Meet Yuma City Council Candidate Robert T. Scarborough
The Yuma Sun is publishing questionand-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 open council seats and one municipal judge seat in the primary election. Early voting begins July 31.
NAME:
Robert T. Scarborough AGE: 51 FAMILY: Married with two children
EMPLOYMENT:
Managing partner at Green Trees Grocery Outlet and Office Furniture and Supply Outlet
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
Two terms Yuma County precinct committeeman
WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND? WHAT IN YOUR PAST EXPERIENCES HELPS QUALIFY YOU FOR THIS SEAT?
I am a native of Arizona, born in Phoenix. I attended Arizona State University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in agri-business. I moved to Yuma in 1991 as an agricultural crop consultant. About 21 years ago I started Green Trees Grocery Outlet. My sister came on board as a full partner two years later and soon after we launched Office Furniture and Supply Outlet. My wife was a shopper in our early years of the business, and we were married in 2001. We have two children, ages 9 and 11. My most important attribute to running for City Council is the experience of being a business owner has given me. Managing associates, procurement of product, living within the financial constraints of revenue generated have all given me invaluable experience on what it takes to succeed in business, and what Yuma needs to succeed is an atmosphere where business can thrive.
WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE MOST IMPORTANT DUTY OF THIS OFFICE?
The most important duty of City Council is managing the finances and protecting the constitutional rights of our citizens. If business is to thrive and grow, taxation and regulation must be kept to a minimum. As a council member I would look to spend our tax dollars as wisely as possible. I would not be voting to approve $14 million softball parks or any other capital expenditure that we cannot afford at this time. I would be against any and all tax increases; high taxation and unnecessary regulation are two of the biggest impediments to growth. Protecting our citizens and their property are the most important function of government, and as such I will fully support our police, fire and other necessary services.
IF ELECTED, WHAT IS THE ONE ISSUE ON WHICH YOU WOULD FOCUS TO IMPROVE YUMA’S QUALITY OF LIFE? HOW?
The most important quality of life issue for me comes down to taxes and fees. I have lived in Yuma for over 30 years and I am convinced we have a problem of too much spending, not a problem of too little taxation. With all the outside revenue that comes in from agriculture, tourism and the military bases, there is no reason we cannot balance a budget. I look forward to not only balancing a budget, but building a surplus to where we can look at reducing taxes and fees as opposed to holding the line. Having a tax friendly city is the very best way to draw business into our city. If you want to look at the opposite, just look to the exodus out of California, all due to high taxation, fees and regulation.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING YUMA RIGHT NOW?
One of the biggest challenges Yuma faces is not enough high-paying jobs. Government cannot help this by taxing and spending, every job created by government necessitates more taxes; only private sector employment is true growth. By creating a low-tax environment, we as a community can attract those businesses looking to escape their unfriendly business locales. All over the country people are migrating to cities that offer a stable and profitable future. Yuma has as much to offer as any city I have lived in. By encouraging growth through low taxes and fees, we can help to capture those businesses that will bring the high-paying jobs we need to succeed.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO, IF ELECTED, TO HELP CHANGE THAT?
To beat this dead horse one last time, I would look to reduce expenditures and capital improvements to a level that will allow us to not raise taxes and fees and look to lower both as we have enough budget surplus to do so.
WHAT DO YOU WANT VOTERS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I am honest, straightforward, and I will not change if elected to office. I will always keep my promises.