Candidate Onnie Shekerjian was skeptical of a proposal to extend light rail into southern Tempe.
Shekerjian backs lowering the city tax to $1.35 per $100 of assessed valuation.
the WORST of the 5 evils are: Ben Arredondo, Corey Woods, Shana Ellis
Candidates Corey Woods, an ASU graduate student, and incumbent Ben Arredondo enthusiastically supported light rail.
Ellis and Arredondo are at war with homeless people.
Woods backed keeping taxes at $1.40 per $100 of assessed valuation to fund parks and other infrastructure.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/city3/articles/0131evdebate0131.html
5 Tempe candidates debate taxes, light rail and shelter
Jahna Berry The Arizona Republic Jan. 31, 2006 12:00 AM
TEMPE - The five City Council candidates took sides on extending light rail, a homeless shelter and property taxes during a Monday debate.
The candidates participated in a forum at City Hall sponsored by The Arizona Republic and the Tempe Chamber of Commerce. The contenders were asked questions posed by Tempe residents and the business community. On March 14, Tempe voters will fill three seats on the seven-member council.
The candidates agreed on many issues: They were all wary of supersized condo towers, backed efforts to retain small business and pledged to closely monitor rentals.
But three long-range issues generated debate.
Candidate Onnie Shekerjian was skeptical of a proposal to extend light rail into southern Tempe.
"Who will pay for light rail? I am concerned about running out of money to build light rail," Shekerjian, a researcher, said adding that there could be cost overruns.
Candidates Corey Woods, an ASU graduate student, and incumbent Ben Arredondo enthusiastically supported light rail. It could decrease traffic and could pave the way for transportation to a future reliever airport, they said.
Incumbent Len Copple said an extension would depend on financial support from Scottsdale and Chandler. And Shana Ellis, assistant director of the Tempe Community Council, said that if elected, she would get input from neighbors after first light-rail span is complete.
The candidates also parted ways when a resident asked about a potential Tempe homeless shelter. The city has held community forums on homeless services, but the issue has been tabled.
Woods backed a shelter.
"We should make sure that we are kind to all of our citizens and give them a helping hand when they are down on their luck," Woods said.
Ellis and Arredondo said the community had to be involved in any proposal because of possible neighborhood opposition.
Copple said that he would rather see shelter money spent "providing services to those in need" rather than a building.
The candidates also disagreed about the city's secondary property tax.
Woods backed keeping taxes at $1.40 per $100 of assessed valuation to fund parks and other infrastructure.
Copple, Ellis and Arredondo would like to look at the results of the May 16 bond election and would postpone tax talk until the city examines the budget in the spring.
Shekerjian backs lowering the city tax to $1.35 per $100 of assessed valuation.