The Arizona Republic editorial board, West Valley
February 22, 2012
At first blush, the mayoral race in Buckeye appears similar to the 2008 runoff: Jackie Meck, a town native, squaring off against an opponent representing “new” Buckeye.
But this time, Meck has the title of mayor in front of his name and a record of notable accomplishments.
Early voting in the March 13 all-mail election begins this week. Council members Brian McAchran, Robert Garza and Michelle Hess are running unopposed.
We recommend Meck for re-election as mayor.
Meck has been mayor during one of Buckeye’s rockiest periods. With an eye toward growth, the town annexed extensive land holdings in the early 2000s. When the housing-market bubble burst in 2007, so did Buckeye’s plans for development. Foreclosures hit the town particularly hard and home sales just now are showing signs of life.
Town management was also in disarray. There was a revolving door to the city manager’s office and budget deficits called for restructuring and streamlining the town’s departments.
In recommending him for mayor four years ago, The Republic said, “His priorities are finding a qualified town manager, pursuing industries and jobs, establishing better communication and unifying the town’s far-flung residential enclaves.”
Meck tapped Goodyear veteran City Manager Stephen Cleveland to lead the town’s transition. It was a smart choice. He also has put significant effort in arranging job fairs and meeting with businesses looking to relocate or expand in Arizona.
There’s still work to be done in unifying divergent communities in Buckeye, a town spread over 650 square miles. There is a disconnect, certainly physically but also socially, between the old town and communities like Verrado, Sundance and Sun City Festival.
Meck, a lifelong resident, served on the council from 1968-1975 and 2002-06. We believe his council experience and his time as mayor give him the necessary experience to get the job done.
Challenger Thomas Campanella, a five-year resident of Sundance, has council experience, too.
He was a two-term city councilman in Hellertown, Pa., a borough in the southeastern part of the state. Campanella is community manager of the Sundance Residential Homeowners Association and has served on the Buckeye Community Services Advisory Board.
Buckeye, however, is a far cry from Hellertown and Meck knows the town better than Campanella.
Campanella brings a valuable perspective to Buckeye. He already has invested himself in the betterment of the town. We wish he would have sought a seat on town council before leaping into the mayoral race.
Meck is a confident leader who works collaboratively throughout the region to boost Buckeye and the entire West Valley.
He has helped restore confidence in Buckeye government and has earned the opportunity to continue in the job he loves.
