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SIERRA VISTA — In the legislative District 25 contest for two state representative seats, four candidates will draw a bye in the Sept. 2 primary election.
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The candidates are Richard “Ric” Boyer, D-Hereford; Timathy Davies, R-Marana; Patricia “Pat” Fleming, D-Sierra Vista; and David Stevens, R-Sierra Vista.
District 25’s current representatives are Manny Alvarez, D-Elfrida, and Jennifer Burns, R-Marana. Both are completing their third consecutive terms.
Alvarez has shifted to the Senate contest, hoping to fill the void left by termed-out Willcox Democrat Marsha Arzberger.
Burns is creating somewhat of a similar vacuum in District 25. She said her energies in this political season are being spent working on the congressional campaign of her friend and District 30 colleague, Senate President Tim Bee.
However, “It’s not the only reason” she is not seeking her fourth and final term.
For someone with several advanced college degrees, including a law degree, she has sacrificed during the past six years making a living on the state legislator’s annual salary of $24,000. Even though legislators are reimbursed for gas mileage to make a weekly trip to the Capitol, she spends a lot of cash out of her own pocket to drive around the district, which covers all of Cochise County except for Sierra Vista and covers a huge swath of southern Santa Cruz County beyond Nogales. It also loops up to northern Tucson in Pima County.
“I can make a bigger difference from outside than inside,” Burns said, commenting on her shift to activities that include working behind the scenes with the Bee campaign.
Despite the political bickering in Phoenix that has frequently frustrated her, Burns has received satisfaction at the district level.
She said one of the mayors in Cochise County flattered her recently by commenting that he thought she was a local resident because she was so involved in the community.
The lifelong Marana resident said she hopes the District 25 legislators who are elected in November will be as involved in the communities as she has been.
To gauge the passion and pragmatism of the four representative candidates in District 25, each was asked this question: Should you compromise or stick to your guns on important issues?
“This depends on two things,” Boyer said.
“First, whether it is an issue in my personal life or is it an issue faced in a official position representing another’s interest, and second, whether it is an issue involving what I believe is a universal principle, like habeas corpus, due process and basic freedoms.
“The latter are ‘stick to my guns issues’ from both a personal and an official perspective,” Boyer continued.
“At the compromise end of the issue-continuum are on the personal level the practical issues, like negotiating with my employer for a pay-raise, or in an official capacity ‘line-drawing’ issues like how much money a program should get. The most difficult issues are those ‘stick to my guns’ issues in my personal life but require compromise in the best interest of a group that I might be representing like my employer, when I was president of a small university or being a legislator representing my constituents. I believe the latter ability to compromise is an essential skill to be an effective legislator.”
Davies answered the question with a brief written response, “All debate is welcomed.”
During a recent conversation with the Herald/Review, Davies said he has been interested in politics all of his life.
He said he reads the newspapers, watches news on television and is constantly commenting about issues to his co-workers at Asarco.
When he read in the newspaper that the representative jobs in District 25 were up for grabs, he decided to go for it.
His basic platform is “common sense,” particularly in the area of controlling spending.
Fleming answered, “I will always put the best interests of Arizona and Arizonans first, with careful, considerate analysis of policies and issues.
“As a representative, I will seek counsel and opinion from subject matter experts, to include my constituents,” she continued.
“I look forward to the opportunity to work with our governor and the other legislators. I will ‘stick to my guns’ when it comes to my core values, and I will compromise as necessary to serve the greater need of our families and communities.”
Stevens commented, “Alexander Hamilton said: ‘Those who stand for nothing fall for everything.’ We have had too many of these type of representatives in the past. This is the main reason for the budget problems … and no real solutions. Can you name one problem that the state has the responsibility to act on and solved the situation?
“Nothing ever seems to get fixed, and there is never enough money,” he continued.
“There are a lot of good ideas for solving our problems. We need people who are not afraid of doing the right thing. I will have an open door policy at the Capitol and listen to concerns and issues the people in District 25.”
