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Bambi
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Posted: Tue Apr 29th, 2008 02:16 pm |
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THEWORKER wrote: It was written below:
Sorry aj, but you and I are on different channels. Every government has a treasury department, holding the revenue that is brought into the government. Cut spending? Unless we have revenue, we have nothing to spend. We don't have the funds to spend on necessary infrastructure even today. So, once the revenue pours in, we will use discretionary spending out of that Treasury. Capece?
so why is it that the treasury department in Pinal county seems to be wherever there is a desk. The County government is the largest employer in this county. There are more checking accounts out there then you can count. as evidenced by the latest scandal in the Fair grounds just last week they made mention of "open safes", "no oversight", "no records", "missing funds" (read Pinal blah, blah, blah, and a yada too !) Our taxes are some of the highest in the state, these creatures that have been robbing us for years seem to think that they can create new departments like "health clinics" etc while they abscound with transportation monies and> This guy Martyns site seems to say it is the businesses that need to pay more on his website as if they were not already caring their weight. What we need is LESS GOVERNEMNT, LESS SPENDING, AND A REDUCTION IN NEPOTISM THAT HAS BEEN BREEDING HERE. There are competent people that care in the county but the leadership is pathetic and seems to be some people that will elect by jumping on the "new rock stars bandwagon" (reads this guy Martyn that looks to keep the old sweetheart deals going) might as well be voting for Obama and "CHANGE "
You're doing what many and myself included, do so often on here, and that is speculate and embellish.....T.Dept. at every desk.
Come on now. What other person do you want to put in office. There are others running. You should vote for at least one of them. IS it the lesser of the evils case again?
Leadership is pathetic. Yes. That's why we're considering placing a "proven leader" into the main position. One that is out in the public today, and one that has been trained to lead and be held accountable for his leadership abilities..
If one of the others is thinking about running, they have only 4 months till election. They best hustle. If I see a "messiah" running that exceeds Bryan's capabilities and can prove it, then I switch. But he/she better have some strengths to brag about. I'm not "locked" into anyone on this journey of discovery. I am promoting Bryan because at this juncture, he is the most qualified for the position, and that's the only thing I, as a citizen, have to go on today. That's why the events to find out more about each candidate, are so critical for us to attend.
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THEWORKER
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Posted: Tue Apr 29th, 2008 01:03 pm |
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It was written below:
Sorry aj, but you and I are on different channels. Every government has a treasury department, holding the revenue that is brought into the government. Cut spending? Unless we have revenue, we have nothing to spend. We don't have the funds to spend on necessary infrastructure even today. So, once the revenue pours in, we will use discretionary spending out of that Treasury. Capece?
so why is it that the treasury department in Pinal county seems to be wherever there is a desk. The County governemnt is the largest employer in this county. There are more checking accounts out there then you can count. as evidenced by the latest scandal in the Fair grounds just last week they made mention of "open safes", "no oversight", "no records", "missing funds" (read Pinal blah, blah, blah, and a yada too !) Our taxes are some of the highest in the state, these creatures that have been robbing us for years seem to think that they can create new departments like "health clinics" etc while they abscound with transportation monies and> This guy Martyns site seems to say it is the businesses that need to pay more on his website as if they were not already caring their weight. What we need is LESS GOVERNEMNT, LESS SPENDING, AND A REDUCTION IN NEPOTISM THAT HAS BEEN BREEDING HERE. There are competent people that care in the county but the leadership is pathetic and seems to be some people that will elect by jumping on the "new rock stars bandwagon" (reads this guy Martyn that looks to keep the old sweetheart deals going) might as well be voting for Obama and "CHANGE "
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anne.reed
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Posted: Tue Apr 29th, 2008 07:36 am |
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ajBookchin wrote:
anne.reed wrote: Dear AJ:
I'm sure you know that the bulk of the taxes Pinal County collects are only redistributed to other agencies and entities. Most to schools. About 1/3 of your property taxes remain in the County. Unlike private enterprise, County spending is constrained to what has previously been budgeted and various funds are established to insure collections are apportioned correctly to approved and budgeted expenditures.
