Thanks to reader A.M. for alerting us that unofficial election results are in already.
And as she points out, it didn't appear to be close:
Trinity Donovan – 8,367 total votes (5,631 early, 2,736 today)
Jeff Weninger – 7,610 total votes (5,260 early, 2,350 today)
Becky "No Action" Jackson – 4,638 total votes (3,546 early, 1,092 today)
Congratulations to Trinity and Jeff!
Today is Election Day, so don't forget to vote in the Chandler City Council Elections!
It looks like Jeff Weninger finally got a website up and running, so check it out. I've made it clear that Jeff has my vote, and I also voted for Trinity Donovan.
For those who haven't made up their minds yet, let me give you this to think about on your way to the polls today. (more…)
If you haven't read Geo's email interview with Councilmember Orlando yet, you can find it here. His followup phone conversation can be found here.
As I've stated before, I am not in favor of the recall. I understand Orlando's and Sepulveda's reasoning for wanting Pentz out as City Manager, I just don't agree that those reasons are grounds for terminating him. What I really disliked, however, was the tone and manner of the meeting, and the fact that it appeared to be a predetermined agenda that Pentz would be fired after the review. THAT's what got me fired up, yet I STILL DON'T SUPPORT THE RECALL. Recalls are supposed to be for malfeasance or illegality in office, not for unpopular decisions. And, it's only one decision among many more that the council makes.
Don't sign the recall petition. Don't vote for the recall if there's an election. It's divisive and unwarranted.
Thanks to Geo for pointing out this opinion on AZCentral.com from last week:
Wasn't it about 12 years ago, when Patti Bruno was first running for City Council in Chandler, that there was such an outcry from the people of our city that she not be allowed to run for, let alone be elected to, the council because she was affiliated with the Chandler Chamber of Commerce? (more…)
Raises to Bring Workers' Pay Up to Standards – Edythe Jensen, AZCentral.com
Just a thought: How enthusiastic were the councilmembers to increase pay PRIOR TO the Pentz forced resignation? I know this has been a study in the works for a while, but it was the first thing I cynically thought of when I saw the headline.
GOP Spins Democrats' Signs – Paul Giblin, East Valley Trib
Haven't paid much attention to Pederson yet, as I think he's going to get pasted in the election. The whole slogan "No one's senator but ours" is, I think, a loser, as it turns on the electorate feeling like Senator Kyl's in someone's back pocket, a la Duke Cunningham.
Workers Welcomed as Long as They're Legal – Sarah N. Lynch, East Valley Trib
Huge Intel Layoffs 'Unlikely' – Mike Burkett, Chandler Independent
Notice how they say "Huge" layoffs, and don't say "NO layoffs?"
Budget Reflects Changing Focus – Mike Burkett, Chandler Independent
Anger to Draw More to Polls? – Mike Burkett, Chandler Independent
Downtown's Future to Rely on Past – Mike Burkett, Chandler Independent
KTAR Gains AM-FM Simulcast – Diane Arthur, The Business Journal
It will be interesting to see how this impacts the talk radio market in Phoenix. We already had Stern on FM prior to his defection to satellite, and now they're advertising Tom Leykis for the afternoons. Will the KTAR simulcast prompt KFYI and/or KKNT The Patriot to do the same? Personally, I hope so. KFYI has a great signal, but KKNT960 could really use the additional audience that FM would provide.
New Poll: Napolitano, Kyl Maintain Leads in Re-election Bids – Mike Sunnucks, The Business Journal
AOL to Layoff 300 in Tucson Call Center – The Business Journal
Residents Begin Recall of Sepulveda, Orlando – Laurie Fagen, San Tan Sun News
Council Runoff Election Q&A – Laurie Fagen, San Tan Sun News
Enjoy!
I got good kick out of this comment about my analysis of the debate:
Good coverage of Q&A and comments.
Donovan comes out of it looking pretty good.
Jackson somewhat bland and canned.
Weninger somewhere in between.
(Also, Jake demonstrates that perhaps he is more prepared to run for elected office than Weninger by offering a polished statement on the candidate's behalf.)
Like I said in George's comments, I, like many people, am more eloquent with the benefit of a keyboard and some time to think my comments through than I am in person. The fact that candidates put themselves out there for criticism while they think on their feet is admirable, and I certainly couldn't do as well in that setting.
I'm watching last night's debate and will be documenting my thoughts as I watch it (also known as liveblogging, although I don't think watching a taped replay qualifies as "live"), then followup with analysis at the end. NOTE: This is a VERY long post, so you might want to get a snack. Go ahead, I'll wait. (more…)
I haven't watched the entire debate yet, but have some preliminary thoughts based on the snippets I did see. I watched probably about 20 minutes before I went to bed, but will watch the whole thing today and put up a longer post.
Trinity Donovan – I came away more impressed than I was previously. Nothing else specific until I view the whole debate.
Jeff Weninger – Appeared nervous, but also spoke for the most part without notes.
Becky Jackson – I didn't see her speak to one issue without reading from a prepared statement. Ugh.
More to come later folks. I'm going to watch and post my own thoughts before I look at what the Chandler Connection and others post. Stay tuned.
Don't forget about the City Council election debate tonight between Jeff Weninger, Trinity Donovan, and Becky Jackson:
The forum will take place 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 26 at the Downtown Chandler Library, 22 S. Delaware St., in the City Council Chambers, second floor. “As we've seen in recent weeks, the city's leadership has a profound impact on all of us. We hope this forum will help residents when casting that important vote in May,” said Brian Johnson, editor of the Connection. (more…)
The Jake Files 