Richard ‘Ric’ Boyer
State House, District 25 candidate
Democrat
• age: 63
• Residence: Hereford
• How long have you lived in the area: Eight years
• family: Wife, Kathy. Daughter, Holly Bajar of California. Son, Matthew Boyer of New Hampshire.
• Education/military: Four years active with U.S. Army, honorably discharged as a captain. Received bachelor’s degree, business administration, from the University of Nebraska. Received juris doctor (law degree) from the University of Maine.
• Employment history: Professor for Wayland Baptist University. Teaches online.
• Community affiliations: Military Officers Association of America, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, American Bar Association, New Hampshire Bar Association, U.S. Supreme Court Bar.
• Previous offices held: Bisbee city magistrate, presiding, 2003-06. Cochise County Superior Court appearance master, 2004-06. Three-term New Hampshire state senator, 1981-86. One-term New Hampshire state representative, 1979-1980. Chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, 1981-83.
• how to contact: Visit arizonansforboyer.com. Send e-mail to boyer08@gmail.com. Call 227-0905. Write to P.O. Box 908, Hereford AZ 85615.
In what areas do you believe the state government should place its spending priorities?
Given this year’s record deficit, the first priority needs to be balancing the budget. To do this, the state needs to change its approach to spending, which would involve tax reform on the revenue side and revision of the budget process on the spending side as follows:
A). Five-year budget — adopting a five-year budget along with the current five-year budget, which should help avoid future deficits.
B). Revenue — A function of spending should be revenue; hence, comprehensive tax reform is needed for more equitable and reliable income sources reflective of a 21st century economy. For example, the level of state and local property taxes while perhaps appropriate in the eastern states where the property taxes evolved, does not work in Arizona where about 80 percent of the land being owned by government is not subject to being taxed.
C). Two-tier spending — the expense side of the budget should be broken down into two subdivisions: necessary (including mandated/essential expenses), like police protection, and then discretionary expenses. After necessary expenses are matched up with revenue, then to the extent revenue exceeds these expenses the Legislature could decide on discretionary expenses matched by revenue surpluses there may be.
What are your views on education and the state government’s role in supporting that?
As a person who has benefitted from public education (public schools, land-grant university and law school, student loans, scholarships and GI bill) and who now is a university professor, I believe:
A). Education needs to continue to be a priority in state government.
B). With the failures of No Child Left Behind, the federal government needs to step back reducing its role to a limited number of constitutionally-required public policy issues like prohibiting discrimination, but continuing to promote education with proven programs like the GI bill, student loans and university research grants
C). State need to resume its paramount role in promoting education, which is more important than ever in what is becoming a “knowledge-based” economy.
D). At the same time, the state needs to support the role of the local school boards and limit itself to establishing broad principles and goals (curriculum, standardized testing, graduation standards, parity in public funding, etc.), leaving the application and implementation to the local board as it sees best.
E). Specifically, as stated in my palm card, “Arizona needs to move to the head the class” in public education by improving curriculum, reducing class sizes and increasing teacher pay.In terms of the state government’s responsibility and authority, what are your views on the U.S.-Mexico border and immigration?
Arizona, in recognition of sharing one of the largest segments of border with Mexico, needs to have balanced public policy regarding border and immigration issues tailored to the state’s unique situation and needs.
This geographic reality is not going to change, and the political realities, like U.S. immigration policy, homeland security, North American Free Trade Agreement and other situations will be slow in changing.
Arizona, therefore, to the extent possible, should leave the negatives to the federal government continuing to pressure the federal government to fulfill its enforcement responsibilities regarding the U.S. Border Patrol, illegal crossings, employer sanctions, etc., and financial responsibilities (i.e., reimbursing Arizona for it costs related to illegal immigration, like health care, etc.) and capitalize on the positives promoting trade and good neighbor relations by passing legislation that, unfortunately, failed in the last legislative session.
HB2526 would have established regional port authorities to stimulate trade and promote security in the four border regions of the state and the establishment of a temporary workers permit program, in recognition of Arizona’s having a substantial segment of agriculture, which is dependent on immigrant workers from Mexico.
Water scarcity and growth ... what are your views on this?
