Reviewing some of the press releases on the many races for City Council, including District 5 - which includes a short video, I looked over the list of those running and heard what each said.
Keeping that in mind, looking at Mesa’s bright future, Arizona as a whole, and some of the immediate concerns our country faces; an obvious solution may be to “raise the bar” so to speak, when we cast that vote.
By now, one may have guessed what that might be. It’s the one piece the council lacks, and the one element until now, the people of Mesa have not entertained as a possibility. Maybe it’s the timing, or realizing we have a candidate that can fill that position quite aptly.
Phil Austin, who happens to be Hispanic, would be very helpful toward lending another qualified voice at the table. That in itself doesn’t qualify him; it does, however, bring the advantage of a cultural understanding and an ability to communitcate with this particular segment of Mesa’s population. Important in my opinion and missing in the overall picture. He brings with him, the legal aspect of someone committed to civil rights law; an Attorney versed on Employee -Employer Rights, is an asset to everyone.
Of course, that’s not the sum of his qualifications; he’s clearly community minded, active in city functions, well versed on transportation issues, growth issues, public safety concerns, business, and a well known respected resident, contributing throughout Mesa.
Our city, state, and nation is grappling with issues such as our economy and immigration issues. Topics particular to Mesa for a very long time - economic development at the forefront, touches many other related issues. It would seem the most prudent thing to do, is to have someone Hispanic in the process - for starters. For Mesa, an appropriate place in my opinion, would be on the city council.
Phil Austin, Esq., his thoughts on how he would serve Mesa, to me were the most impressive and the most cohesive for District 5 and for Mesa.