Tom Volgy Democrat UA political science professor · Expand Rio Nuevo to include a more revitalized arts district · Bring back Downtown Saturday Night · Upgrade health care

Ballot includes props on light rail system, downtown revival

The election for Mayor of Tucson is in just two weeks, and campus political groups will find out if efforts to get their candidate into office have paid off.

On Nov. 4, voters will choose to elect Democrat Tom Volgy or Libertarian Kimberly Swanson to the office, or re-elect incumbent Bob Walkup, a Republican.

The College Republicans have been busy knocking on doors and making phone calls in support of Walkup, just as the Young Democrats have done for Volgy.

"A local election is even more important than a national election in many ways," Peter Seat, president of College Republicans, said. "Transportation decisions will soon be made, and how some students get to school and get home is being decided this November."

The Nov. 4 ballot will feature two propositions to improve transportation systems in Tucson. Both Propositions 200 and 201 must be approved for the plan to pass, which includes provisions to improve quality and reliability of bus lines and install a light rail system to run through central Tucson and by the UA.

The Young Democrats agree that this election could have a big impact on students.

"I think UA students need to understand that local politics affects them directly," Ricky Hernandez, Young Democrats state executive vice president, said. "There are a lot of university students looking for part-time jobs off campus, and it's important that they realize how the City Council impacts economic development."

The future of the Rio Nuevo downtown redevelopment plan could be impacted, as well. The current Rio Nuevo plan will move the Flandrau Science Center from campus to a larger and more sophisticated facility downtown.

Volgy supports the construction of a new UA science center as part of the proposed Rio Nuevo project, but he would like to see the project expanded beyond the current scheme.

Bob Walkup Republican Mayor of Tucson · Supports the Rio Nuevo downtown revitalization plan · Full-time mayor · Wants to court high-tech industry to the city

"I am very supportive of the science center, but I want the university to go beyond that and redevelop the arts district. There used to be a very strong art district that's kind of fallen apart since I was mayor," Volgy said. "As Rio Nuevo develops, I'd like to bring back Downtown Saturday Night."

Downtown Saturday Night was an arts and entertainment showcase in downtown Tucson that took place on the first and third Saturdays of ever month.

"I see Volgy as making sure that Rio Nuevo does not undercut people who have established homes and legacies in downtown Tucson," said Hernandez.

Walkup has also given the Rio Nuevo project his support, though he would like the plan to remain unchanged.

"I think (Rio Nuevo) is essential for Tucson's future. The science center and other cornerstone projects demonstrate that a knowledge based society is important to our future," he said.

Swanson believes that the Rio Nuevo project is misguided.

"I'm not a big believer in central government. The city shouldn't try to revitalize the arts district downtown when the arts should be spreading through the city," Swanson said.

The local economy will also be a major issue in the upcoming elections.

Walkup said he plans to revitalize Tucson's economy through courting hi-tech industries to locate to Tucson and make the city less dependent on the tourist market.

"I think the area for growth is in sectors other than military, such as life sciences, optics and software development," Walkup said. "We need to keep in mind what kind of job creation we want."

Kimberly Swanson Libertarian Landlord · Doesn't support Rio Nuevo plan · Eliminate property taxes and roll back government regulations on small businesses · Discourage police from going after non-violent drug offenders

Volgy said he is concerned with the way Walkup has handled issues including the economy, transportation, health care and education.

"Over the last four years, the economy has become horrible, and now Tucson is ranked 150th in the nation in job creation," Volgy said. "(Mayor Walkup) has done nothing to upgrade health care or public education, and his answer to the transportation mess in Tucson has been non-existent."

Swanson feels that focusing on benefits for small businesses is the key to revitalizing the Tucson economy.

"Giving small businesses freedom to expand right where they are will create more jobs," Swanson said. "Walkup wants to bring military war jobs to Tucson. I'm not a big believer in war and weapons of mass destruction."

Swanson said her campaign has focused on eliminating property taxes, rolling back business taxes, and rolling back government regulations "that keep small businesses from competing with corporations."

Volgy, a UA professor of political science, has a history of public service in Tucson. He was a city councilman from 1977÷1987 and Tucson mayor from 1987÷1991.

"Volgy had a very successful term as mayor. Walkup is a first time politician with no prior experience running a city of this size," said Hernandez. "I think Mayor Walkup is the kind of guy that's not going to advocate for the people that need his help the most."

Walkup questions Volgy's capacity to serve as mayor while remaining a part-time UA professor, and he feels that his status as an outsider from politics has helped him more than it has hurt him.

"I'm a full-time mayor, and he plans to stay on at the university. He is a long time politician, and this is my first political job. It affects how you make decisions," Walkup said. "In order to be an effective mayor you have to bring people together. I think I'm more of a people person than Mr. Volgy."

Seat said that Volgy cannot work as a UA professor and as the mayor at the same time.

"His mind will be going in 12 different directions. It will be unfair to both his students and to voters," Seat said.

Swanson, best known for wearing a stars and stripes bikini while raising a Celtic rune staff in a past campaign ad for state senate, will be a write-in candidate for the libertarian party in the mayoral race.

"I'm female and young and from a different generation than Bob (Walkup) and Tom (Volgy). Those two are pretty much the same," Swanson said.

Swanson also intends to change the way that Tucson Police enforce drug laws, reminiscent of her state senate campaign.

"As mayor, I would encourage police to not go after non-violent drug offenders, including users of marijuana. This is a waste of police time and resources that could be spent going after violent criminals," Swanson said.