McDonald: To the residents of Maricopa
On behalf of my family, we want to wish everyone in Maricopa a, “Happy Holiday Season!”
I want to begin this article with a huge and sincere “Thank You” to everyone who has stood by me during what has easily been the most trying time of my life. We have received tons of support from our friends, family, local business owners and the citizens of Maricopa. To those that stood by us I want to thank you.
Recently, many of you have asked me to run for Mayor of Maricopa. I have fielded this request from friends in the community, business owners, those running for council, residents and even employees within City Hall. I have given this decision a great deal of thought over the past 3 months with consultation of friends, family and key advisors.
I have had exploratory discussions with several key figures, labor forces as well as various board members throughout the city that would be willing to endorse me should I run. All of which were very positive. I believe I would bring an interesting dynamic, fresh ideas and a determined focus to the race. As with anything, there are positives and negatives to any decision made. While this opportunity offers many positives, I am choosing something different. I am not running for Mayor of Maricopa in 2010.
Instead, I want to be father. A dad. A coach.
Because of pending legal action against the city, I do not believe it is wise or ethical for me to run for Mayor because if I were to win, I feel it poses a conflict of interest. I would have to conflict out of any required action on my case and I don’t want my presence on the council to be perceived that I am influencing other council members to vote in favor of my case. That is not fair to them, not fair to the city, not fair to the residents and it goes against everything I have been raised to believe. Anytime a council person conflicts out, the voice of democracy is weakened and public representation is minimized. And while I realize that my situation is only a fraction of the issues and city business that would come before council, I refuse to put myself and the city in that position.
While I firmly believe that I could be an effective mayor if elected, I am choosing my family and my two young kids to receive my full and undivided attention at this time. My son is 3 years old and my daughter just celebrated her first birthday. It was in them and my wife that I found my strength to get through an undesirable summer. Holding my daughter in my arms, listening to her coo, feeding her and changing diapers gave me a jolt of energy that, frankly, had been lacking for some time. I spent extensive time with my son teaching him things, letting him explore and then watched him head off to preschool. He wants to start playing sports soon and I want to coach him as well as other kids. My wife, Marisa, and I spent many summer nights talking. We used this time to reinforce our relationship, a relationship that expands 15 years and dates back to high school, and we became stronger as a couple. We are renewing our vows next summer. My family needs me now.
I only have one opportunity at raising my kids and being involved in their lives on daily basis. Being there for them as well as my wife really means a lot to me. Being a great father and a great husband really means a lot to me. There is no greater joy in the world in my opinion. My dedication to Maricopa has been strong for a long period of time and I would give that same effort if I were to be elected. That time, to better this community, would ultimately come with a costly price tag: time away from my kids and my wife.
I’d like to share one of my favorite quotes: “The father who would taste the essence of his fatherhood must turn back from the plane of his experience, take with him the fruits of his journey and begin again beside his child, marching step by step over the same old road.” –Angelo Patri
You see, God has a plan for everyone. His plan still calls for me to be needed here in Maricopa. Five years ago he needed my energy, my tenacity and my determination to get the parks, recreation and library programs built and off the ground. I take great pride in my accomplishments and awards but that success would never been possible without the support of the city council, my friends, residents and my family. Despite how hard some might try, they can never take away what we accomplished together. There are some people who have made the disingenuous statement “everyone loves the guy who throws the parties,” well, that’s a shortsighted approach to take. Managing three departments was difficult and I recognize that the stress of my legal situation, which dates back to January 2008, probably got the best of me at various points over the past year. I offer my sincerest apologies and ask for understanding and forgiveness. Honestly, I would not want anyone to go through this ordeal.
So here we are, entering the Holiday Season. This is the perfect time for reflection, a time to slow down and become aware of our surroundings. I choose to focus on the positive. I firmly believe that life is what you make it so be happy, say your prayers, appreciate the small stuff and live in the moment a little more often. It’s my opinion that God has a new plan for all of us. Someone else must pick up the torch and run with it while I focus on God’s new plan for me. A local pastor told me recently, “The bible does not say be grateful ‘for all things,’ it says to be ‘grateful in all things.’”
So what’s my plan? I am taking life one day at a time but I make this promise: I will be active in Maricopa. I have no intention of leaving our town despite the rumor mill suggesting that I moved to Phoenix or back to Kansas City. In fact, I spent the past 4 months helping coach the JPW Vipers football team here in Maricopa. I only want what is ultimately best for the greater good of the public.
Maricopa has a lot of issues to face but we must all come together in a collaborative manner and bridge those gaps. There has been enough conflict in our town; it’s time to come together. Several people have pulled packets to run for council and mayor, with a select few being very active in their campaign efforts so far. Out of respect to the two other individuals who have pulled mayoral packets to challenge the incumbent, I will not reveal their names, only the intent. The deadline to file and enter the electoral race is near (December 9) and it’s my sincere hope that all candidates running keep a clean election and maintain a focus to make Maricopa bigger, better and stronger.
I appreciate you taking the time to read this article. Please be safe during the Holiday’s and always remember the reason for the season!
Marty McDonald is a Maricopa resident and former Community Services Director for the City of Maricopa.
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3 Responses to “McDonald: To the residents of Maricopa”
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Marty, God Bless you and your family. Thank you for all that you have done for us. We wish you continued success in whatever God has planned for you.
Marty, we understand and support your decision! We wish you all the success with your new direction, and who knows..maybe in a couple of years, Maricopa will have a Mr. McDonald as Mayor!
Good luck and glad we will still be seeing you around town
Angelo Patri also said:
Nobody is so miserable as he who longs to be somebody other than the person he is.