Todays great plan can not be implemented until it is proposed, approved, studied, (including public input), cost analyzed, reproposed, approved, budgeted, funded, and finally comes to pass. These safeguards are put in place to protect us, County residents, from abuse by our representatives.
Pinal is not the only County that is subject to these constraints. Didn't you ever notice that by the time a road gets widened it's already too narrow for the existing conditions? It's always several years before the best ideas can be realized by governmental bodies.
Regards,
Anne
Ms. Reed and History_101,
Yes, yes - I know all this...
I know that the county collects taxes on behalf of other organizations - doesn't change the fact that our county spends too much. I do not know about most citizens, but I do not look at my tax bill, I look at spending - I would prefer to see county government spend much less. We need to return county government to basic services - let individual municipalities meet the needs of citizens.
I also know about the government process - I am an involved citizen, I know government decision making can be a very arduous process. But it does not need to be this way.
And I recognize that Pinal is not the only county subject to these constraints, but...
You do understand that Counties are totally responsible for major arterial roadways, the roads are designed, they are in the process of being built, but the County needs the funds to pay for the work they've got ready to go after two years in plan review. This years good ideas are miles down the poke.
There's a good chance that GSTSAC will be able to cut through somne of the red taps. We shall see?
Regards,
Anne
Sadly, we need accountability from all taxing bodies.
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ajBookchin
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Posted: Tue Apr 29th, 2008 03:58 am |
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anne.reed wrote: Dear AJ:
I'm sure you know that the bulk of the taxes Pinal County collects are only redistributed to other agencies and entities. Most to schools. About 1/3 of your property taxes remain in the County. Unlike private enterprise, County spending is constrained to what has previously been budgeted and various funds are established to insure collections are apportioned correctly to approved and budgeted expenditures.
Todays great plan can not be implemented until it is proposed, approved, studied, (including public input), cost analyzed, reproposed, approved, budgeted, funded, and finally comes to pass. These safeguards are put in place to protect us, County residents, from abuse by our representatives.
Pinal is not the only County that is subject to these constraints. Didn't you ever notice that by the time a road gets widened it's already too narrow for the existing conditions? It's always several years before the best ideas can be realized by governmental bodies.
Regards,
Anne
Ms. Reed and History_101,
Yes, yes - I know all this...
I know that the county collects taxes on behalf of other organizations - doesn't change the fact that our county spends too much. I do not know about most citizens, but I do not look at my tax bill, I look at spending - I would prefer to see county government spend much less. We need to return county government to basic services - let individual municipalities meet the needs of citizens.
I also know about the government process - I am an involved citizen, I know government decision making can be a very arduous process. But it does not need to be this way.
And I recognize that Pinal is not the only county subject to these constraints, but...
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anne.reed
Member
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Posted: Tue Apr 29th, 2008 12:04 am |
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Thanks History! You are awesome...
Regards,
Anne
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History_101
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Posted: Tue Apr 29th, 2008 12:00 am |
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Where do your taxes go?
http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/NewsInformation/Documents/TaxDollars.pdf
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anne.reed
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Posted: Mon Apr 28th, 2008 11:38 pm |
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Dear AJ:
I'm sure you know that the bulk of the taxes Pinal County collects are only redistributed to other agencies and entities. Most to schools. About 1/3 of your property taxes remain in the County. Unlike private enterprise, County spending is constrained to what has previously been budgeted and various funds are established to insure collections are apportioned correctly to approved and budgeted expenditures.
Todays great plan can not be implemented until it is proposed, approved, studied, (including public input), cost analyzed, reproposed, approved, budgeted, funded, and finally comes to pass. These safeguards are put in place to protect us, County residents, from abuse by our representatives.
Pinal is not the only County that is subject to these constraints. Didn't you ever notice that by the time a road gets widened it's already too narrow for the existing conditions? It's always several years before the best ideas can be realized by governmental bodies.
