With the local city council election in November, those candidates for the Flagstaff City Council who will appear on the ballot have been given the chance to answer a weekly question in no more than 150 words.
This week鈥檚 question: What is an example of a time when you have changed your mind?
Council
Miranda Sweet
It can be difficult to speak your truth, especially when changing your mind on a pending decision. Recently, the City Council passed a new water rate. As the initial meeting unfolded I realized that it would be important for me to look at all angles while learning about water rates. Originally I wanted to fund the water Capital Improvement Projects at 100% but realized the impact would be too great on our community. Even though I felt uncomfortable, I called an emergency city council meeting to make sure that every possible scenario was discussed before making this big decision. In the end the council voted to bring the funding from 100% to 80% which lowered the financial impact to the community. I learned how justifiable it is to change your mind in the process, to make decisions that are based on a well rounded approach and not a predetermined conclusion.
Robert Bruenig
When I was a young man, I was a devoted follower of the political philosophy of Barry Goldwater. I believed in the concept that governments should play a very limited or no role in addressing society鈥檚 problems--that markets alone could solve fundamental problems. While I still admire some things about Barry Goldwater, specifically his love of Arizona, as an adult, I came to see that governments can play a positive role in addressing the problems of people in today鈥檚 complex world: that markets alone cannot solve fundamental problems. For example, free markets have not and cannot solve the water crisis in Arizona, it takes regulation to prevent the depletion of our ground water. This and many other examples indicate that we need an active and thoughtful government to address problems such as climate change and voting rights. In this way I changed my mind.
Amethyst Deasy
I like to say more that my mind evolves. I began college pursuing a degree in early childhood education and taught preschool during that time. I absolutely loved it and thought that was it for me. Throughout my time there I connected with the kids and learned so much and yet something was missing. After much thought I applied to nursing school. While much of my experience in teaching has translated to skills I use as an RN this change in my life has been far more fitting and fulfilling to me. I find this similar to what leads me to run for Flagstaff City Council. There are many ways we can find fulfillment and evolve to give back to others.
Anthony Garcia
Social change can be brought on by attention to new technology, land availability, population fluctuation and environmental instability. As humans, it鈥檚 often necessary for our thought process to evolve with the pace of these ecological adaptations.
For example, I鈥檓 currently Vice-Chairman of the RegionalPlan2045 final draft committee. Within this draft there are provisions to develop High Occupancy, Multifamily Housing near Activity Centers throughout Flagstaff.
Initially, I was strongly opposed to this. I was concerned that encouraging building density would obscure our cherished viewshed and shift our community character.
As I began to understand that increasing density is one solution to our current housing deficiency and is more environmentally sustainable than urban-sprawl, I started to rethink my mindset.
Now I realize that multifamily mixed-use density, when done equitably, will help increase our housing stock, therefore encourage housing affordability.
Not more student housing, instead more community focused multifamily affordable and workforce housing.
David Spence
Throughout my life I have voted predominately for democratic candidates because their positions were most often aligned with my values and beliefs. However, in the 2008 presidential primary election, I changed my voter registration in order to be able to vote for John McCain for President. I have a clear memory of this 鈥渕ind change鈥� because of Senator McCain鈥檚 track record in Congress: he fought for wise, sound and just policies. I have great respect for his legacy.
This decision in my life is relevant to my candidacy for City Council, even though the position is non-partisan, because I will listen to both sides of controversial issues before taking a position.
While I would never claim to be of Senator McCain鈥檚 stature, I will emulate his practical, consensus-seeking approach to decision making.
Dennis Givens
I was born on an Air Force base and raised in a military family. From a young age it was impressed upon me to set goals and diligently pursue them. By college, I had set my mind to defending our country from global threats and was committed to joining the Space Force. After college, despite my strict upbringing and steadfast commitment to achieving my goals, I changed my mind and decided to help small businesses in Flagstaff. Although the issues we face may feel daunting, it became apparent to me that I could protect and serve our country best by investing my time and energy in my immediate community. My dreams of joining the military are still alive, but I believe by turning my focus towards a seat on Flagstaff鈥檚 city council I can elevate our community鈥檚 voice to ultimately make a larger impact on the world around us.
Mayor
Becky Daggett
I鈥檝e been involved with local issues for some 25 years鈥攆rom protecting open spaces, to obtaining land to extend the FUTS, to land use planning and the arts. I鈥檝e always been aware that workforce housing is an issue here. Yet the more I鈥檝e witnessed the struggles of my neighbors and learned about the complexities on this topic, the more I now believe workforce housing is one of our most pressing problems. Will Flagstaff be known as a place where hard-working people can raise a family and contribute to our community, or will we succumb to the pressures plaguing so many other mountain towns? While the city council doesn鈥檛 have control over all of those pressures, I will continue to do everything I can to increase workforce housing. Even when I am confidently informed on an issue, I remain open-minded that other perspectives can provide context I may not have considered.