FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Governor Napolitano Endorses Mary Shope for Pinal County Board
Florence, Arizona. October 10, 2008--Governor Janet Napolitano today endorsed Mary Shope for the open seat on the Pinal County Board of Supervisors from District 2. The statement released by the Governor cites,
“Mary Shope’s experience as an educator, realtor and small business owner, in addition to her knowledge of mortgage banking and finance, makes her an excellent choice for the Pinal County Board of Supervisors.
With the rapid growth projected for Pinal County’s 2nd District, Mary’s integrity and commitment to fairness and open government will ensure responsible and controlled growth that protects the quality of life for residents of the District.”
Governor Janet Napolitano, Arizona State Governor.
Pinal County’s 2nd District takes in the communities of Apache Junction, Gold Canyon, Queen Valley, Florence, and the Johnson Ranch-Queen Creek area. It is the most populated district in the county and has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years. Developments have sprung up faster than required infrastructure needs could be met. This has become a major issue in the campaign.
Mary Shope is campaigning by calling for responsible growth with more advanced planning before the influx of new residents arrives. Shope says, “Our roads, schools, parks as well as the safety and health needs must be addressed prior to allowing new developments to take place. With most of the new developments being built in the unincorporated areas of the County they have placed a huge burden on the County’s ability to provide the necessary services.”
Shope wants to open communications from the County Board and put more transparency in County government. Having knocked on over 3000 doors in the district and discussing issues with constituents Shope has found that many people, especially those in the unincorporated areas have no idea who to turn to for help. “County Government is their local government and we must find ways to open more communication so we can better understand and meet their needs” said Shope.
SHOPE ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR PINAL COUNTY SUPERVISOR, DISTRICT 2
JUNE 5TH, APACHE JUNCTION
Mary Shope announced today that she is running for Pinal County Supervisor, District 2. This district encompasses the communities of Florence, Queen Valley, Johnson Ranch, Queen Creek, Apache Junction and Gold Canyon, and is the seat being vacated by Sandie Smith, who is retiring.
“Maintaining the quality of life we enjoy here in Pinal County, while promoting sustainable growth and development, is the major challenge we face as a community,” said Shope. A native of Pinal County, Shope has seen the population increase five fold over her lifetime, growing from 60,000 in 1960 to over 300,000 today.“In the past decade,” she said, “the growth has been staggering and the challenges to our infrastructure daunting.”Still she remains hopeful that by working together, the residents of Pinal County can become a responsive and unified force in determining their future path.
Mary Shope was born in Florence and raised in Coolidge.She graduated from Coolidge High School in 1974 and attended CAC on a scholastic scholarship.She graduated Magna Cum Laude from ASU, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education.Shope taught second grade in the Mesa School District from 1978-80.
In addition to her service as a teacher, she served from 1980-88 as a licensed real-estate agent, earning placement in the million-dollar club. A licensed massage therapist since 1988, Shope owned and operated a therapy center and massage institute licensed by the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education from 1992-98.
She returned to Pinal County in 1998 and has since been active in local, county, and state politics, working as a field organizer for the Arizona State Democratic Party during the 2006 election cycle. Shope considers her experience in real-estate sales, finance, and contract negotiations to be her most important qualification for the position of Supervisor.
As a native of Pinal County,“I feel uniquely qualified to address the needs of the people, whether they live within the borders of our towns and cities, or reside in the unincorporated regions of our county community.”
Shope identifies certain issues upon which her campaign is focused but recognizes that current market conditions will impact the pace of change and opportunities county-wide. Shope said, “Since entering the race for Supervisor, I’ve talked with hundreds of citizens about what they expect from county government. The people of County want safe and secure neighborhoods. They want provisions made to address their regional transportation and infrastructure needs. They want a greater focus on jobs and economic development.And finally, they want an integrated approach to governing that prioritizes their needs and sustains the quality of life we so appreciate in County.” “My decision to run for Supervisor,” said Shope, “is a direct result of my concern for the people of Pinal County. We know that change is inevitable, but the people must have a say in how the plans for Pinal County unfold. As Supervisor, I will work hard to earn the people’s trust as an advocate for their regional needs and a voice of reason for the community as a whole."
Ms. Shope served on the City of Tempe Massage Examiner’s Board from 1992-98. She currently serves as Secretary of the Pinal County Democrats and has been a Precinct Committee Person in Precinct 49 since 2006. “I am a life-long Democrat but understand that the position of Supervisor is not about partisanship or politics-as-usual. It is about serving the people.”