Regards,
Anne
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Bambi
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Posted: Mon Apr 28th, 2008 11:23 pm |
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ajBookchin wrote: Bambi wrote: ...Unless we have revenue, we have nothing to spend...
How can they not have revenue???
The county cashed the last check I gave them a little over a week ago for the second half of my 2007 property taxes.
You're right aj.
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ajBookchin
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Posted: Mon Apr 28th, 2008 11:18 pm |
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Bambi wrote: ...Unless we have revenue, we have nothing to spend...
How can they not have revenue???
The county cashed the last check I gave them a little over a week ago for the second half of my 2007 property taxes.
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Bambi
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Posted: Mon Apr 28th, 2008 09:26 pm |
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| Sorry aj, but you and I are on different channels. Every government has a treasury department, holding the revenue that is brought into the government. Cut spending? Unless we have revenue, we have nothing to spend. We don't have the funds to spend on necessary infrastructure even today. So, once the revenue pours in, we will use discretionary spending out of that Treasury. Capece?
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ajBookchin
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Posted: Mon Apr 28th, 2008 08:13 pm |
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Bambi wrote: ajBookchin wrote: Bambi wrote: ...to fill our coffers with money again...
How much more do "our coffers" need???
The goal of the next supervisor should be to drastically cut spending - the county needs no more funding.
Definition of Coffers: Treasurey. A place where stores of wealth are kept. Strongbox. Ours are empty. We are millions in the hole...red.
Bambi - You're killing me here!!!
I really hope you are misrepresenting Bryan - in either case, your statement has propelled me to dump my Republican registration! I do not need republicans who believe that the government's wealth is inadequate. The notion that county government should be storing our wealth???
What do you think my strongbox looks like as a result of government run amok??? High taxes, rampant inflation - notably in the form of food prices due to the governments "wisdom" to promote ethanol... I do not know about your strong box, but my strong box soon will not hold much value for storing my wealth because it will be non-existent - or better yet (sarcasm) from your perspective as I'm reading it - in the county's strongbox.
I understand the county is millions in the hole - rather than spend my wealth and the wealth of my neighbors - they should CUT spending.
If you want to help fill-up the county's strongbox, I'm sure they'll take a check - you can let the county have as much of your wealth as you would like!!!
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Bambi
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Posted: Mon Apr 28th, 2008 06:50 pm |
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ajBookchin wrote: Bambi wrote: ...to fill our coffers with money again...
How much more do "our coffers" need???
The goal of the next supervisor should be to drastically cut spending - the county needs no more funding.
Definition of Coffers: Treasurey. A place where stores of wealth are kept. Strongbox. Ours are empty. We are millions in the hole...red.
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ajBookchin
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Posted: Mon Apr 28th, 2008 06:38 pm |
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Bambi wrote: ...to fill our coffers with money again...
How much more do "our coffers" need???
The goal of the next supervisor should be to drastically cut spending - the county needs no more funding.
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Bambi
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Posted: Mon Apr 28th, 2008 02:07 pm |
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Starstruck you say? Ask Bryan. It took him some time to woo me over. I don't experience that sensation anymore.....starstruck. Impressed? Yes. I was impressed. Not with just his knowledge, but mostly his leadership abilities.
It's easy to use adjectives and metaphors to describe someone. But, let's get down to it, and tell us just what it is that is bothering you about Bryan. Idiot is better to have leading us than a snake? Can you pull yourself out of cartoon land just long enough to speak English to me?]
Todd has stated he is not going to give Gordon Brown an inch. Meaning Gordon is going to be forbidden to enter Florence? You can't stop that from happening, and God knows that's not the way to do it. That's number one reason I'm not voting for Todd....unrealistic goals, but the only one he is able to announce to me, that is specific, is that Gordon Brown and his group cannot enter "The Land of Oz."? What changes are you bringing Todd, to Oz? What programs? You're job. will you keep it? You want to have a county wide audit, to "catch" the bad guys that may or maynot exist. What is that going to do for us? Find money hidden away? No. Just will cause blame to be attached to someone. And look at all the money we spent for that audit, just to point fingers.
