Tucson City Council - Ward 6
Mayor and CouncilTucson City Council Candidates Forum Ward 6, July 1, 2025https://youtu.be/aBQyD3u0_qs?si=-QzDXunU5SDymTHPThe Mayor’s role in a city or town is similar to the Governor’s role in the state. As the municipality s Chief Executive Officer, the mayor manages the municipality’s administration and operations. In some cases, an appointed City Manager handles day-to-day operations and staff. The mayor runs Council meetings to establish policy with the Council. Typically, a Mayor does not have the power to veto ordinances passed by the Council.The Council enacts ordinances, sets policies, develops an annual Legislative Agenda for the City, and oversees the city budget and capital improvements program. It responds to constituents concerns at neighborhood meetings through written correspondence, telephone communication, and staff assistance. 4-year term.Why You Should Care:The Mayor and City or Town Council play a significant role in keeping our communities running efficiently and overseeing dozens of programs and facilities that directly impact our daily lives. They determine priorities and spending for indispensable services such as police and fire protection, housing, emergency medical services, municipal courts, trash collection, traffic control, public transportation, parks and recreation services, zoning regulation, and public works, including streets, sewers, and signage.For additional information:https://www.azcleanelections.gov/how-government-works/arizona-mayor
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Jay Tolkoff
(Rep)
What are the top issues of concern to Tucson residents, and how do you plan to address those issues?
How would you build a coalition to address the City’s Climate Action Plan's main issues, such as extreme heat, clean energy, sustainable and equitable transportation, and water resources?
What actions would you take to balance population growth and economic development with quality-of-life issues, such as water availability, traffic congestion, affordable workforce housing, adequate medical services, and quality daycare?
How would you demonstrate transparency in your role as an elected city official?
Public Policy Priorities
Protecting the environment; the place we call home. Bring back trusted and effective public safety. Smart solutions to homelessness and housing. Effective and thorough use of your tax dollars.
Qualifications and Experience
Former Acting President of Domino's Pizza franchise in Pima and Yuma counties. Opened first commercial enterprise on the University of Arizona campus. Cherie Construction owner. East Coast Super Subs and PJ Subs owner.
Endorsements
Pending
Community Service
President Foundation for Creative Broadcasting, Inc. dba KXCI-FM. Founding member Desert Aire-Loma Linda Neighborhood Association.
Education
University of Arizona College of Engineering
Housing affordability, the homeless crisis, public safety, the environment, decaying infrastructure, diminishing water resources, economic development, the fentanyl epidemic and many more issues concern the citizens of Tucson. Which of these top the list depends on whom you ask. The City of Tucson reached out to the public for input during the budgeting process for fiscal year 2025 to 2026. Although, the City made a genuine effort to obtain input as to which issues were of most importance to the public, a scientific poll would provide clearer and more accurate data. I believe it is critical for City Council to understand what issues the community, as a whole, prioritizes and not only the opinions of the persons who can attend town halls and fill out surveys. Once poll results are available, City Council should direct the City Manager to according allocate resources to thoroughly and efficiently address the public concerns. I would make sure we solve problems and not solve symptoms.
Tucson presented The City's Climate Action Plan aka Tucson Resilient Together several years ago. It should be safe to assume adequate research was done to develop the plan presented.Too often government commissions significant research, produces plans and road maps, but fails to execute the critical step of implementing the plan. I do not see the need to build a coalition to address issues that have already been researched at great expense. We need to begin implementing the plan already set forth by doing what will give us the most impact with the human and financial resources available. As with any plan, adjustments need to be made as progress moves along, but if all we do is continue to research and create new plans without ever actively executing the plan, nothing gets accomplished. I would work to make sure the plans and road maps already produced get put into action.
A detailed response requires a lot more than 1000 characters to answer a question as broad as this. Generally speaking, the approach city government utilized in recent history failed to balance population growth and economic development with quality of life issues. This is clearly evidenced by the significant rising crime, poverty levels, deteriorating infrastructure and lack of affordable housing for working people. In order bring financial resources to Tucson, which in turn can reverse this undesirable trend, we must take steps necessary to make Tucson a place where people can live their dreams. We are blessed with great weather, abundant beauty and relative absence of natural disasters. Coupling those with well maintained streets, low crime and access to quality art and culture will attract organizations that will provide career opportunities so desperately needed here. We can balance economic growth with Tucson's personality. We need to improve our image and stop making excuses.
The easiest way to demonstrate transparency is by being transparent. That starts with being authentic, not playing politics. Being a good people representative requires the ability to not just listen, but to hear. Equally important is making sure the constituents know where their representative stands on the issues. Communicating in both directions can easily be accomplished using an interactive ward website which not only accurately presents the state of the city and current issues it faces, but would provide a uncomplicated method for people to give direct feedback to their representative. Of course, town hall style meetings with an emphasis on Q and A time are important, but perhaps we should look at monthly meetings with a representative from each neighborhood association. The reality is effective communication is key to well functioning government. It follows that people need to see results from their efforts to communicate their desires. I will listen and hear and act.
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