Ariz. Senate, Dist. 24: John T. (JACK) Kretzer, Jr.

Name: John T. (JACK) Kretzer, Jr.

Age: 75

Hometown: Hannibal, Missouri

Office running for: Arizona Senate

In district: 24

Political experience: Former Chair of the Arizona Reform Party

Family: Divorced. 2 Children and 7 Grandchildren

Party: Libertarian

Please describe your platform

My personal platform is reform of the political system that has brought the state of Arizona to the brink of bankruptcy. My basic philosophy is you can't spend money you don't have. In the next two years, hard decisions will have to be made to fully comply with the Arizona Constitution limitation on borrowing and to replace monies ‘stolen' by the legislature and the governor. Examples of the weakness of the Arizona leadership will be found on the Nov. 2nd ballot where voters will be asked to allow more ‘stealing' to avoid fiscal constraint.

If elected, what is your first priority?

Introduce legislation to allow the state of Arizona to create a ‘floating budget' where all compensation is reduced equally to balance expenditures with revenues. This legislation would reflect equal reductions in revenues shared with the counties, cities, towns, school districts, colleges and universities. An appropriate title for this legislation would be “Share the burden.”

Who do you think is your biggest challenger and why?

Voter apathy will decide this election. The incumbent is directly and indirectly responsible for the fiscal chaos of the state of Arizona. The Yuma County Republican Party found only one person to run for the Arizona legislature, none for the Senate. The Colorado River Tea Party Chair became a write-in candidate in the Primary Election. Voter apathy was reflected in the Primary Election.

What do you think sets you apart from your opponent(s)?

I have become a pro-bono ombudsman for the citizens of Yuma. When someone seeks to understand what government is doing to him or her, I get a call or visit for help. A major part of my community involvement has been tracking the financial activities of the city of Yuma that began when the city council met at the Desert Hills Golf Course Clubhouse to make a decision to build the “TAJ MAHAL,” aka City Hall, with the help of California-based developer Craig Clark. When Mayor Nelson and city council members Mendoza, Hieb and Shoop decided to create a public policy to build a $100,000,000 arena and preclude subsequent referendum objections by the taxpayers, I applied for and received the required serial number for a referendum petition to have the voters decide. The voters said “NO”!

What would you do to achieve more transparency in government, and should government officials be in charge of managing those efforts?

Given that the Arizona legislators from District 24 appear to report to various special interest groups any activity to inform the citizens of Yuma and La Paz counties will be a plus. Since the Arizona legislature is composed of two caucuses, Republican and Democrat, a Libertarian senator will have to learn how to gather information through the existing legislative system. At a minimum, weekly reports to the District through the existing media and periodic town hall meeting to listen to the voices of the citizens and taxpayers would be a start.

Public notices are regarded as one important way for the public to find out what is really happening in government. Newspapers currently not only print public notices but also operate a free, consolidated, online, searchable database. Some people advocate that public notices should be available only on government websites. Do you agree that the Legislature should change the current law to mandate that public notices be available only on government websites?

No, absolutely not.

What do you think is the biggest challenge right now facing Yumans, and Arizonans?

Electing individuals that will respect and protect the needs and will of the citizens of District 24 and the state of Arizona. Jobs and spending reductions should be the focus of the next session of the legislature. I will propose a “floating budget,” which will retain all existing services and jobs by reducing compensation across-the-board to include elected officials. This approach will be reflected in county and local governments and school districts and the university/college systems.

What would you do, if elected, to help change that?

Introduce legislation to file a federal suit against the president, attorney general, and Janet Napolitano for nonfeasance of office for border security and immigration statutes. This litigation would use the public statements of the federal government in opposing SB1070.

What is one of your strength? Weaknesses (something you'd like to improve upon)?

Strength comes from a career, as a professional engineer and manager, in local, county, and state government and in regional transportation planning. Weakness is perceived, when I believe in something, I am like a bulldog, I will grab on and not let loose until the right prevails. Example is the proposed arena.

What is one thing that you want voters to know?

I believe in “Truth, Justice, and the American Way.” In our current society, those words are overshadowed by individual and collective greed.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

JACK belongs to you.