Pinal Partnership? I'm getting ready to join it. You may perceive it as a bunch of phonies getting together, to meet and greet. THat may be the case for some, but it is a place where partnerships between government is flowing with ideas and solutions. IS it perfect? No. Economic Development committee? We don't have one in Pinal County....one reason we are poor and out of control. When Bryan comes, that's one of his first jobs...to form one and bring us industry so we can sustain ourselves. So he should be expected to join those entities, so you don't have to. He represents you there. Alot of power resides in these entities, like it or not, that's just the way it is.
Move on without past fees? We'll let the people decide that. He must provide us with substantial reasons, that it is to our benefit.
He told me he wants to keep that Superstition V area.....at this point in time.
Your perception of Bryan is that he is full of himself. Meaning, you have not observed the man. Is he proud? Yep. Is he flashy? Nope. Is he arrogant? No. Does he dress spiffy? Yep. Just like every other military officer Ive met. Spiffy cars; spiffy clothes, always pressed; Great appearance; Just the way they were trained in the military. So, I see no harm in bringing that type of mentality to Florence. He'll just bring that to the staff; organization, training, and competency mentalities. Does that offend you? Does that challenge you? I appreciate his mentality and his personality. For the amount of work he has ahead of him, he''ll need alot of confidence and time to get that Florence county building functioning on the level it should be at.
We all have expectations of our leaders. One is that we expect him to be fair and unbiased. We don't want him to make mistakes; take us into financial distress; We have and should have high expectations. If Gordon is an obstacle in our county's abilities to carry out reforms and advancement of Pinal into the competitive world of attracting retail and industry, he will be ignored....just like all leaders do at their pleasure, once they are in power. They will stack the cards in favor of their mentality.
He knows the history of the BLC. He knows the history of Gordon and myself, at odds over bringing in retail and industry to the Hunt Corridor. Gordon said it in front of me and in front of Bryan last week. Bryan is pro development and pro industry and pro retail and pro anything that brings in revenue. Now. One of us (Gordon or me)is going to have to adapt, wouldn't you say, to stay in the good graces of Bryan Martyn. Nothing wrong with adapting....happens all the time.
So, with Bryan's promise to lower taxes; to bring in more retail and industry; to fill our coffers with money again; to represent us at Governmental "get togethers"; to increase the competency level of staff; to boost learning via inservice training; ....how can you not vote for that mentality? We're ready to hear the roar of the lion, and not the faint whispers of a mouse.
Let's get over Gordon's power in Florence. If it exists, it will end in January, when the new Super. takes office. Gordon is a walking encyclopedia. He knows more about government than you and I combined. You "use" that gift, not abuse it. I'm sure Bryan, once in office, will be able to detect any deviance from his objectives, on his "radar screen." He isn't going to let a citizen take over his responsiblitlities. He will not allow an enemy's camp to take precedence over his camp. The Hunt Corridor is safe in Bryans hands, trust me. show up at the Rally on the 7th of June, and see for yourself. Ask him.
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ajBookchin
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Posted: Mon Apr 28th, 2008 01:54 pm |
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THEWORKER wrote: ...He is in favor of giving the Superstition V area south of AJ to Mesa to let them incorporate it, thereby giving the split in Pinal County wider berth, the impact fees to Mesa and the shaft to Pinal County...
No, no, no - I hope this is not the case, but if there is any merit to this accusation, I must do everything I can to ensure Bryan is not elected.
I must also do what I can to push Apache Junction to extend our planning area south to Pecos Road - we can not allow Mesa to assume what is rightfully ours - this should have been done years ago if Mayor Coleman had not succumbed to Mayor Hawker's false assurances that Mesa would not jump the county line.
I agree that we need someone who is willing to negotiate and work with all parties, but sometimes you need to draw a line in the sand - this one at Meridian.
