our problems. Sahuarita is a great place to live, but also we must be open to new ideas. We should not fear change, but carefully manage it instead. My ideas encourage changes that improve the quality of our lives and the community we live in.
Although Sahuarita’s current budget plans are tied to continued growth, it's not realistic to expect growth to be sustainable in our current economy. We should be cautious about taking on more debt or increasing the tax burden on our citizens. If some services must be reduced public safety must remain our priority. I would like to see the Council providing economic development incentives to those who would help our citizens by increasing the quality of their lives and their home values.
4. Do you believe, looking at the current growth of the town, that the town will grow enough to support new businesses? The current growth in the Town has slowed, but it has never stopped. Now is the time for the Town Council to adopt proactive policies that attract and support new businesses in our community. by electing the right leadership, the Town can grow to be more business friendly. By serving on the Town of Sahuarita Economic Development Commission, I have learned about many opportunities that are available to our Town that can ensure our economic future. But the council has to decide to take advantage of those opportunities if Sahuarita is to become economically sustainable.
5. What innovative changes would you like to see within the town if you are elected? I will work to create more family-oriented programs in our Town. Serving on the boards of the Community Foundation, First Things First and the advisory board of the Community Food Bank, I have become acutely aware of the need for family services in Sahuarita. State, County and Town budget cuts, decreases in business funds and rising unemployment have increased the financial stress on our community. It is critical that advocates for family services be supported by the Town Council. My agenda to enhance communication through outreach programs to our community will not only help families, but also unite our Town for the common good.
Committee with Rancho ties backs 3 candidates
Young voters stayed away from ballot box and our future is bright.” “I knocked on many doors, walked in several neighborhoods and made countless calls,” she said. “When meeting our residents, there was a strong sense that many felt disconnected from the process and uninformed. This must change.” http://www.sahuaritasun.com/articles/2009/03/17/breaking_news/01vote318.txt
Editorial: Young families stay away from ballot box Sahuarita is known for its growing number of young families, but unless things change rapidly those young homeowners; most of who live in Rancho Sahuarita' are going to have another reputation. And this one wouldn't be nearly as fun to share with your friends. Rancho Sahuarita, minus the retirement enclave of Rancho Resort, had the lowest voter turnout of the town's seven precincts in this month's primary council race. http://www.sahuaritasun.com/articles/2009/03/17/letters/04editorialballot.txt
Voting oddities: Sahuarita primary The old Chicago adage is, "Vote early, vote often," but sometimes the strategy may be to vote fewer times than you are allowed. Hundreds of Quail Creek voters voted only for Duane Blumberg even though Sahuarita voters were allowed to vote for as many as three Town Council candidates in the primary election for three open seats. http://www.sahuaritasun.com/articles/2009/03/17/breaking_news/02voteside318.txt Sahuarita, S. Tucson, Marana vote - Preliminary results show only four of 10 open council seats are filled By Brian J. Pedersen and Shelley Shelton ARIZONA DAILY STAR March 11, 2009 Voters in Marana, Sahuarita and South Tucson cast ballots Tuesday to elect 10 council members, but preliminary results indicate only four of those seats were officially filled. According to state law, candidates who appear on a majority of primary ballots in non-partisan elections are ... http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/mailstory-clickthru/283832.php Runoffs assured in Marana, Sahuarita, S. Tucson elections Citizen Staff Report March 11, 2009 Voters in Marana, Sahuarita and South Tucson cast ballots for municipal council members Tuesday in nonpartisan primary elections. To be elected in the primary, candidates must receive votes equal to more than 50 percent of the ballots cast. If all of the seats aren't filled, a runoff election w... http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/frontpage/111916.php No candidates win seat in primary; Gifford bounced The Sahuarita Sun March 11, 2009 None of the candidates for Town Council was elected in Tuesday's primary balloting, and so the top six vote-getters will run in the May 19 mail-in general election for three council seats. Duane Blumberg led with 1,380 votes out of 3,164 votes cast, less than the 50 percent necessary to win a seat outright. http://sahuaritasun.com/articles/2009/03/10/breaking_news/00election310.txt Primaries are Tuesday for 3 area town councils By Brian J. Pedersen ARIZONA DAILY STAR Monday March 9, 2009 In Sahuarita, incumbents Roger Minor and John J. Sullivan are being opposed by challengers Duane Blumberg, Kara Egbert, Rosanna Gabaldón, David "Gif" Gifford and Alex Jacome. Councilwoman Marty Moreno is not seeking re-election. Sahuarita's election is done completely by mail-in ballots. Ballots must be turned in to the Sahuarita Town Clerk's office or the Pima County Recorder's Office by 7 p.m. Tuesday. http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/mailstory-clickthru/283462.php
Council primary vote goes down to the wire By Philip Franchine, www.SahuaritaSun.com Published: Wednesday, March 4, 2009 3:18 PM MST With just about a week left before the Town Council primary election, 2,676 ballots have been cast, for a 24 percent turnout out of 11,198 ballots that were mailed to registered voters. http://sahuaritasun.com/articles/2009/03/04/news/03primaryvote.txt
Mail-in election turnout nears 20 percent By Philip Franchine Published: Tuesday, February 24, 2009 4:19 PM MST The Sahuarita Sun The Sahuarita Sun Almost 20 percent of registered town voters have cast ballots about halfway into the Town Council primary election, which closes in less than two weeks. http://sahuaritasun.com/articles/2009/02/24/news/00vote0225.txt
Partisanship, unions crashing Sahuarita electionBy Philip Franchine Published: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 4:34 PM MST Sahuarita Sunhttp://sahuaritasun.com/articles/2009/02/10/news/001acouncil.txt
Candidate hopefuls clash at forumBy
Philip Franchine Published: Thursday, February 5, 2009 5:17 PM
MST
Sahuarita Sun Seven candidates for Town Council disagreed sharply at a forum Wednesday on whether the council has been responsive to residents on the proposed Sahuarita Road underpass and on economic development. About 100 people attended the evening forum at the school district auditorium. The forum, the only one scheduled this election, was sponsored by the Green Valley Firefighters Association and Sahuarita Police Officers Association and was moderated by KOLD-TV reporter Bud Foster.
