John Christopher Ackerley, Andrea Dalessandro and Rosanna Gabaldon are candidates for Arizona Representative District 3. Here are their positions on issues relevant to PARA’s mission to monitor the activities of industrial developers, such as mining corporations, as well as government agencies, to make sure their actions have long-term, sustainable benefits to our public land, our watershed, and our communities.
1. When considering an industry’s promise to bring jobs to our community, what other factors would you consider when deciding whether or not the overall impact of such activity would ultimately be good for the long term sustainability of our communities?
JOHN CHRISTOPHER ACKERLEY
Very little of the eventual fate of the proposed mining projects in Southern Arizona will be controlled by direct action of the State Legislature; and rightly so. I do not believe Southern Arizona communities would be well served if the State Legislature were the arbiter of the ultimate effects of proposed projects. Ideally decisions about the net effects of such project should be made by the local communities directly effect by the projects; it is their priorities the should be reflected. As a State Legislator, it would be my responsibility to ensure the process by which decisions are reached is transparent and that all parties are heard.
ANDREA DALESSANDRO
Past track record of the entity and its leaders- experience-financial history-environmental-treatment of employees and neighbors-past promises kept?
Will local residents be hired? How many? For how long? Fairly compensated? Safe work conditions?
Realistic tax impact-income, property and sales tax
Required infrastructure and who pays?
Impacts on other jobs-especially small businesses
Impacts on roads and safety-are more traffic accidents likely?
Impacts on noise levels and quality of life
Health effects and impact of access to medical facilities
Water use-recharge-safe yield-contamination risk
Impact on air quality
Impact on wildlife
What will be the impact of this industry on travel and tourism?
Will there be negative impacts to other areas in the broader region?
How will the community be characterized if this industry came to the area?
ROSANNA GABALDON
The findings of federal government agencies related to the impact of the activity.
The legality issues related to such activity.
The industry’s willingness to participate in dialog related to the mitigation for their environmental impact.
2. As we desert dwellers are aware, water is a precious resource. What actions will you take to assure protection of the quality and quantity of our water resource?
JOHN CHRISTOPHER ACKERLEY
The viability and politics of any development in Arizona eventually hinges on water. In a similar vain as the previous question, it is not the state legislature’s job to adjudicate water issues, but to ensure the processes is fair and transparent. However, with water there is a additional component. We must ensure that any conversation about water is grounded by a realistic assessment of our available resources, and gives reverence to the protection of those resources. More passages of the Arizona Revised Statutes are devoted to water issues then perhaps any other issue. It would be folly for a legislator without expertise in the area to propose over-simplistic solutions. Rather as a legislator, I would commit to doing everything I could to ensure that unbiased experts had access and input into the decision making processes.
ANDREA DALESSANDRO
Extend water harvesting tax credits. My system has 620 gallon capacity.
Tighten water permitting process. We need 21st century laws for a 21st century economy and sustainability.
Protect the aquifers because the current Aquifer Protection permitting process is functioning as a aquifer destruction mechanism.
Pass measures that support conservation for residential and all water users with information about the best available practices.
ROSANNA GABALDON
Hold the AZ Department of Water Resources (ADWR) accountable to the States commitment to achieve Safe Yield by 2025.
Restore funding of the AZ Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ).
Encourage the US IBWC to address the contamination issues at the Mexican Border.
Encourage the State to tax plastic bottles to encourage less plastic bottles in our landfills and use the funds collect in support of ADEQ and ADWR
3. If you support open pit mining in the Santa Rita Mountains, Canelo Hills, Patagonia Mountains, and the San Rafael Valley, what is your proposed solution for the economic bust that will happen after the mines play out in 20 years (historical track record and what current mining applicants forecast as period of operation)?
JOHN CHRISTOPHER ACKERLEY
The basis of this question highlights the need for strong and effective local governments. Those looking to the State to provide answers in this area will surly be disappointed. It is those with a vested interest in their immediate communities that must ensure development accompanying such projects has a plan for use after the closure of the mine. They must also be watchful that commitments to services and programs do not place the community in an unsustainable financial situation when the tax revenues subside.
ANDREA DALESSANDRO
After extensive review and listening to residents and experts at many forums throughout the region over several years, I am against the mines in these areas.
ROSANNA GABALDON
I am aware of the economic cycle of mines and I encourage local communities work to diversify their major employers while mines are growing. Be aware and anticipate the mine closing. Taxes should be collected specifically to help mitigate the spiral when the mine does close. It is not wise to take a 30 year mortgage if you work for a mine that has a 20 year life. Employees of the industry should be encouraged to save and plan for the economic downturn and education is our best tool.
4. What types of support do you suggest for fostering our existing economic business models such as local food production, wineries, eco-tourism, heritage tourism, etc?
JOHN CHRISTOPHER ACKERLEY
As the economy recovers, provided the needs of public education, health and safety can be fully met, the State needs to renew its investment in effective programs to increase tourism. I would submit that this is widely held attitude among business and political leaders. My job as a State Legislature will be to ensure that the incredible assets of southern Pima and Santa Cruz counties are not overlooked in the conversation.
