Meet the candidates: mayor of Somerton
Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of interviews profiling the candidates for mayor and city council in Somerton and San Luis, Ariz. Jose Yepez, seeking a new term as mayor of Somerton, is running against Somerton Vice Mayor Gerardo Anaya in the city’s Aug. 28 primary election.
Gerardo Anaya
Age: 42 Education: Bachelor of science in engineering
Occupation: Civil engineering
Experience as an elected official: 9 1/2 years as mayor, vice mayor and city councilman.
Other community involvement: Member of the organizing committee of the Somerton Tamale Festival, member of the board of directors of Valle del Desierto Senior Living, member of the board of directors of the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corp., member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and member of Arizona State University’s El Diablito alumni chapter.
What qualities or attributes qualify you to be mayor?
I am a trustworthy and knowledgeable member of the community. I am fair and I am concerned about the future of Somerton. My number one priority is to make Somerton a vibrant and safe community for future generations. I firmly believe in having an open and transparent process for making decisions. I am able to lead small and large groups in finding common ground. As mayor, I will represent Somerton with integrity and professionalism.
If you are elected, what would be your three highest priorities for City Hall and why?
Create more open areas in the community where families can gather and enjoy themselves. The city purchased land next to the site of the new high school. We have to make sure the land is developed for that, and we need to find sources of funding (for the development) with minimal impact on the residents.
Also, work to improve communication among the City Council, the police department and the community. The number of crimes related to firearms has increased. We have to make sure that we all work with the right priorities. The mayor and council have to take steps to improve communication and avoid costly court cases.
Also, provide additional resources for the (city) Department of Economic Development. We need to be creative with our focus on economic development. No one is knocking on our door to do business in Somerton. An example of this vision and creativity is the (Arizona Department of Economic Security) call center located on the east side of the city.
Among all the projects in which you have participated as a council member or mayor, what is the most satisfactory and the one most needed by the community?
When I began serving on the council, 70 percent of the streets were in bad condition. The majority of the streets on the north side of Somerton lacked sidewalks and gutters. In the last nine years, we have reduced that to 2 percent. The redevelopment of the downtown and the development of a park next to the proposed high school are the two main projects planned in the near future.
Jose Yepez
Age: 47 Education: High school graduate and graduate of automotive school
Occupation: Owner of an auto parts and auto repair business.
Experience as an elected official: Mayor, vice mayor and city council member
Other community involvement: President of the Valle del Desierto board, board director of PPEP, vice president of the executive board of the Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization, member of the Somerton Chamber of Commerce and president of the Josefina Yepez Cancer Walk.
What qualities or attributes qualify you to be mayor?
I believe I am a person with a very open mind, who is always committed to working for the betterment of our community. I have the time and the experience to represent Somerton, and not just at two (council) meetings a month.
If you are elected, what would be your three highest priorities for City Hall and why?
Education, health coverage and strengthening relations with Mexico and the region. Our children are our future, and we need to work in making America more healthy. Besides that we need to be working together more to promote the economic growth of our regions.
Among all the projects in which you have participated as a council member or mayor, what is the most satisfactory and the one most needed by the community?
One of the greatest satisfactions are our walking tracks or andadores that are being built around the city. But I believe we owe our community even more areas to walk that are clean, safe and well lit, where our residents can enjoy themselves and be healthier. I will work hard to represent my community in all respects.