Meet Yuma City Council Candidate Jason R. Bradley
The Yuma Sun is publishing question-and-answer profiles of each candidate running in the Yuma City Council primary. Yuma voters will head to the polls on Aug. 27 to fill two council open seats and one municipal judge seat in the primary election. Early voting begins July 31.
NAME: Jason R. Bradley AGE: 43
FAMILY: Married to Adrian J. Estrada for six years, and in November 2020, we will celebrate our 20th anniversary. We have four dapple miniature Dachshunds, Dubblin, 13, Al- lux, 12, Owynn, 10, and Cyllus, 10.
EMPLOYMENT: Full-time, assistant clinical professor with the School of Nursing for Northern Arizona University and NAU-Yuma program coordinator for the NAU School of Nursing. I also work as a per diem nurse for Yuma Regional Medical Center, serving in the areas of palliative care, clinical education and critical care.
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
This is my first time as a political candidate, but I am excited to represent the people of Yuma in this new role. I have always believed civic engagement, civil discourse and political expression are obligations we have as patriotic Americans. This is imperative in order to further our society and protect the opportunities that this great nation affords us all. I have been a registered and participating voter since becoming eligible at 18.
WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND? WHAT IN YOUR PAST EXPERIENCES HELPS QUALIFY YOU FOR THIS SEAT? I know intimately what it means to represent the interests of others and give voice and support to those who are vulnerable. I am an active member of both the Arizona Nurses Association and American Nurses Association. I have served as a delegate for AZNA to the annual ANA Membership Assembly. I have served on numerous organizational committees and boards in the Yuma community. These roles involve the need to balance political perspectives with professional and personal roles, as well as many other aspects of group and leadership dynamics. I am a skilled communicator and collaborator. I know how to engage with others to achieve common goals and resolve conflict as it arises.
WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE MOST IMPORTANT DUTY OF THIS OFFICE? The most important duty of this office is to protect the sustainability and longevity of our community and promote the generous, friendly nature of the Yuma people that makes our city a great place to live, grow, and prosper. If elected to the City Council, I will oppose ideas that overlook these values, particularly drastic plans to eliminate the Parks and Recreation Department, which employs over 100 Yuma citizens that participate in Yuma’s growing economy. I will reject the temptation of short-term budget solutions that will jeopardize the future ability of the city to provide services and meet our obligations to the people of Yuma. Our city is growing, and the future will require more parks, more police and fire services, and more infrastructure that will sustain our growth for the long term.
IF ELECTED, WHAT IS THE ONE ISSUE ON WHICH YOU WOULD FOCUS TO IMPROVE YUMA’S QUALITY OF LIFE? HOW?
To improve Yuma’s quality of life, I will support initiatives that focus on creating shade, increasing the use of solar for shade and energy production, and improving the accessibility to active living across our community. One instance of this is the lack of a significantly-sized, family/ community park with exercise, walking, running, and celebratory accommodations on the east side of Yuma.
There is a loud desire among tax-paying families for such a park to be built. As a city we should be rewarding those who engage in solar and wind energy initiatives and we should have these features for future city projects with stakeholder collaboration. Clean energy producing parks would also be a learning experience that schools could bring students to learn about the possibilities of merging recreation and science. In the long-term, energy-efficient policies will curb costs and save public tax dollars for other projects.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING YUMA RIGHT NOW?
I think there are several significant challenges that Yuma needs to be proactively engaged in to address our future. These issues include 1) balancing the needs of anticipated community growth, while ensuring the safety, health, and well-being of our citizens 2) recruiting, educating, and retaining qualified employees for all levels of public and private employment 3) and finally leveraging our strengths and optimizing sustainability around solar and wind energy with a focus on creating jobs.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO, IF ELECTED, TO HELP CHANGE THAT?
When elected to Yuma City Council, I intend to serve as a steadfast advocate for the three challenges noted above. Ensuring that each decision I make factors in the impact on each of these issues and protecting Yuma at the foundation. Ensuring balance, transparency and thoughtful deliberation is an imperative for serving in this role. WHAT DO YOU WANT VOTERS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
In 2000, I began my career in Yuma as a mental health counselor, and in 2008 I became a nurse, caring for families who need help navigating our healthcare system in Yuma County. Since becoming a full-time educator and administrator in 2011, I have aimed to increase the number of diverse, bachelor’s-prepared nurses who serve our community and improve the nursing educational experience along the way.
While living in Yuma it’s easy to see the friendly and welcoming nature of our community. This collective strength and commitment to our greater good is a reason I chose to run for City Council. Whether it be the vitality of our city’s art community or the excellence of our city employees who do so much for Yuma’s quality of life. Yuma thrives as a diverse community that welcomes everyone to a city that places family, fellowship, and freedom at the forefront.