ANDREA DALESSANDRO
First, we need to tell a different story about the border, one in which security is only a slice of the picture. We need a collaborative process where we think outside the box. When politicians and others tout southern Arizona a danger zone or that we have “open borders.” It is not only untrue but it hurts tourism, real estate values and businesses, especially small businesses.
Last year I attended the inaugural Santa Cruz Nature and Heritage Festival in Rio Rico. I heard a lot of very knowledgeable people who spoke of the rich history, cultural diversity, incomparable nature and safety of the region.
At this point, I am underwhelmed with the Arizona Commerce Authority.
After the election, please help me meet stakeholders from whom I can learn what support would help different sectors the most.
ROSANNA GABALDON
Economic recovery will be driven by the businesses and workers; as law makers we want to set the most favorable conditions we can for growth and job creation for years to come. I encourage the creation of jobs for Arizona in the areas of construction and education. We need to rebuild our aging infrastructure and repair and modernize our schools. As a State we can live within our means and still make the investments needed to prosper.
5. What other visions of sustainable economic activities do you have for our area?
JOHN CHRISTOPHER ACKERLEY
Southern Arizona (especially outside the Tucson metro area) needs to extent its economic activity beyond agriculture and tourism. We must put ourselves in a position to capitalize on the economic opportunities presented by increased trade with our southern neighbors in a way that is focused on long-term goals and that respects the cultural and environmental assets of the region. As a State Legislator, perhaps the biggest contribution I could make is supporting efforts and/or ensuring a venue for the various organizations throughout the district to collaborate.
ANDREA DALESSANDRO
Until last week, I never thought of expanding Medicaid as a sustainable economic development mechanism, much less one that would benefit Legislative District 2. After seeing reference to it last week, I went to the Grand Canyon Institute web site and read the full Policy Paper at https://grandcanyoninstitute.org/sites/ grandcanyoninstitute.org/files/ GCI_Policy_Arizona_Medicaid_Options_Sept_2012.pdf
In LD 2, 34% of the children live in poverty and the Santa Cruz County unemployment rate hovers around 18%. Additionally, Tucson is the 6th poorest large city in the country.
I contend that our area will benefit, disproportionally (in a good way) if Option 3 is implemented. It will honor the intent of the voters, who in 2000 passed Prop 204, Healthy Arizona, and take full advantage of federal matching funds of the Affordable Care Act. It will not only provide cost effective coverage for more AZ children and low income childless adults but it will create jobs in health care professionals and their support staffs. It will benefit rural underserved areas. Because of this influx of nearly $8 BILLION in federal funds statewide over four years, there will be increased income and sales tax revenue.
Where applicable, I would like to see more solar in Santa Cruz County but I am aware of some of the obstacles that have to be overcome.
I am exploring to the possibility of tax incentives for the film industry because I think it could beneficial to southern Arizona. Currently film makers fly over Arizona to Texas and New Mexico.
ROSANNA GABALDON
Sometimes you got to give a little to help encourage new businesses to develop in your community. I encourage public private partnerships and collaboration to benefit our area. Our State could make a more united effort to encourage economic development. I would like to see a unified effort to bring bio science and renewable energy jobs to Southern AZ, a key element of this effort will be an investment in our youth, providing them the skills and education needed for this growing industry.
6. Arizona Proposition 120 asserts State rights over air, water, public lands, minerals, wildlife, and other natural resources within Arizona. What is your position on this Proposition and why?
JOHN CHRISTOPHER ACKERLEY
While the balance between the state and federal government needs to be redressed, I am unconvinced that Prop 120 will contribute to a constructive discussion about the appropriate balance between federal and state control over public lands. The majority of the added language is a rational statement with no actual effect. Language releasing claims to public land and consenting to the act of congress that paved the way for Arizona’s statehood is repealed, but then effectively inserted in another section. The gray area is public lands not owned by the federal government but subject to federal restrictions in one form or another. It is naive to think that a simple statement of state sovereignty will mitigate any of the inevitable litigation that would result form efforts to repurpose public lands. Simply put, Prop 120 will not resolve the very serious issues between the Arizona and the federal government concerning the disposition, use and access to public lands.
ANDREA DALESSANDRO
Against. This is another waste of time proposed by some in the Legislature. These resources belong to the people and they were part of the deal in our journey to statehood. The state of Arizona and, especially the Legislature, has demonstrated that they are ill equipped to manage even the state parks. How can they even think that they could manage the expanse of federal public land and its resources?
We need the federal protections of Endangered Species Act, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act. Without federal protections, I expect that some would be advocating for uranium mining at Grand Canyon National Park and other endeavors that would have a lasting negative impact on Arizona and its residents.
The bottom line is that this proposal is wrong headed because it is in conflict of the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause and Arizona’s Enabling Act.
ROSANNA GABALDON
I oppose this proposition because appears to be unconstitutional.
As a non-profit organization with a pending IRS 501-c-3 application, Patagonia Area Resource Alliance (PARA) can not endorse specific candidates. PARA can ask questions of all candidates regarding their positions on issues relevant to PARA’s mission.
