Arizona Daily Star endorses Paul Cunningham for Tucson City Council Ward 2

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The Arizona Daily Star today continues to roll out its editorial endorsements with an endorsement for Paul Cunningham in Tucson City Council Ward 2. Let Cunningham keep his Ward 2 seat (excerpts):

Paul Cunningham has represented Ward 2 on the Tucson City Council since May 2010, when he was appointed to fill a vacancy. Cunningham is campaigning for his first full term and should be elected.

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Cunningham is the best prepared for the job responsibilities because of his practical approach to the opportunities and limitations of what city government can accomplish.

Cunningham was key player in bringing Major League Soccer to Tucson for spring training games next year. He understood the benefit to Tucson and worked with others to make it a reality. This level of leadership reaches beyond the largely northeast Ward 2 to touch the entire city.

He was outspoken after the ParkWise scandal broke, holding Mike Letcher, then city manager, publicly accountable for not taking quick action when he learned of mismanagement, missing money and other impropriety going on in the downtown parking program. Letcher was unanimously fired by the council a short time later.

Cunningham describes himself as pragmatic and focused on what is best for taxpayers. Asked whether any work can be stopped or outsourced, he mentioned environmental services as one he'd consider.

But, he pointed out, lots of questions would have to be answered first, such as how much would the city earn in selling off its vehicle fleet? Who would manage the environmental safety of landfills and Superfund sites?

"Everything is on the table," he said. "But sometimes it doesn't pencil out."

Some government functions might better be managed by private business, and Cunningham is correct to judge each on its merits.

"It's OK to be slow and methodical," he said.

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Cunningham said he is waiting for a safety report on the [red-light] cameras' effectiveness, but that if it backs up his opinion, he is "going to be the first one to lead the parade to take them out."

Cunningham said he knows that street repair is a major complaint across the city. He supports the effort to chip-seal about 60 miles of linear residential road, but knows it is not enough. He advocates taking money from the general fund to resurface roads in a rotation so every area is touched. "I'm not going to take money out of public safety to pay for roads," he added.

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Cunningham offers a balanced and get-things-done approach to the Tucson City Council. He should continue to represent Ward 2.