Voters must decide: Same bad decisions or empathy for Gilbert residents

Former Gilbert Town Councilmember Bill Spence is running to rejoin the council.

Courtesy Bill Spence

OPINION — If you only read one thing, please read this: In-person voting began June 24, and Election Day is July 21. The results of the Town Council election will be determined on Election Day. Visit VOTESPENCE.COM or GILBERTCOUNCIL.COM for more information about the candidates.

I’m Bill Spence, a retired U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander and a third-generation Arizona native, born and raised in the East Valley. I have two grown children, a son and a daughter, who both attended Gilbert schools, and a dog named Tahoe.

This upcoming election is unique, and I’m going to do my best to summarize what you are voting for with each candidate. This cycle, the incumbents — Torgeson, Bongiovanni, and Buchli — believe they have made good decisions for Gilbert and will continue doing exactly what they have been doing: more hardship for Gilbert residents. They support maintaining the status quo and do not intend to change course if reelected. Torgeson is from California. Bongiovanni is from New York. Buchli is from Ohio.

Two candidates, myself and Beth Goulden, believe things need to change in Gilbert. Beth Goulden, like me, is also an Arizona native, raised in Gilbert, and a retired law enforcement officer. We both grew up in the area, and we have seen our town change drastically, especially over the past three years. We believe the council, and specifically the three incumbents, have made poor decisions for Gilbert.

The facts over the last three years are as follows:

• The budget has increased to a staggering $2.55 billion.
• Property tax levies have increased.
• Sales taxes were raised, including a Transaction Privilege Tax, or TPT, targeting small businesses.
• Water rates have increased 100%.
• Sewer rates have doubled.
• HOA fees have exploded.
• Debt has increased by nearly a billion dollars.
• Traffic has worsened significantly.
• Roads are continually under construction.
• Thousands of apartments continue to be built and are being built even taller.
• Violent crime has increased.
• Criminal activity involving teens continues.

The list goes on.

I’m not saying anything residents don’t already know. The people of Gilbert are feeling the financial impacts and hardships inflicted by this council every single day. However, the incumbents believe residents are simply misinformed and do not understand. Your pocketbook knows the truth.

There are solutions for our town. There are several ways to reduce the costs of living and doing business in Gilbert. We must reduce utility costs for residents, reduce taxes while increasing business revenue, reduce unnecessary spending, and keep our town safe for our families.

It comes down to a simple choice for voters: Do you want four more years of the same bad decisions, or do you want real change from people who are truly empathetic and understand the needs of Gilbert residents?

Please join me in restoring pride, kindness, and prosperity to Gilbert. Together, we can take meaningful action and chart a new course for our beautiful town and for our families. Vote Bill Spence!

Bill Spence is a candidate for Gilbert Town Council.

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