Water scarcity by itself, aside from the impact of growth, is a real issue in Arizona, and the state needs to lead the way in continuing to adopt and implement policies to conserve and protect this essential resource statewide for all Arizonans.
Regardless on the impact of growth, the state needs to develop a comprehensive water plan taking into account the impact of managed sustainable growth for the near term, five to 10 years out, and the long term, 25-100 years.
Aside from and parallel with water policies, the state needs to pursue policies promoting managed and sustainable growth, which would include:
A). Energy conservation — such as reducing Arizona’s use of fossil fuels beginning with mandates for reductions in use of state and local government vehicles and reducing speed limits from 75 to 65, which is said to reduce consumption by something like 30 percent.
B). Arizona green — (1) promoting purchase and use of “green” products again with mandates to state and local government agencies, (2) implementing “green” friendly building and construction practices and standards in the construction of state and local government buildings and (3) enabling and encouraging local governments to adopt “green friendly” building codes and zoning ordinances.
C). Water conservation — In addition to adopting a statewide water plan as discussed earlier, the state should promote and mandate conservative use of water beginning with mandates to state and local government agencies.
Timathy Davies
State House, District 25 candidate
Republican
• age: 33
• Residence: Marana
• How long have you lived in the area: 1975
• family: None listed
• Education/military: High school graduate
• Employment history: Asarco employee
• Community affiliations: Shriners, National Rifle Association, homeowners association.
• Previous offices held: None.
• how to contact: Send e-mail to ted368@hotmail.com. Call (520) 407-2135.
In what areas do you believe the state government should place its spending priorities?
1. Law enforcement.
2. Health care.
3. Border enforcement.
What are your views on education and the state government’s role in supporting that?
I am in full support of vouchers.
In terms of the state government’s responsibility and authority, what are your views on the U.S.-Mexico border and immigration?
We need to build a wall.
Water scarcity and growth ... what are your views on this?
Local control is the best option.
Pat Fleming
State House, District 25 candidate
Democrat
• age: 59
• Residence: Sierra Vista
• How long have you lived in the area: Since 1969
• family: Husband, Bob. Five children.
• Education/military: Bachelor of arts, University of Phoenix, 1984.• Employment history: U.S. Army civilian employee, served as a budget and manpower allocation analyst.
• Community affiliations: Arizona Parents for Public Education (APPLE), Southwest Association of Buffalo Soldiers, AARP, National Association of Retired Federal Employees.
• Previous offices held: Immediate past chairwoman of the Cochise County Democratic Committee. Past president of the Greater Huachuca Area Democratic Club. Longtime precinct committeewoman. Member of the 2004 Democratic National Convention Platform Committee.
• how to contact: Call 378-4386. Send e-mail to fleming2008@gmail.com. Visit fleming2008.com.
In what areas do you believe the state government should place its spending priorities?
Education. By investing in a quality education system, we will prepare our children to work in high paying fields and attract businesses that need an educated work force.
Health care. All of us deserve access to quality, affordable medical care and prescription drugs at a cost that does not send families into poverty and bankruptcy. Funding programs like Health Care Group for our small businesses is an important step in the right direction.
Quality of life. Arizonans deserve policies that promote effective health and human services for all citizens, while protecting and sustaining our rural environment.
What are your views on education and the state government’s role in supporting that?
Education must be our state’s No. 1 priority, starting with preschool and kindergarten, continuing through college. Parents must have access to affordable preschool to give their children the early educational boost.
We can attract the best and the brightest teachers to Southern Arizona with increased salaries and benefits, funding for classroom materials and reducing class sizes. We also need to address non-teaching school staff.
We must maintain a first-rate, affordable university system, encourage more lower and middle class students to complete their degrees and provide aid for students of technological/vocational colleges.
In terms of the state government’s responsibility and authority, what are your views on the U.S.-Mexico border and immigration?
Until our federal government enacts and enforces comprehensive immigration reform, Southern Arizona will continue to see immigrants streaming across our border with Mexico.
In the meanwhile, our state government must do whatever it can to minimize border crimes, deaths and violence, and protect our communities, families and local businesses. We must focus our attention on the drug smugglers and human traffickers by improving the quality of our law enforcement and encouraging cooperation between the various agencies responsible for our safety.