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THEWORKER
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Posted: Mon Apr 28th, 2008 11:48 am |
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tHIS IS ALL CRAPPO
Bryan Martin has said that the past fees not paid (read stolen) by the developers are "in the past" and we should just move on. He has failed to address the fact that there are 1000's of permits issued that there were no fees charged and yet a shovel has not turned. He is in favor of giving the Superstition V area south of AJ to Mesa to let them incorporate it, thereby giving the split in Pinal County wider berth, the impact fees to Mesa and the shaft to Pinal County. He is a member of the Pinal Partnership, the East Valley Partnership, Blah, Blah Blah........... Basmbi has been so so starstruck at working a potential Supv. that she has lost site that "we have met the enemy and they IS US !!!!!!. some of these blogs are pathetic, Todd House might be an idiot but that is better than a snake. Mary S. would just be a puppet for Pete Rios. Bryan cares only about Bryan and if you talk to him for more than 5 minutes you can watch him change in front of your eyes into whatever you want him to say or what he thinks you want to hear.........
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gk
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Posted: Mon Apr 28th, 2008 03:17 am |
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| Dale, at some point you guys need to loose your hate!
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dale
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Posted: Mon Apr 28th, 2008 01:51 am |
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Bambi,
You have some nice things to say about Bryan Martin. But how can you reconcile that with his cozy relationship with Gordon Brown? If we elect a supervisor who owes favors back to Gordon right at the start, aren't we back in the same mess we were in before?
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ajBookchin
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Posted: Sun Apr 27th, 2008 09:41 pm |
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Bambi wrote: Sorry ole boy. Nothing mentioned about the Iraq war. Bryan served in Afghanistan. I labeled it the middle east. inconsequential to this discussion, which is about Republicans setting sights on District 2., with use of metaphors.
Glad you served in the navy. Ever hear of Oberwerk Binoculars, with a range of 25/40X100mm., being used on your warships? or any warships for that matter?
I agree, any conflict in the middle east has little bearing on the election of our next county supervisor.
As for those binaculars... I really never had much use for such things in the engine room of a submarine.
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gk
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Posted: Sun Apr 27th, 2008 08:14 pm |
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I totally agree with you assessment Bambi..........we need to work with developers, and everyone alse for that matter. If they are included in the discussions we will be able to have more access to the things that we need.
Larry Miller has done a lot of good things for the area and I am sure will continue to do so.
Not so sure about Johnson though.........have not seen anything from him except criminal water charges to the people his utility serves
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Bambi
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Posted: Sun Apr 27th, 2008 05:41 pm |
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Sorry ole boy. Nothing mentioned about the Iraq war. Bryan served in Afghanistan. I labeled it the middle east. inconsequential to this discussion, which is about Republicans setting sights on District 2., with use of metaphors.
Glad you served in the navy. Ever hear of Oberwerk Binoculars, with a range of 25/40X100mm., being used on your warships? or any warships for that matter?
Last edited on Sun Apr 27th, 2008 05:42 pm by Bambi
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ajBookchin
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Posted: Sun Apr 27th, 2008 04:21 pm |
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Please do not drag the Iraq "war" into this discussion - I support our troops, I'm a veteran of the Navy - but that "war" does not represent American values.
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Bambi
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Posted: Sun Apr 27th, 2008 02:12 pm |
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I've checked out Bryan over several occassions....coffee, lunch, my home twice, meetings, etc. The man is a leader, so he is out in the "front" lines, "dealing" with everyone, that he will be dealing with during his term. He's not a politician (yet?), but a protector of our rights. Something he was trained to do in the Air Force.
I had an event at my home yesterday where Bryan was present. Showing up to speak to common folk. Is he now biased against developers, because he includes common folk at his event?
