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San Manuel Miner, San Manuel, Arizona
Pete Rios
August 15, 2012
Alicia Bristow
James Montano
District 1 Supervisor candidates at Copper Area News forum By Chase Kamp Copper Area News Three of the five candidates vying for the District 1 Supervisor seat gathered for a community forum on Aug. 10, 2012 to discuss their personal merits and policy stances. While incumbent Democrat Pete Rios touted his achievements in office, his opponents presented themselves as alternatives to the status quo in the County seat of Florence. The forum was hosted by Copper Area News Publishers. Republican candidate Jim Montaño took an outsider stance, saying he is not a professional politician. “I believe I have what you guys need in District 1 and in the county to be represented,” he said. Independent challenger Alicia Bristow framed herself as a public servant, citing her time as executive director for the Hands Across the Border Foundation, a non-profit that provides intercultural exchanges between Mexican and American students. “I believe in principles, not politics,” Bristow said. “I know I have a lot to learn, but I think I have the leadership qualities that you need.” Countering his opponents and referencing his extensive public sector résumé, Rios said some think of him as a politician, yet he considers himself a policy maker. “I’ve been a policy maker for three decades and I’m pretty darn proud of it,” Rios said. When asked what made her candidacy unique, Bristow touted experience including her current position as President of the Oracle School Board, saying she would offer a fresh outlook to the office. “I believe that it might be a new perspective is needed in County
government,” she said. “The status quo is no longer what we need.” Rios argued he was pleased with the work accomplished by the Board. “We have frozen property taxes increases for two years,” he stated. “We reduced property taxes for this coming fiscal year. A lot of people are happy about that.” The candidates also addressed the protection of San Pedro River, the last undammed desert river in the southwest. All of the candidates said protecting the river was a no-brainer, but there were complications to work around. Montaño said one of the challenges is avoiding the intervention of the Environmental Protection Agency and get help from the state. “That’s shown not to be a good thing for other areas and other communities,” he said. Rios said the ranchers and farmers on the lands around the river have been good stewards of the space, so the question becomes whether or not to seek more protection. “U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services is proposing a refuge for the San Pedro,” he said, “and the question is whether we want to sell private land to the federal government when only seven percent of the County is private land.” Bristow said all stakeholders should be brought to the table on the decision. “There are other organizations that are trying to look for the best option to maintain that area,” she said. The primary election will be held on Aug. 28 and the general election votes will be cast on Nov. 6. Also running for the District 1 Supervisor seat are Democrat Mary Bateman-Espinoza and Republican Gem Cox.