Water scarcity and growth ... what are your views on this?
We need to be good stewards of our land, air, skies and water, all of which we depend on for our quality of life.
We need to limit groundwater pumping near rivers, while assuring our farms and ranches have the water they need. We can meet our agricultural needs at the same time we protect our riparian habitats with careful planning that includes a combination of smart growth and conservation. We must encourage homes and businesses to use water wisely and economically, which includes using water-efficient appliances and creating systems that catch gray water for uses other than human consumption.
David Stevens
State House, District 25 candidate
Republican
• age: Will turn 47 this month.
• Residence: Sierra Vista
• How long have you lived in the area: 1987
• family: Married for 23 years to Cindy, a nurse in Sierra Vista. Daughter, Lisa, 20, is attending Pima Community College. Son, Bryan, 17, just graduated from Buena High School and is attending Glendale Community College.
• Education/military: Bachelor of science, computer information systems. Served in the U.S. Army. Also served in the Army National Guard in Indiana and Arizona.
• Employment history: Currently working as a database administrator with Operation Iraqi Freedom at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. Formerly served as a firefighter with Fry Fire District.
• Community affiliations: Active with Boy Scouts of America. I am an Eagle Scout and have served as a Boy Scouts troop scoutmaster as well as a Cub Scouts Webelos leader. Also served as a Cub Scouts den leader and have been the unit and district fundraising chairman. Also volunteered in many other youth program, such as coaching baseball, softball, football and soccer.
• Previous offices held: Have served as chairman and first and second vice chairman of the Cochise County Republican Committee.
• how to contact: Send e-mail to davidstevens2008@cox.net.
In what areas do you believe the state government should place its spending priorities?
We must be prudent in spending the taxpayers’ money. Health, safety and education issues are always a priority in state government. Spending is one of the state government’s greatest feats.
With the general budget over $9 billion a year (with a deficit), and the governor having approximately $18 billion a year to fund all of the state of Arizoza, I would say the state’s current priority is to spend.
I will focus on reducing the amount of influence the state has in our lives.
You can rest assured I will NOT be a tax-and-spend legislator, and I will sign the No New Tax Pledge. I would like to see people keep more of their own money and let them determine how to spend it.
What are your views on education and the state government’s role in supporting that?
Educating our students is one of the most important issues facing Arizona today.
Strengthening our schools and improving the quality of education that our children receive is a top priority. The goal should be to improve student achievement ... let’s put kids first!
Ronald Reagan said, “As a nation, we are dedicated to excellence in education. It makes a better life for our children as individuals, and it further secures the liberty we cherish.” I agree with him.
The state currently spends approximately 60 percent of the general budget on education.
In terms of the state government’s responsibility and authority, what are your views on the U.S.-Mexico border and immigration?
It is the state’s responsibility to make sure the people of Arizona are safe and protected in their homes, property and in their daily lives. We have enacted a seat belt law, a child seat law and mandatory auto insurance, all in the name of safety Safety for all in the people in the car and all others on the road.
Imagine if we took this approach to the border.
National security and securing our borders go hand in hand. When the federal government fails in its responsibility to secure the border and protect the citizens, then it becomes the state’s responsibility to do so.Billions of dollars each year are spent on the aftermath of people illegally entering this country in health care, schools, the court system and damage done to the environment.
The solution would cost a lot less, and we could assure a steady flow of workers who come into this great country legally.
Water scarcity and growth ... what are your views on this?
I believe we need planned responsible growth.
There is a lot we can do to improve on conservation education. We, as individuals, can do much to save and conserve water. We should be addressing rainwater harvesting and storm water runoff. Why aren’t we putting projects on the ground so people can see what can be accomplished.
Tax credits could be implemented for water conservation projects.
Article 2, Section 2, of the Arizona Constitution states the purpose of government: “The purpose of government is to protect and maintain individual rights.”
I believe in protecting property and water rights. I also believe in protecting the customs, cultures and economic stability of the rural parts of our state.
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