Riedel seeks return as mayor

SAN LUIS, Ariz. - Nieves Riedel, a former mayor and city councilwoman here, is planning a return to politics in her bid for San Luis mayor in next year's elections.

Riedel, the owner of Riedel Construction in San Luis, this week became the first among any mayoral or city council candidates to turn in nominating petition signatures to run in the city's primary election in March.

Riedel is running for the mayoral seat currently held by Juan Carlos Escamilla, who previously told Bajo El Sol he was planning to seek re-election but who has not yet filed nominating petitions.

"In reality, I never retired from political life," Riedel said. "I have in my favor that I have always been present, through my company and personally. I have always been involved in the community."

Riedel, 59, said she was prompted to run by a "lack of leadership and of people with experience on the council. Escamilla is a good kid, his heart is in the right place, but he lacks leadership."

Riedel said she was heartened by the support she got as soon as she announced her candidacy: 37 people immediately pledged to help her gather the nominating petition signatures she needed to appear on the ballot.

If elected, she said, her task will be to help the city recover from "the bad decisions that have been extremely harmful for residents, such as the call center, which has represented a $700,000 annual debt for the city."

Riedel was referring to the city's decision several years ago to buy the former Price Center building, issue $8.6 million bonds to renovate it and then lease it as a call center that would hire San Luis residents.

Riedel contends the call center has not generated the number of jobs city officials had promised.

She cited recent events involving the city's police department as an example of a lack of leadership at city hall.

In September, a former police evidence technician was arrested on suspicion of stealing drug and cash evidence from the department. After the arrest failed to lead to formal charges against the technician, the city announced a department restructuring in which police Capt. Javier Nuno was to cede command to two lieutenants in the department.

But the city postponed the shift, saying it should wait until hiring of a new city administrator who could take part in the discussion of restructuring.

"It's not that (the department) has bad elements; it's that nobody knows who is in charge, whether it's the council, the administration or the captain," Riedel said.

Turning to another subject, she said "it's inconceivable that city employees have gone three and a half years without a pay increases, while they finance private businesses such as the call center.

"Entering office, I would seek (a review) of city finances, so that residents know in black and white how are city finances."

Riedel said she also wants to avoid a return to the days when the council was split between rival political factions.

"I believe the times of groups in San Luis should end. I would like to work on a council made up by individuals and not groups, where all segments of our society are represented.

"I'm not lacking in help" in the campaign. "Groups have joined me, and I thank them. For years, I was part of a group, but this time I will be running on my own."