http://www.azcentral.com/community/tempe/articles/0414tr-election0414Z10.html

Tempe voters await ballots for council, bonds

The Arizona Republic Apr. 14, 2006 12:00 AM

It's almost election time again.

Early ballots are being mailed to Tempe voters, early voting starts Monday at the Tempe Library and the races soon should kick into the home stretch.

On May 16, incumbent Councilman Len Copple will face challenger Onnie Shekerjian in a runoff election with a seat on the City Council at stake. Voters will also decide the fate of five bond questions that could generate more than $210 million for city services.

Tempe City Clerk Kathy Matz expects that about 13 percent or 14 percent of Tempe's 75,000 registered voters will vote in the general election. Seventeen percent of voters cast ballots in the March primary, she said.

"Generally we see turnout decrease slightly," Matz said.

This week, 11,715 voters who requested early ballots in the primary will automatically get ones for the general election, she said. At last count, the city has received requests for 48 additional mail-in ballots.

The election will decide the political future of Copple, first elected to the council in 1998, and Shekerjian, former president of the state charter school board.

Copple grew up in Yuma but has lived in Tempe for 36 years. During that time he has devoted himself to a long list of city groups, including the Tempe Centers for Habilitation, and Tempe Sister Cities Corp.

Copple was a vocal early supporter for light rail and public transit in general, supporters say, and Copple and other council members helped shepherd light rail over crucial hurdles - including a vote on the city transit tax, which helped bankroll Tempe's share of the light-rail line.

Shekerjian has been active in Valley and state school issues for years, from spending 16 years as a classroom volunteer to helping co-found the Kyrene Parents Association in 1991.

That led to years of activism in school issues, including a brief stint as a Kyrene governing board member to serve out the term of another member who resigned.

The bond election also will be key next month. Specifically, the bonds would raise:

$172 million to increase capacity at several Tempe water treatment plants, improve sewer lines, boost sewer capacity and upgrade the storm drain system.

$14 million to modernize the police department's radio system, computer systems and upgrade the police/courts complex.

$14 million to renovate parks, restore Kiwanis wave pool equipment, resurface the Kiwanis tennis court and improve the library and museum.

$8 million to improve roads, bike paths, street lighting and underground utility lines.

$2.5 million to improve fire stations and equipment, radio systems and acquire land for new fire facilities.