Gusse: Maricopa needs a new direction
Dear Citizens of Maricopa,
I want to thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve each of you as we jointly mold Maricopa into a city that can reach it’s truest potential. As a newly elected Councilmember I am spending a large amount of my time learning how to become an effective councilwoman. However, the experience has been quite interesting due to the fact that every step I take forward is scrutinized and questioned by City Management.
I have reviewed our City Code and the structure of our town is simple. The City Council sets policy and the City Manager works at the will and pleasure of the City Council. However, in our case, it seems to be the other way around.
As many residents may be aware, I was once an employee of the city before being laid off in June of 2009. This fact has created issues between the City Manager, as the working relationship is now inverted. Where I once reported to him, through my chain of command in Development Services, I am now one of the City Manager’s seven bosses. During my campaign, I made reference to working hard for change and equality in City Hall but since being elected I have encountered a great deal of resistance. I have never been candid and have stood strong on my belief that Maricopa needs to seek anew direction with a new City Manager.
I was recently directed by the City Manager to refrain from contacting city staff directly and that any requests should go through Assistant City Manager Patrick Melvin. This is out of the ordinary as other council members have always been allowed to address city staff members. I made a decision to comply to this request and take it one step further. I have informed the Mayor and the City Attorney that I will no longer go to City Hall or show my presence there until this matter has been resolved. As an elected official, I will not tolerate this discrimination nor will I tolerate this infringement upon my First Amendment rights and my ability to do my job, which is to serve the citizens of Maricopa.
At this point I feel that I am being ostracized for wanting positive changes and speaking the truth. In conclusion, I must inform the people of Maricopa that it is a huge misperception that your elected officials are running the show, that is not the case here.
Councilwoman Julia R. Gusse
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28 Responses to “Gusse: Maricopa needs a new direction”
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Hope you have a plan in place and that it is well thought out. ‘They’ will be coming after you.
The whole “city” counsel thing of Maricopa just makes me laugh. It’s like having a “mayor” of ahwatukee but only maricopa’s a shithole lol, I’m voting Mayor McCheese for Maricopa!
Stay home, you will not be missed at Council.
Julia, the people of Maricopa elected you because you claimed that you were going to be an effective leader willing to fight for change. Yet, in your first tangle with City Hall, you have backed down completely and run away with your tail tucked between your legs. Who benefits from your decision to avoid City Hall? Certainly not you and not the citizens of this city — face it, City Hall has won this first battle. For shame — we truly expected more.
She has not backed down. It appears the city manager has thwarted her ability to interact with staff. That means if staff is talking to Julia they can get in trouble and we’ve all seen how the city treats their enemies. She is fighting for change by bringing this into the public eye. She should get her own attorney and file a complaint with the State.
I dint vote for you for good reason….again with the whining…whawhaaaa whaaaaa….grow up…put on your big girl panties and move on…you abrasive heifer
I am one Proud Maricopa Woman, who is glad Julia Gusse is my council woman, Julia has and never, and never will be one who has ran away from the truth, if fact the exact opposite, she will continue until the issue is resolved. Do not let them get you down Julia, Evans is a bully, and there is so much truth to Karen Schaffers complaint, the problem is, Julia can not do this alone, She has tried and she gets dirt kicked in her face, she walks 10 steps and is pushed back 11 and some of you (you know who you are)I am personaly disgusted that you were the people that told her go and take care of business we will be there for you! Bring it all out at no cost,We will be there, you urged her stand for you and do the right thing and now look at her support? or should I what support! Where the heck are you?Pull your heads out of the sand and see the light. Julia is only “one” of the elected person’s to represent this council, where are the others? Where are they? does it not bother you? And when Evans and Smith have the other’s or at least four of them in their back pocket, Sorry People, she is just left out to dry, so now is the time we need to get invoved all you us need topull together and demand for reform of the corruption in the city, or even better, get them out! Now! This is the place that most of us call home! And we are proud of that. Julia keep doing this for the reason you started it. To have a peaceful, safe and great place that a friend, family member or neighbors can live and say, I love Maricopa! Because I know the true Julia and that has always been her message, not all that negative BS your printing, show her support and ask how she can help you and your family!
This will make or break Maricopa, I want to make it! Our Family loves you, and yes, I work for the dark side, that is why I know the truth is beeing told
I am going to watch this fight closely. There has been a lot said about the interworkings out here. This is an internal issue. If Councilmember Gusse feels this strongly about this, and does not feel she can do the job we elected her to do, than it probably needs to be addressed. She is one of 7 people that we have elected to represent us. I would like to hear more on both sides of this coin. Since this has been taken into the public forum, I would like to hear how this plays out in a public forum.
Can we get this on the council agenda for the next meeting? I am looking at this council member to place it on the next agenda. Let’s see where it goes.
This is also what she wants, Not all things go like that at city hall, I think the are talking August 31st for the meeting, Oh thats when Mr, Evans new contract is be signed, interesting to say the least. Well I know Julia did her job good! Lets see if the others will! Council signing contract or not signing contract? My money is on?
They will sign it, because they dont care what the average Maricopa Homeowner/Renter has to say. Its whats good for Kevin, and his Droids, sorry assistants.