Tucson Region Communication hot topic at Sahuarita forumBy Brian J. PedersenArizona Daily Star Tucson, Arizona | Published: 02.06.2009What Sahuarita has here is a failure to communicate. So said a few of the candidates running for the Town Council during a forum Wednesday night in the Sahuarita Unified School District auditorium. . . . Rosanna Gabaldón said. "Our citizens must feel safe, and they must know that when they pick up that phone and dial 911, they're going to get a response." http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/mailstory-clickthru/279115.php Sahuarita Town Council candidate profilesPublished: Tuesday, February 3, 2009 7:49 PM MSThttp://www.sahuaritasun.com/articles/2009/02/04/news/00candidates.txt 1. State what you would bring to the Town Council, including your background and qualifications. Raised in a military home gave me the opportunity to experience life in different places like Michigan, the Philippines, Japan, and Panama. Arizona has been my home since the 1970’s and I am proud to be a member of the Sahuarita community. As a teenage I supported myself by working full time and that taught me the value of being responsible and self sufficient. I learned much through raising a family and being part of our community. My experiences have taught me that our families and our children are the core of our community and that leadership comes from listening to their concerns. Today my son is in College, and I have the time to commit myself full-time to the issues facing Town Council. My experience on the Town’s Economic Development Commission and on the Town’s Parks & Recreation Commission has sharpened my knowledge of Sahuarita and its growing needs. My experience with First Things First has enlightened me to the lack of family services in our community. As a citizen of this Town I am an advocate for more family services and supporting local jobs.
2. What should
the town do to deal with declining revenues? Sahuarita’s current budget plans are tied to continued growth. However, we cannot expect growth to be sustainable in our current economy. We should be cautious about debt or increasing the tax burden on our citizens. The council will face some difficult decisions regarding Town services, some services may be drawn back. I would like to see the council providing economic development incentives to those who would help our citizens.
3. What guidelines would you use in evaluating requests for development incentives?
4. How would you evaluate the need for the proposed Sahuarita Road underpass at the school campus? Who should pay for it?
5. What other important issues face the town and how would you deal with them? Sahuarita should take a more proactive approach in support of a regional sustainable water supply. Contamination, depletion and subsidence are three dangers that result from the water tables falling. It will impact this community and put at risk the future property values of our homes. The Town should have input in regional sustainable water efforts; the fact that the Town is not a water utility does not relieve it from protecting the interest of its citizens and having input in the regional solutions. Sahuarita should be viewed as a business friendly Town. I would encourage Town staff to work more closely with the local business community. The maze of rules and regulations should be understood and every effort should be taken to listen to the business concerns. Sahuarita should work more closely with the County and the Green Valley area. We all part of a greater community, and we are connected and interdependent on each other. I would support more joint efforts such as community food gardens and recreational activities.
The Power of a Vote Published: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 Editor: Sahuarita citizens, it is election time in our hometown, and we have been asked to select three council members who will serve on the Town council for the next four years. The power of the ballot should not be underestimated and I encourage you to make an effort to get to know your candidates and vote. To those who live here and are not registered, I urge you to register locally, your opinion and your participation matters. Sahuarita voters can accomplish much by voting in large numbers; together lets demonstrate that this town is a voting community that counts. Primary ballots will be mailed out in early February, and while you may have until March 10 to turn them in, don’t leave it for the last minute. Rosanna Gabaldón Sahuarita
The writer is a council candidate.
What freedom means to me Published: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:01 PM MST Anza Trail School winners for their essays: (from left) Sahuarita Elks Lodge #2851 charter member Rosanna Gabaldón; sixth grader Sierra Gobert (third place winner) seventh grader Colleen Lee (third place winner); seventh grader Jordan Chandler (second place); and eighth grader Dante Enriquez (first place winner.)
http://www.gvnews.com/articles/2009/01/14/news/news07.txt Candidates stake out positions Seven residents are vying for three seats on Sahuarita Town council By Ernesto Portillo Jr. ARIZONA DAILY STAR Gabaldón, 48, has not been elected to political office. She is a member of the South Pima Regional Partnership Council, director of the Greater Green Valley Community Foundation and serves on the town's Parks and Recreation Commission. She said making life better for families will be her priority as the town grapples with a slow economy. "I have the time and energy to be a strong voice and an effective leader representing the citizens of our community," she said. http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/mailstory-clickthru/272742.php
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