Developers? Cozy? I think not. He knows very few of them, and I intend on introducing him to some myself. He needs to know everything and everybody that impacts this county, both now and in the future. The intent is to be friendly, so we can get as much from them, free, as possible. They know that....and they are looking for as many breaks as possible. Win-Win. And, there are good developers and bad developers....he needs to know both. Will he allow himself to become "engaged" with them? Well, he has learned to "engage" the enemy to attain his goals in the Middle East, and still manage to stay an American, who did the right thing, in achieving his objective for his Country. He's not a MiddleEastern man now, so the influence of the enemy didn't cause him to desert his basic value system. His wife is allowed to drive a car anyway.
Plan on coming to a big Rally for him on June the 7th.....around 7p.m. More announcments in the future. Determine for yourself what he is all about. There will be common folk like u and me there, and developers, politicians, business owners, doctors, lawyers, all people he will be "dealing" with as he represents our needs. They need to find out what each one is all about. It's open for all to attend. Judge for yourselves. There is no pandering going on that I can see. We need industry, and developers bring it to us, so one has to become "engaged." Don't worry; his character is not that of Stan Griffiths. Can he become a Stan? Anyone can become what they want to become, if they have the desire. I can't imagine Bryan, who is now a consultant for Special Forces for our Country, would give all that up for a trist with some developer. He's much smarter than that.
Last edited on Sun Apr 27th, 2008 02:17 pm by Bambi
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ajBookchin
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Posted: Sun Apr 27th, 2008 04:48 am |
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In her time on the Board of Supervisors, Smith has guided explosive growth in the district.
guided???
guided???
Smith’s has overseen both the prosperity and the problems in District 2
overseen???
overseen???
Smith's has??? Isn't there an editor to proof these stories???
If Martin is already getting cozy with the developers...
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QCVillager
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Posted: Sat Apr 26th, 2008 02:50 pm |
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Republicans set sights on Pinal District 2
Hopefuls vie to replace longtime Supervisor Smith
By JASON MASSAD TRIBUNE CONTACT WRITER: (480) 898-6842 or jmassad@evtrib.com
Candidates Republican candidates who have declared for the seat:
• Todd House, Robert Leitz, Bryan Martyn, John Shields
Democrats:
• Mary Shope, David Silvas
Independent:
• Elliot Fisher
Bryan Martyn confidently pulls his shoulders back. He offers a firm handshake. He sports a square jawline.
But he’s not wooden. He puts a casual hand in the pocket of his suit in a picture on his Web site, and he’ll toss out a “hey man” in a conversation to make you feel like you’re chatting with a friend.
The word around Pinal County Republican circles is that the charismatic Martyn, a retired Army helicopter pilot, is the front-runner to win the Sept. 2 GOP primary for Pinal’s District 2 supervisor — and take the general election Nov. 4.
Martyn seeks to replace Sandie Smith, a commanding Democratic figure who has held the seat for 16 years and who some say is helping Martyn in his bid.
In her time on the Board of Supervisors, Smith has guided explosive growth in the district. The position has evolved to the power spot on the board, where each of the three supervisors has the ultimate sway over issues in his or her district.
District 2’s power and influence are rooted in the area’s growth. An example of that growth can be found in the Florence Unified School District, which covers a slice of the booming suburbia in District 2. The school district has grown from $9.7 million in property values to $237.5 million in one decade.
Smith’s has overseen both the prosperity and the problems in District 2 — including traffic congestion, a lack of a formal development fees that could have funded more road projects, and the implementation of development fees so much higher than surrounding communities they drive out commercial businesses that could make the county’s suburbs more than a bedroom community.
She also helped oversee former County Manager Stan Griffis, who embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxpayer funds during her time on the board. And she’s vocally opposed the San Tan Flats restaurant, a story that’s grabbed national attention because a county ordinance ostensibly bans dancing in the restaurant’s outdoor patio.
A DEFINING RACE
The District 2 contest is anticipated to be a defining race for the future of Pinal County politics. Every major officeholder in the history of the county has been a Democrat.
But, in the upcoming election, the high-profile District 2 supervisor race could see roughly 6,000 more registered Republicans at the polls than Democrats.