By the way the salarys between them (Evans, Dailey, Jepson, Schallis and Melvin)over $500,000.00 a year,I dont think 1/2 of us here will see that in a lifetime. But keep collecting my taxes, because I guess I am stupid enough to keep paying to Pinal county for your salaries of lies and corruption. Even so, if it doesnt catch you now, it will before you meet your maker!Whoever that is to you? I couldnt live with myself knowning the hurt, lies and termoil I have caused in alot of good people’s lifes. Please help her help you. Go Juwels!
By the way:?
voer on July 31st, 2010 3:45 pm
I dint vote for you for good reason….again with the whining…whawhaaaa whaaaaa….grow up…put on your big girl panties and move on…you abrasive heifer
Your just an ass! Painful, arrogant ass! nothing more nothing less, sorry one more, Stupid!
Julia, will you tell us what the circumstances were behind this request so we can better understand what was going on. Who were you talking to, what were you requesting, time it took etc.? What are the procedures for requesting info from City Employees?
This is truly alarming for one council member to be treated differently than others because of race, past employment or just plain spitefulness.
Consider this: Julia got enough votes to be elected. This support is probably pretty solid. I’m thinking a recall of those who vote to retain Evans (if properly timed) would be successful.
By the way:?
voer on July 31st, 2010 3:45 pm
I dint vote for you for good reason….again with the whining…whawhaaaa whaaaaa….grow up…put on your big girl panties and move on…you abrasive heifer
Your just an ass! Painful, arrogant ass! nothing more nothing less, sorry one more, Stupid!
I might be an ass….but you are probably a big dumb whining heifer too…. no wonder you stick up for “Foolia R. Hussy”
Sorry Voer, Just telling the truth, maybe you dont like the truth.
Your painful!
I think it was a big step for Mrs. Gusse to write this article. It is true that there are two sides to the coin, but she is communicating to the public, who she represents, her experience in the short time since election.
There have been long standing questions and/or rumors about the workings of City Hall and Mrs. Gusse was put in a position as an elected representative to find out the truth.
I see know harm in making the public aware, from her perspective at least, of what happens. City Hall, ultimately, works for the Citizens of Maricopa.
Any light that needs to be shed is good, but she cannot do it alone. My understanding is she cannot even put an item on an agenda alone.(Only the Mayor has this authority per City Code) She must have at least one other Council Member vote to make an agenda item.
I think it took courage to come out and “rock the boat” knowing there could be public controversy. However, in the controversy is support to discover the truth.
Leon, are you saying that only Councilwomen Gusse needs to get the one other Councilmember to agree to put it on the agenda?
Where are the other Council members?? Are they going to stand by and let THUG Evans treat one of their own differently?? Council members have interacted with Staff over the years on many occasions.
Why is Evans afraid of letting Ms Gusse dig into the happenings at city hall, if there is nothing to hide??
This guy needs to be given his “Pink-Slip” and walking papers!! Get the hell out of town Evans!!
What a piece of work. Thank my heavenly stars I didn’t vote for her. I suspect she will not even make 2 years let alone a 4 year full term.
Sounds like a bitter ex-employee out for revenge any way she can get it. This is so grade school.
Can you all say that you are happy with the direction this city has gone for the past 6 years? Bad economy, Bottom of housing market, no real jobs to talk about, higher taxes, if so then keep on keeping on. Continue with the puppet council and with a bulldozer manager, but dont cry about it when it gets even worse. Open your eyes and take a look around, because you created it! Be proud of your council, mayor and manager!
Mayor McCheese for Mayor you whiney ass bitches!
The City Council and Manager suck but they have little impact on the overall economic situation.
Not true Chorizo, there have been many times when business have looked to Maricopa to expand only to be told how many hundereds of thousands of dollars it will cost for them to get started, out the door and never heard from again, would they have lasted? no one knows, but give the walmarts the sweet deals, impact fees little to none. Charge those little guys up the ass so we can bring bigger and better, because remember a few years back we were refered to from the City as the new Scottsdale, having more education and top of the payscale, we out beat all but scottsdale on income? give me a break! most of us here are just getting by. Back to your question, are they responsible for the country crisis, NO, but I hold them accountable for my city!
I meant the country crisis in general. In regards to high fees to startup business and overall lack of leadership yes they are to blame there. But for housing look to banks, middle men, and people who can’t balance their checkbooks for blame.
When around 10,000 out of 30,000+ city dwellers show up to vote they have no one to blame but themselves.
That is my point, the people are to blame for not showing up to vote, or then did vote for the same, no change. So they get what they wanted, another 4 years of corruption. Insanity, repeating the same thing over and over but expecting a different result!
“Whaaaaaaaaaaa whaaaaaaaaaaa whaaaaaaaa” … and now she wants to retract her editorials…what waste of a council seat this idiot is….
I did not vote for her because she used the “race card” in her talks too many times. There are always 2 sides to every argument – we need to hear just what she was attempting to look into. How sad that she chooses to be immedately branded a “trouble maker” instead of setting back and getting acclimated to the job first. What did she expect? She only had negative things to say about the council, Mayor Smith and some city employees when she was running for Council. Now she expects them to welcome her with open arms. Instead of whining to the public, she needs to work on a better relationship with her peers.