Tucson needs change: Patterson for Mayor 07?

Daniel R. Patterson in the Wall Street Journal

UPDATE, 3/29: Dan P. for Mayor (?) website

TUCSON -- I've pulled papers from the city clerk to consider a run for Tucson Mayor.

I'm an independent, pro-community progressive centrist, and fiscally responsible Democrat. I have business experience, and important city experience as a Tucson Planning Commissioner and President of the Santa Rita Park Neighborhood Association.

I'm an Ecologist and Southwest Director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility. My family and I live downtown. I helped get Reps. Gabrielle Giffords and Raul Grijalva elected to congress.

With Walkup, city residents are not getting much return on their investments in Rio Nuevo, growth management, water, and other programs. He's is a nice enough guy, but the former Raytheon executive hasn't accomplished enough for our city since taking charge in 2000.

Diverse voices are calling for a new Mayor.

"...Walkup has often been described in his seven years in office as Tucson's best cheerleader. His comments prepared for today's annual State of the City address will keep that description intact. Walkup's prepared remarks, for a speech that in essence is the opening salvo of his 2007 campaign for election to a third term, were long on cheers and platitudes and short on substance..." Tucson Citizen editorial, Jan 26 07.

"We’ve had enough cheerleading. Walkup’s monthly comments to Bill Buckmaster on KUAT-TV 6’s “Arizona Illustrated,” John C. Scott on KJLL 1330-AM and other media reporters don’t match reality. In every interview, the mayor assures us the Rio Nuevo downtown development project and other city efforts are “right on schedule,” and “going as planned,” with good things coming very soon. Many Tucson voters disagree. They’re critical, not just of Rio Nuevo, but also of traffic and transportation issues, growth, the ordeal of doing business with the city, and rising taxes and fees. ...someone should run. Tucson needs a leader and doer..." Inside Tucson Business, Steve Emerine, Mar 19 07.

Tucson needs a positive change at the top, and that could be Daniel Patterson for Mayor.

Mar 15 post updated Mar 19