Financial reports shed light on Pinal campaigns
Jason Massad, Tribune, July 8, 2008
Bryan Martyn is leading the race to raise funds for the pivotal supervisor District2 seat in
Martyn has raised $28,520 in his bid to become the first Republican to hold a supervisor’s seat in a county that has seen its electorate shift from largely Democratic to basically an even split, plus a 20 percent contingent of independents.
Mary Shope, the Democratic candidate who faces no primary competition, has raised $1,887, according to campaign financial statements filed last week.
Martyn is in a primary battle with Todd House, who ran for the seat in 2004 and was soundly defeated by current Supervisor Sandie Smith, a Democrat. House has raised $9,502, according to his financial statements.
Political newcomer Danielle Tomerlin, a Republican, is a candidate, but has not yet raised $500, according to county election records.
Meanwhile, Elliot Fisher will advance to the general election as an independent. His financial disclosures had not been received by the county’s election office on Monday.
Republican voter numbers are particularly strong in District 2, which has been held by Smith for more than 15 years.
Tommy Tucker, the Republican party head, said strong fundraising in GOP circles is due to the increasing registration in the party, as well as frustration with the county’s scandals.
“All of those things kind of add up, and that gives momentum to people,” Tucker said.
Joe Robison, head of the Democratic party in
She is still making herself known and doesn’t have to hurdle an upcoming primary, he said. Five hopefuls, one seat. Whoever captures it will steer one of the fastest growing areas not only in the state but in the nation. With longtime Pinal County Supervisor Sandie Smith declining to run for another term, the door is wide open in the District 2 race for supervisor. Democrat Mary Shope and Independent Elliott E. Fisher will automatically see their names on the ballots for the general election. The Republican race is up in the air. Todd House, Bryan Martyn and Danielle Tomerlin all hope to see their names on the November ballot. Here's a look at the candidates who hope to take the reins of District 2:
District 2 supervisor race wide open
Profiles: Fisher | House | Martyn | Shope | Tomerlin
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursday Oct 16, 6:00 PM
Mary Shope will be attending a Candidate Forum at Four Peaks Elementary School, 1785 N Idaho, Apache Junction on the evening of Oct 16th. The public is welcome to attend. Candidates for Sheriff, County Recorder, Superior Court Judge, and other offices will also be taking part.
Saturday Oct 18
Mary Shope will be spending time both at the Pinal County Democrats booth at the Apache Junction Phestival on Phelps and at the Gold Canyon Farmer's Market.
Mary Shope
Jul. 31, 2008 01:57 PM
Mary Shope (D)
Running for: Pinal County Supervisor, District 2
The basics
Contact: wwwmaryshopeforsupervisor.com or maryshopeforsup@gmail.com.
Age: 52.
Occupation: Massage therapist.
Education: Graduated from Coolidge High School, attended Central Arizona College on a scholastic scholarship and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Arizona State University with a BA in elementary education.
Family: Married to Hans Langheinrich.
Previous public offices: Tempe Massage Examiner's Board, Precinct Committeeperson and secretary of Pinal County Democrats.
The icebreakers
How long have you lived in Arizona? 52 years, native of Pinal County.
What is the best piece of political advice you ever received? When considering policies affecting the public, research the issues, listen to all parties involved, and make an independent decision about the right course of action.
What character trait best serves a public official? Being ethical.
What character flaw most harms a public official? Being self serving.
What is your favorite book (besides a spiritual text)? Education and the Significance of Life.
What is your favorite place in Arizona? Superstition Foothills.
Which Arizona Political figure past or present do you most admire and why? In our Pinal County Democratic Party Headquarters hangs a picture of Ernest McFarland, an Arizona Democrat who holds the distinction of being the only politician to have served in all three branches of Arizona government. Recognizing the importance of water to Arizona's future, he became the state's leading expert in water law and reclamation and worked to pass the Central Arizona Project (CAP), allowing for the development of modern-day Arizona.
The issues
What goal would be your top priority during your upcoming term on the board? To work to make sure that all decisions of the Board of Supervisors are made in "the light of day." We must make sure that all citizens have the opportunity for input on decisions that may affect them.
What are the main challenges you see in your district? With the growing population in Pinal County, there are three important issues to consider. First is transportation; second is water quality and availability; and third is communication. With many areas of the county being unincorporated, the people must be able to contact their county supervisor and there must be a model of communication in place to allow the people to have their voices heard.
What can the board do to get county infrastructure in pace with the population?
The board must set up a process that determines how improvements in transportation, parks and other infrastructure needs will be financed prior to the start of new developments. With current budget constraints affecting our ability to provide for even the most basic infrastructure needs, it will take all of us working together to create solutions that will move us successfully thorough these challenges.
