Change is comming to Buckeye

We have lived in Buckeye for five years now and over that time; We have come to realize this town is in trouble. This trouble does not stem from the economy or the citizens who reside here. It is the town’s management and some of its elected officials.

Buckeye needs real change, which can only come from slowly changing the make-up of our town’s officials. With the upcoming election for district s 4, 5 and 6, residents will have the ability to begin the change process.

We recommend the citizens of this town make sure they VOTE. Through my research and conversations with the newer candidates, I have concluded there is new blood in the ranks who seem to have vision, experience, ethics, morals and who are not part of the old network.

In District 4, We favor Raymond Strauss who is a Senior Pastor for The Church of Sun Valley and a father of three children. During my conversation with him, I found that he is a person of high morals, and very committed. This type of character is just what the council needs.

In District 5, We are extremely impressed with Larry Miller. He brings years of financial experience to the council, which is not present today. He is a CPA and has experience as a Municipal Auditor.

Now for District 6: This was a tough one to call because of the recent press involving Councilman Rioux. However, candidate Osborn would be a developer by day and a councilperson by night, in addition to the Mayor grooming him for over a year concerned me. Therefore, we recommend Rioux because his record as a councilperson clearly demonstrates he has nothing but good intentions for this town. Buckeye do not be emotional, Vote Rioux!

Out of touch and still reluctant to be in touch

We have been contacted by business owners who do business in town along Monroe about the Council approving yet another brilliant idea that will ultimately have a negative financial impact on these businesses. The Council approved with six Aye's and one Nay (Councilman Garza) to turn the downtown in to a East/West bound single lane road. In addition the road will be re-striped and paved.

The business owners of downtown are furious because the town did not have the common decency to even include them on the decision process. As usual it was full steam ahead without any concern for the businesses and how it make affect their everyday business.

Sources tell us that if the town does not reverse their decision, this could very well end up as a legal battle. I am sure if this would be the case the town would not fair very well since, they never contacted businesses to notify them of such nor allowed them to participate in any forums.

It is predicted the proposed changes to Monroe would be just like Western Ave. in Avondale which is now a ghost town or something like Fremont St. in Tombstone which has no businesses like Monroe.

We fully support the downtown businesses and will assist them in any way we can to insure their businesses will thrive not die!.

WAITING AND READY TO LISTEN!

As a follow up to the previous from August 25, 2009 regarding the planned QT Truck Stop for Miller Rd. Below you will see a picture of the proposed plan to build out a 2nd motel (Best Western), Mexican Restaurant and the QT Truck Stop.Below is an up date:

All 6 council men and women have been contacted by e-mail and phone with the following reasonable request:

"Hope that this e-mail finds you well and in good spirits as the summer is coming to and end pretty soon. The reason form y communication is to ask what your position is regarding the proposed "Quick Trip Truck Stop" that is being planned and submitted for approvals of the Town. Please see attached a copy of a draft of a traffic study by the developer. My questions for you are the following:

1. How will this project affect the communities on Miller Road?

2. How does this project fall in harmony with the work the We Are Buckeye People just completed? How does it fall in harmony with the 5 year strategic plan for the Town?

As a town representative we would like to know your opinion on this matter and would appreciate your response."

As of Saturday, September 5, 2009, Only one has responded the question, one other said he needed more time and all the rest have not been heard form.

The following is the current summary on the response form our Town representatives:

Brian McAchran, District 1- Responded!! Thank YOU!!!

To answer your questions, at this time, I have no position on the proposed “Quick Trip”. The project is being dealt with by town staff, which I have complete faith in. If, or when, the project is approved by town staff, the project will then be presented to the development board for its approval. During the presentation to the development board, there will be a public hearing for input of concerns, and the developer will be in attendance to answer questions/concerns about the project. If, or when, the project is approved by the development board, the project will be presented to the Buckeye Town Council. During this presentation, there will be another public hearing for input of concerns, and again, the developer will be in attendance to answer questions. At this time, with all the information in place, the council will approve, or disapprove of the project.

At this time, the project is in its infancy and it would not be prudent for me to form a position on the project prior to the final form being known.

With that said, my only position with this project, along with any other project on North Miller Road, is traffic issues. These are issues that Buckeye has been working on for some time and there are several solutions being realized.

Robert Garza, District 2 - No response (AWOL)

Elaine May, District 3 - Against! (Firm!) -
"This is the time to call and complain against this project!"

David Hardesty, District 4 - No response (AWOL)

Robert Doster, District 5 - No Response (AWOL)

Dave Rioux, District 6 - No response (AWOL)

We thank Vice Mayor May!
Thank you Brian McAchran!
We Thank them for their availability and willingness to interact
and discuss the concerns brought before them.

Thank you for serving the residents of the Town of Buckeye!

We will continue to wait and wait and wait for their responses but as you can see, we don't have a very responsive group of leaders. Our Towns "public servants" are out some where...hope they are doing OK!

Elections have consequences.

Do something! Get Involved!

Go to the Town's web site and fill out the community complaint form and let your voice be heard or call your council representative and let them know what you want!

Tell them in a very simple and clear way:

"We do not want another truck stop!!!!"

Jorge Buckeye Citizen
jfcfabb@gmail.com