Candidates Holly Grigaitis and Timothy Elinski are engaged in a runoff election Tuesday, Nov. 8, for city of Cottonwood mayor.
Candidate Terence Pratt was eliminated in the August primary election.
Elinski, a contractor who has served on the Cottonwood City Council for 11 years, has also made the financial situation of the city a primary candidacy topic.
Grigaitis, a realtor who has held no official position in municipal government, has committed to one term to alleviate financial issues of concern to her within the city.
Q: What is the issue facing Cottonwood that has most resounded with potential voters? Why has that issue been such a sizable factor for them?
Grigaitis: Wallet issues are what constituents discuss most with me. Whether it’s water bills, city salaries, our new and unnecessary sewer plant or the $84 million on our credit card, citizens are fed up with government spending our dollars so haphazardly. Many people knew intuitively that we could not afford all the things we built or bought over the last 12 years and many of those people met with council but were completely ignored.
That’s the second largest issue. People have lost faith, and feel local government works only for itself, and not for the betterment of the people it is supposed to represent. The people of Cottonwood are not rich. In fact, one out of four of our residents live in poverty and our household incomes are half of the national average. Every dollar government takes is another dollar people cannot spend on themselves. We have raised water rates to the point where some of our seniors feel forced to take a sponge bath instead of a shower, or have ceased watering their landscape. I sincerely hope council is looking forward to righting the many wrongs Cottonwood has perpetrated on citizens the last several years.
Elinski: The issue that has been top of mind for most residents with whom I have spoken is the need for change in the way our government conducts business. There are concerns about the overall debt the city has incurred and how the city informs the public about the way money is spent. I plan on facilitating more open and frequent conversations about the budget, with a more inclusive, stakeholder-based process for discussing our community needs and how we prioritize projects.
Ultimately, I plan a more robust public process through which the budget becomes balanced, and will keep a critical eye on city investments. I will ensure solid returns on any investment of public funds, and that we don’t neglect our basic infrastructure needs with non-essential activities.
Q: How do you sum up your chances of winning this election?
Elinski: I have been campaigning for over one year now with the goal of serving as the mayor of Cottonwood. I have met with and heard from a variety of people in our community and in neighboring towns as well. I have worked diligently to connect with different people of varying ages and backgrounds, civic and professional organizations and current leadership. I feel confident that through these extensive outreach efforts by both sharing my goals and hearing the concerns of so many, I am best prepared to serve and lead Cottonwood.
My goal since the beginning has been to connect with and educate the voters so they can make the best informed decision on who to elect for the next four years. My chance of being elected is entirely up to the citizens. I only want to serve if it is believed I am the best candidate. I trust the judgment of the voters.
Grigaitis: The issues I’ve raised in this election have won the support of an amazingly diverse group and I’m very proud to say my supporters represent the full political, economic as well as religious spectrums. Although conventional wisdom would say a political outsider, running against a 10-year incumbent, hasn’t got a chance, I think this race could be very close. Regardless of who wins, the victory dance will be fleeting, as the agony of reality will immediately appear.
Cottonwood’s next mayor has three options: Make drastic budget cuts, institute massive tax, fee and water rate increases, or preside over Arizona’s first municipal bankruptcy. All options will be highly unpopular, which makes for a shallow and short-lived victory for either candidate.
Q: What would your first orders of business be?
Grigaitis: My first order of business will be to instruct city staff to prepare a realistic and complete budget for fiscal year 2018, based on the income and expenses of the previous year …. Next will be long conversations with all council members to ensure they are informed and completely aware of our precarious financial position.
An immediate hiring freeze is a logical first step, and then a thorough review of all our management positions to determine their necessity and effectiveness.
Elinski: My first order of business will be hold a strategic planning session with the new council to discuss policy direction for the next year and goals for the next five years. The last time council met was nearly two years ago and I feel it is important to see how our goals and priorities have shifted. I plan to use the outcomes of this session to provide new and clear direction to staff to implement policy changes.
Q: How has the U.S. presidential race come into your discussions with voters?
Elinski: It’s certainly been a challenge to campaign in Cottonwood without discussing state and national political races. 2016 has been particularly divisive, but I have worked hard to remind people that our local council and mayoral race is nonpartisan.
The local election is where the rubber meets the road. Your participation locally and your choice for local offices has the biggest impact on you and on the issues that most directly influence you …. Make your community matter.
Grigaitis: This election year has shown America and the entire world just how broken our federal government has become. When legislation is passed with lies and misinformation, when candidates are pre-selected, when the ruling class uses two sets of rules for selective prosecution, you have hallmarks of a banana republic.
Many of my supporters have mentioned how Cottonwood seems to be mirroring the national level. I can’t disagree. During this election year, Cottonwood also saw council candidates selected and not elected.
