The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors is a government entity that most people do not recognize yet it touches everyone’s lives.
As mentioned in previous articles, County Government officials are generally the ones that:
- Count the votes on election day.
- Handle animal adoptions.
- Provide county medical care and access to affordable medical exams and care.
- Educate the homeless.
- Supply small business loans and assistance.
- Oversee medical testing like COVID 19 and monitor for positivity rates.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, under its current majority leadership, has not risen to the occasion during this COVID 19 Pandemic.
Preferring to pocket CARES Act money instead of spending in a timely manner on testing and small business assistance, the current leadership of the Board majority is a relic of another time when conservatism and miserly budgeting was the norm.
These times call for more dynamic leadership and action from the Board of Supervisors.
Whitney Walker, the Democratic Nominee for District Three of the Board, represents a new voice that would champion the people’s interests as a new member next January.
An advocate for the down and out the Board of Supervisor majority (including her Republican opponent, Bill Gates (not the Microsoft Guy)) have largely forgotten, Ms. Walker wants to be an active member of the Board who engages with the residents of District Three and working to advance their needs and priorities.
If elected, she would take a proactive position on:
- Funding community health needs, especially with regards to COVID 19.
- Economic and Housing Development.
- Equity for Women.
Ms. Walker graciously took the time to discuss her candidacy.
The questions and her responses are below.
- Please tell the voters two reasons they should pick you over your opponent, Bill Gates.
- “I am proactive, and I am present for the moment. Everything that has happened with COVID 19 and the lack of a proactive response from my opponent has increasingly shown a lack of leadership with the Board ranging from implementing mask-wearing to allocating CARES Act funding. My opponent is not present at the moment and addressing the needs of the people of District Three. Nor is he actively engaging with the community for the needs of the future.”
- “My opponent has not worked to ensure that the resources are there to meet this pandemic for individuals and small businesses.”
- “We need leadership that will take a proactive approach and brings the county forward.”
- Please tell the voters at least two ways your opponent does not reflect the vision of the Board of Supervisors.
- “The Board does not reflect the demographics of Maricopa County. The current Board has no women and that is a huge population missing from the conversation. There has never been an African American to serve as well. Those are critical perspectives needed to move Maricopa County forward and reflect our values.”
- “He is not present in the moment. He is not answering the calls or needs of the community. In order for us to meet the needs of Maricopa County residents and the people that call the county home, we need to have proactive and innovative leadership.”
- Please tell the voters at least three public policy issues you will advance if you are elected to District Three of the Maricopa Board of Supervisors office.
- “Creating and implementing a women’s commission to address the needs and inequities that women face while living in Maricopa County.”
- “We have full funding for health and human services including all areas concerning COVID 19.”
- “We should have full support for our Animal Care Department.”
- “Housing Crisis in the County.”
- “Supporting our local economy and small business owners.”
- “Allocate funding to support the economy.”
- Is there anything you would like the voter to know about you or your candidacy that has not been asked in the first three questions.
“My career advocating for people has been spent helping those who could not for themselves.”
“My leadership is community-driven where I will ensure that the people of District Three will have the resources needed to thrive right here in Maricopa County.”
For more information on Ms. Walker and her candidacy, please click on her webpage here, her Facebook Page here, her interview with Maricopa County School Superintendent Candidate Jeanne Casteen here, and her earlier interviews with Blog for Arizona here and here.
Please remember:
- The General Election Day is on November 3. 2020. Please see the below graphic for all-important voting dates.
- Please check your voter registration at vote.
- Register/sign up for the Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL) in Arizona or any state that allows early or absentee balloting and mail. Arizona residents can sign up at vote.
- Arizona residents, mail your General Election ballot by October 27, 2020, for the November 3, 2020 election. With recent issues with the Post Office, you should consider mailing them out by October 23, 2020, if not earlier.
- Check-in with the Secretary of State’s office where you live to verify your mail-in ballot was received, processed, verified, and counted.
- Know the voter ID requirements in your state.
- If you can, support Clean Election Candidates with a small contribution.
- Also, please remember to stay informed on all the candidates and vote for all the offices on the ballot.
- Also, remember to research all the ballot initiatives, sign to get them on the ballot if you support the measure, and vote on them as well.