Yet Martyn, 41, is not relying on the classic network of Republican clubs, precinct captains and local party members to carry his candidacy.
He’s reaching out to developers, prominent land-use attorney Jordan Rose, powerful community groups and networks that fellow Gold Canyon resident Sandie Smith has used in her election bids.
Smith appointed Martyn to the county’s design review board and attended his February retirement party from the Army before his candidacy was announced. Martyn defends the association.
“The fact is my political party has nothing to do with my friendships. It doesn’t have anything to do with me as a candidate,” he said.
Sharron Gill, who is running Martyn’s campaign, said Martyn’s no Smith clone.
“Sandie Smith’s opponents are saying he’s another Sandie Smith,” Gill said. “He has not and never has been in Sandie’s pocket.”
A DIVIDED PARTY
Factions run through the county’s Republican Party.
Todd House, 52, is a viable Republican contender to Martyn in the primary, some party officials say.
Smith handily beat House in the 2004 general election, but he is hoping the voter demographic shifts could propel his candidacy this time around.
House is putting his candidacy in the hands of the county’s traditional — but not quantifiably strong — Republican network.
House said that Martyn’s ties to developers show his true colors. Developers gave some of $6,000 in donations to Martyn at a Rose-sponsored fundraiser.
Smith is handing off her ties to a mature political network that has nothing to do with party affiliations, House said. The network includes developers and attorneys who helped propel her to more than $65,000 in campaign funds in the 2004 election.
“People who are with Bryan Martyn are for business as usual. Nothing is going to change with him. The only way it will change is to vote for me. I’m the true conservative,” House said. “With him it will just turn from a ‘D’ to an ‘R’.”
Martyn’s opponent is not the only one who said he is distant from the Republican Party.
Ron Reinagel, a candidate for county assessor, said Martyn recently stepped on his toes. In 2004, Reinagel lost a bid for the post by 55 percent to 45 percent to Democrat Paul Larkin.
Reinagel, a Gold Canyon resident, pointed out that Martyn opened his Gold Canyon headquarters the same day Reinagel had a fundraiser in Casa Grande.
“He said he would support my candidacy, but because of his friendships with other people it may not be as public as people expect.”
Martyn shrugs off the notion that he is blocking the efforts of other Republicans.
“You expect that negativity from the other party, but not your own,” Martyn said.
SEEKING A RALLYING POINT
Turmoil has marked the Republican Party in Pinal County during the last two years, which could hurt the party in its bid for countywide offices — including assessor, treasurer and school superintendent — in November.
Hoping to crack the Democratic hold in Pinal County, Republicans are broadcasting a message of reform and attempting to capitalize on the Griffis embezzlement scandal.
Tommy Tucker, a Saddlebrooke retiree who is the Republican Party chair, sees Martyn as a rallying point for the party as a whole — despite the detractors and Martyn’s guarded support of other candidates.
“I think his following is in his community where he makes his home,” he said. “They are excited about the fact of him having basically a sure thing.”
Meanwhile, Tucker sees the party strengthening in Pinal County, despite changes in leadership. Gill used to chair the county’s Republican Party until 2006 and ran House’s campaign in 2004. After Gill left as chair of the party, David West, from Maricopa, lasted six months. Tucker, 81, took over from there.
The party has never had more than 100 committee members. Now it has 114.
However, it’s unclear how strong the Republican network really is. The population, for the most part master-planned suburban communities in the northeast, is a breeding ground for localized political networks that lack a strong center.
It’s difficult to keep a watchful eye on exactly what’s going on across the county, Tucker said.
“What it takes to build a network is excitement plus effort. Our various committee people need to now go out and have friends and neighbors to actually become a part of the party structure.”
LONG REIGN: Pinal County Supervisor Sandie Smith works Wednesday in her Apache Junction office. LAURA SEGALL, FOR THE TRIBUNE
SOURCE: Tribune research; U.S. Census Bureau TRIBUNE
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