How do you propose to pay for future freeways and which routes are most important?
Regarding future freeways in District 2, routes now being considered by ADOT (the Arizona Department of Transportation) are the SR802 corridor and the U.S. 60 Gold Canyon reroute. The emphasis on transportation costs arises at the same time we face a slowing economy and reduced state and federal infrastructure funding. Arizona is losing millions of transportation dollars due to rising construction costs and depletion of the federal Highway Trust Fund. With the TIME initiative on the November ballot, voters will decide whether to pay an additional one cent sales tax to fund the state's transportation needs.
What do you think of the proposed comprehensive Pinal County Plan? Would you make any changes?
As required by law, the county has been working on a vision-based comprehensive plan that addresses growth and its impact on the county's ability to preserve open spaces, improve mobility, and attract living wage jobs. While this plan is important for the future development of the county, there must be flexibility in its implementation. It may be necessary to make changes along the way, especially considering funding sources and economic factors that may influence the ability to implement the plan as written.
Some feel Pinal County is mired in a "good ol' boy" system. Is there anything the county can do to shed this image? I have heard Pinal County referred to by some in the public as a "good ol' boy" system. The county board and other county elected officials can begin to shed this image in a number of ways. For example, recent appointments made by the Board of Supervisors and other county elected officials demonstrate that individuals were selected based on experience and qualifications. The county must continue to move in this direction, making appointments and decisions affecting the public in "the full light of day."
Pinal Dems slam Martyn over contributions
Comments 9| Recommend 0Jason Massad, Tribune
Pinal County Democrats are crying foul over $2,000 in campaign contributions given to Bryan Martyn, the county's most visible Republican candidate who is running to replace Sandie Smith as District 2 supervisor.
The money came from employees of El Dorado Holdings, a Phoenix real estate company with ties to former County Manager Stan Griffis - now serving a 3 1/2-year prison sentence for embezzling at least $428,000 in public money.
In late 2005, Griffis received e-mails on his work computer that showed an employee of El Dorado Holdings was making arrangements for Griffis and K. Michael Ingram, president and CEO of the company, to make a big-game hunting trip to east Africa, according to a 2007 Tribune story. The e-mails showed that the company wired at least $30,000 to a Tanzanian safari tour operator to cover the costs.
Last May, Ingram gave $390 to Martyn's campaign, the maximum allowed, according to campaign finance records.
Those reports show about $13,500 has been donated to Martyn from developers, land-use lawyers, real estate agents and construction-related business interests. That's 31 percent of the $43,332 that Martyn reported he has raised for his campaign, according to a Sept. 25 filing with the county's election department.
Martyn faces Mary Shope, a Democrat, and Elliot Fisher, an independent, in the Nov. 4 election.
Joe Robison, head of the Pinal County Democrats, has complained that developer contributions, particularly from El Dorado Holdings, "give the appearance that Pinal County may be headed for more corruption if Martyn were to be elected to the county board."
"It wouldn't be so bad if people weren't out there saying they wanted to stop the corruption," Robison said. "The real estate developers are where Griffis was getting his money to stash away."
Part of Martyn's campaign has been to criticize incumbent Democrats in the county for their ties to Griffis.
Sharon Gill, Martyn's campaign manager, said that the campaign has accepted money from developers because "you have to work with them."
However, she said she was unaware of the tie between El Dorado Holdings and Griffis when the money was accepted by the campaign. The trip to Tanzania was excessive, she said.
"Believe me, I don't agree with that at all," she said. "That's way over and above the bounds of common sense."
Gill said that as Martyn's campaign manager, she should have vetted the source of the money that was coming into the campaign.
"That's probably my fault that I haven't looked into it more," she said. "I personally had forgotten any connection with that, and I'm sure Bryan would tell you the same."
Ingram did not return phone calls seeking comment. Martyn gave back contributions from Johnson Utilities this election cycle after the company spilled sewage into a portion of Queen Creek.
Martyn said he is not beholden to developers, but said he doesn't want to alienate them either. Development in Pinal County could lower taxes and help build better roads, he said.
"Developers are not the enemy here," Martyn said. "Developers are the only way we are going to be able to generate the revenue that we need."
Shope has run her campaign on about $7,000, saying she won't take money from developers so she won't owe them anything. Fisher, meanwhile, has raised several hundred dollars in his bid.
"Taking developer money is a conflict of interest," Shope said. "To me it seems pretty clear. I'm going to be voting on the very proposals they bring to me."