Tolleson election: City Council candidates discuss finances and landing a grocery store

Tolleson voters will decide between four candidates vying for three City Council seats in the Aug. 2 election.

Political newcomer Frank Aponte, a retired city employee, is challenging incumbents Jimmy Davis, Clorinda Erives and Linda Laborin for a seat on the council.

Early voting began July 6. Those who choose to vote by mail are advised to mail their ballot by July 26 or drop it off at a ballot drop-off location or voting location by 7 p.m. on Election Day.

The Arizona Republic asked candidates to answer three questions on city issues. Here's how they responded.

Keeping city fiscally responsible

Tolleson will soon open its city hall and has begun planning for an aquatic center. What will you do to ensure the city is fiscally responsible as it undertakes these major projects?

Aponte: "If elected as a council member I as well as other council members would prioritize allocating enough monies in the budget for the upkeep and safety of the aquatic center, i.e. cleansing, chlorination, repairs and supervision such as, life guards, CPR training, life saving floatation devices, etc."

Davis: "The new Tolleson Civic Center and aquatic center will soon be the crown jewel of our city. I have been tasked by Mayor (Juan) Rodriguez with overseeing the aquatic center project. It is very important that we use the taxpayers’ dollars efficiently as well as making sure the wants and needs of our residents are met in this project. We have been very actively gathering feedback from the community during the design process by conducting focus groups and with a community survey gathering input from interested parties. As the project continues, we will continue to gather feedback.

"This project is something the community pushed forward, when the Tolleson Union High School pool closed. This left Tolleson without an aquatic’s facility. These major projects must be handled with patience and care. I will work to ensure the aquatic center project stays within budget and is something that will last generations."

Erives: "It is so exciting to see the new Tolleson’s City Civic Center. To go from design concept to a physical building is impressive. The Civic Center will be home to our public library, senior center, council’s chambers and administrative offices. The future home of our aquatic center will be located behind the City Civic Center.

"The City Civic Center comes with a $22 million price tag. Like all projects, expenses can total up quickly, especially unforeseen expenses. As a council, our role is to be diligent and transparent with the taxpayer’s checkbook. Therefore, it is imperative for us stay vigilant to the City Civic Center’s budget, make note of any unexpected expenses. Financial transparency will be provided through the City of Tolleson’s website. Financial documents can be found through hyperlinks. Our new City Civic Center is a state-of-the-art building for all residents of Tolleson."

Laborin: "We had an election on the aquatic center and we are fully funded for this project."

Bringing a grocery store to Tolleson

Tolleson is home to Costco, Kroger, Albertsons/Safeway distribution centers yet the city still does not have a grocery store for 7,295 residents. How can you work to bring a grocery store to the city?

Aponte: "As for a grocery store, I would have to consult with the economic development department as well as with council to view the options, if any, such as land, location and interested parties willing to bring their business to Tolleson."

Davis: "We are frequently told about the 'magic' grocery store population number by major grocers. I have continued to support development that includes housing options to boost our population in our city. If we can grow our population, we will have an ample chance at securing a major grocer within our borders. The development in Tolleson coupled with the growth south of our city should make us an attractive market for a major grocer in the very near future."

Erives: "Tolleson would benefit greatly from having a grocery store as it would offer residents access to fresh foods, provide new jobs and generate taxes. In order for a grocery store to come into Tolleson, our residential count needs to reach 10,000.

"Recently, our council approved the construction of a new apartment complex along McDowell Road and three new housing projects along 99th Avenue, as well as the expansion of a current apartment complex. It is with great anticipation that with construction of these new housing projects, our residential count would grow leading a grocery store to invest in Tolleson."

Laborin: "We have a great economic development gentleman, who's being working on this problem for a few years. We need to get our population numbers higher in our small 6.5 square miles. He's getting more families and companies to build apartments and houses. The traffic is going to be a bit of a problem, but we'll figure it out."

Biggest challenges city faces

What do you see as the city’s two most critical challenges and how would you help solve them?

Aponte: "The city’s two most major challenges are city code and city ordinance compliance. The way to solve them would be to work with code enforcement to enforce the code and ordinance violations, i.e. issue warnings and citations for those violations."

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Davis: "Homelessness and substance abuse plague our municipalities nationwide. We have all suffered loss as a result of substance abuse, and we see chronic homelessness Valley-wide.

"Harm reduction strategies are being implemented to combat substance abuse in Tolleson. I will continue to support these strategies and push programs that save lives.

"Homelessness must be address at its root. First, finding solutions that meet basic human needs like water, food and shelter. Once we get people off the street, only then can we begin to find solutions for them. Breaking them out of the cycle of homelessness.

"These issues are so incredibly nuanced, one size does not fit all, so we must work to create programs that are able to adapt to the needs of the individual. I will continue to support strong substance abuse and homeless programming in the city of Tolleson."

Erives: "The COVID-19 crisis has brought a myriad of issues to our community, such as mental health, drugs and homelessness, small business struggles, domestic violence, job loss, and poverty, just to name a few. Although recovery for each issue is important, housing and education stand out for me as Tolleson’s most critical challenges.

"Housing —  The stress of this pandemic has increased the number of families struggling to pay their mortgages and rent. Some are facing eviction, even homelessness. I would like to work on a comprehensive housing response plan that addresses immediate, medium- and long-term effects of COVID-19 that includes stakeholders to help improve their housing situations.

"Education — To help close the learning loss gap, students need additional instructional time. Multiple after school and summer programs are offered through our recreation center and our public library. My Vice Mayor Story Time is another program supporting children’s academic growth."

Laborin:  "Traffic is a problem going through our small community. People living around us travel our main streets to get to the freeway on the north side of town.

"Water is a concern for our residents. Just like it is for our neighbors in all directions."

Reporter Maritza Dominguez covers the southwest Valley can be reached at maritza.dominguez@arizonarepublic.com or 480-271-0646. Follow her on Twitter @maritzacdom.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Tolleson election: Q&A with City Council candidates