The Glendale Star
July 23, 2020
The Glendale
COUNCIL FROM PAGE 2
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tation is critical. To replace that poor reputation with a positive and desirable description of itself would aid in repairing our reputation in the public mind. People respond in a positive way when they have something. What is your track record and style of responding to questions from the public? Bryce Alexander: I do not claim to be a refined orator, I have gained quite a bit of experience giving sermons as a pastor, and I am comfortable with public speaking. I seek honesty as my guiding principle in my public speaking, which, sadly, isn’t always the most popular thing to do in this era of political spin and division. Joyce Clark: I have an extensive record of accessibility. People contact or text my cell (602-320-3422) and I usually respond within 24 hours; or email me at jclark@glendaleaz.com or clarkjv@aol.com. I publish a weekly digital e-newsletter, hold twice yearly districtwide meetings, meet with HOA and neighborhood groups when invited, and mail a district newsletter to all 11,000 households in my district twice a year. I communicate frequently on social media such as Facebook, NextDoor and Twitter. I publish a blog on Glendale’s issues at joyceclarkunfiltered.com. What current elected official do you most admire? Joyce Clark: Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina because of his efforts to bring both sides together on a Police Reform bill. Bryce Alexander: Susan Collins. What historic elected official do you most admire? Bryce Alexander: Jimmy Carter. Joyce Clark: President John F. Kennedy and his call to action with, “Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.” What is the role of the General Plan goals and policies in your decision making on development proposals? Joyce Clark: I view the General Plan goals and policies as a blueprint for our city. However, it is created at a fixed point in time and its relevance may diminish over time. It should be viewed
NEWS
in that context. Just as a house’s blueprint may have to be adjusted to meet current construction conditions, so too, the General Plan goals and policies may have to be considered as advisory and adjusted to meet current conditions within the city. Bryce Alexander: I would always be alert for appropriate land use. That any growth be compatible with existing features of the community. That there be appropriate buffering zones between types and densities of zoning and that common areas and infrastructure are appropriate for maintaining a desirable place to work, live and play. A healthy General Plan needs to focus on the vision of a city where people want to spend their money, and those general statements need to be a guiding principle for the development of that plan. How important is neighborhood safety, livability and compatibility in development proposal decisions? Bryce Alexander: These are right at the top of my list of issues. While I do applaud the efforts to bring in the industries that create new jobs, it is equally important to ensure that we are able to retain the holders of those jobs by ensuring our city is a safe and comfortable place to live. I am opposed to the idea of waiting to build out our public safety facilities until they become necessary and relying on neighboring communities to honor mutual aid agreements in order to protect the safety and property of the new growth. The city should be
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proactive in this role; if the city is not willing to commit itself fully in the new endeavors, the city should not be in the expansion business until they are ready to demonstrate that full commitment. Joyce Clark: Creating a holistic neighborhood is very important for our city and is always a part of my decision-making process when considering the viability of a development proposal. Are you supportive of selling publicowned parks and open space for private development? Joyce Clark: Generally, no, but there may be compelling reasons for the city to do so occasionally. I think it’s a situational decision that must be made with careful consideration of all factors while keeping the competing principles of taxpayer cost vs. loss of an amenity in mind. Bryce Alexander: While it is impossible to say I would never be supportive, I am strongly opposed and would not vote for deleting a public-owned park or open space, even if it is poorly used by the public, until we have examined every available option, such as repurposing. Examples of repurposing include shifting a golf course to a public park or perhaps building out a community center on the property. Selling should be the last possible option and only done with public support. This is one example where decisions like this raise questions about the ethics and motivation of such attempts to sell city-owned amenities. SEE COUNCIL PAGE 5
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