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"Maricopa
County District 5 Supervisor endorses Meck"
I am writing in support of Jackie Meck who is
running for he position of mayor, town of
Buckeye. I have had the pleasure of working with
Jackie on various projects such as the El Rio
Water Course Master Plan, which will provide
flood protection for Buckeye and enhance
recreational amenities.
Jackie and his family have been truly dedicated
to the town of Buckeye for over 50 years. Jackie
will be able to bridge the gap between "old
Buckeye" community and the "new Buckeye"
community. He has the leadership skills to pull
the council, administration and staff together
in a team effort to deliver positive results
from the town of Buckeye.
I wholeheartedly support his candidacy and urge
the voters of Buckeye to vote for him on May 20.
Mary Rose Wilcox
Maricopa County Board of Supervisors
District 5
"Maricopa
County District 4 Supervisor endorses Meck"
As a Maricopa
County supervisor, I am tasked to have a
regional view of issues facing this community. I
pride myself for forging partnerships to address
problems affecting the West Valley.
One of my best affiliations in the Southwest
Valley has been with Jackie Meck. His
involvement and participation in the El Rio
Restoration of the Gila River and a variety of
other projects with Maricopa County over the
past 10 years has been a real benefit for the
residents of Buckeye.
You can always tell a lot about a person by the
way they act when nobody is looking. A few years
back when the town of Buckeye wasn't being
represented on MAG, Jackie attended and
participated in meetings even though he couldn't
vote. His unselfish commitment to represent his
residents at these meetings showed me true
character.
Jackie has knowledge, leadership and a personal
acquaintance with many of the West Valley
political leaders who will serve the town during
these challenging times.
Max W. Wilson
Maricopa County Board of Supervisors
District 4
"Maricopa County District 3
Supervisor endorses Meck"
It is my honor and privilege to support Jackie
Meck in his campaign for mayor of Buckeye. I
know Jackie to be a dedicated worker who has the
historical perspective and vision to guide
Buckeye.
Jackie has demonstrated his long-time commitment
to the town by previously serving as a mayor,
councilman and Development Board member. The
knowledge acquired through serving the citizens
of Buckeye in these positions sets him apart.
Jackie is a well-respected peer among West
Valley leaders. Among other accomplishments, he
has demonstrated his commitment to the West
Valley and Buckeye through his work on the Tres
Rio restoration of the Gila River and his
leadership on Fighter Country Partnership to
support Luke Air Force Base.
Please join me in supporting Jackie Meck to lead
Buckeye.
Andrew Kunasek
Maricopa County Board of Supervisors
District 3
As
Superintendent of Buckeye Union High School District
#201, I have worked with Mr. Jackie Meck on a variety of
school and community committees and projects over the last
five years. I have found him to be a dedicated, hard
worker focused on the continuous improvement of the Town of
Buckeye and the greater Buckeye Valley. He seeks to
stay current with the latest trends and data available
concerning issues at hand to assist with accurate
decision-making.
I have found him to be
supportive of education and schools in every sense of the
word. He cares deeply about schools being the best
they can be in providing optimal learning opportunities for
all students in order to ensure a qualified workforce for a
strong future. He attends many school functions and
assists with numerous requests for assistance with donations
and fundraising.
In addition to all of the
above, Jackie Meck exhibits pride in all that he does.
He is a positive, energetic moving force in his many
involvements. Jackie truly understands the importance
of honoring our past, facing the present, and preparing for
the future.
Please cast your vote for
Jackie Meck for Mayor of Buckeye.
Dr.
Beverly J. Hurley
Superintendent
Buckeye Union High School District #201
I support Jackie Meck
On March 11, Buckeye selected two out of three
candidates running for mayor. I wrote a letter
to the editor supporting Jackie Meck for mayor
prior to that election because I am deeply
concerned about the future of Buckeye.
Two months have passed since that election and
my concern is even greater now. The need for
strong leadership, knowledge and experience is
even more evident as this campaign moves to a
close. Jackie Meck has demonstrated his
abilities in a positive manner in all three
areas. He is a life-long resident of the Buckeye
Valley and along with his family has been
involved in community affairs for many years. I
believe his record over the years demonstrates
his dedication to Buckeye to be unquestionable.
Much has been said about the need for "new
blood" in this race. New blood is good in any
organization but I question if new blood starts
at the top.
On May 20, Buckeye will select a mayor to serve
for the next four years. My choice will be the
candidate with knowledge, experience and the
ability to lead us through what will probably be
challenging times. I urge the citizens of
Buckeye to join me in voting for Jackie A. Meck,
mayor of Buckeye.
W. Bruce Heiden
Buckeye
I am voting for Jackie
Meck for mayor of Buckeye.
Buckeye is rapidly changing into a large city
and we need a leader who has the experience and
dedication to lead us forward. Jackie has proven
repeatedly that is a capable leader and is
willing to dedicate himself to whatever it takes
to do what is best for Buckeye. The Arizona
Republic has recently reiterated their strong
endorsement of Jackie and he is also endorsed by
the West Valley View. I have found him to be a
man of character who is easily accessible and
believes in open government.
His list of accomplishments on his website is
extensive. In sharp contrast, his opponent,
according to his own website, has minimal
administrative experience. We do not need an
on-the-job trainee as mayor of our growing town.
This is a crucial time in the history of Buckeye
and we need a proven leader who can and will be
available full time and has the experience,
skills and contacts necessary to be an effective
leader and ambassador for our town.
Please join me in supporting Jackie Meck for
Mayor of Buckeye on May 20th.
Jeremy Hoenack
Buckeye
Meck is man of integrity
I would like to endorse Jackie Meck for mayor of
Buckeye.
One of the major needs of Buckeye as we build
into the future is job availability and Jackie
Meck will be an excellent salesman to attract
businesses to our town. He is a man of
integrity, has passion, know-how, track record
and the commitment to get things accomplished.
Jackie has the vision to transition Buckeye into
a major force in the Valley.
Gerry De Guzman
Buckeye
Meck
dedicated to Buckeye
I am dismayed
at the negative campaigning that the supporters
of Jackie Meck's opponent have engaged in.
Jackie Meck is a person of integrity who fell
upon some hard times some 25 years ago.
Character is not determined by the problems that
come our way, but by how we face those problems
and grow through them.
I attended Jackie's retirement party in January,
where I could hardly find room to move as scores
of people filed in to pay tribute to their
friend and co-worker and his vast
accomplishments. He had obviously grown through
his trials.
Calls and letters have come in from many of
these people, supporting his campaign for mayor
(and yes, they write their own letters), as they
have personal knowledge of Jackie's leadership
abilities and ability to look to the future.
In retirement, some choose to travel, some to
purchase second homes, and others choose to
spend their time and money in a variety of other
ways in which they find fulfillment and
satisfaction. Jackie loves to serve Buckeye, and
has proven this time and again through his
involvement in such endeavors as the Tres Rios
project, Agribusiness council, Development
board, Fighter Country Pilots through Luke Air
Force Base, Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, and
Elks Club, just to name a few.
He was selected as Buckeye Citizen of the Year
in 2005, Volunteer of the Year in 2006, and one
of the "Top 24 movers and shakers of the West
Valley" in February.
His motivation to be mayor stems from his desire
to serve Buckeye and he has chosen to invest in
that endeavor - it is that simple.
I look forward to having Jackie as mayor of
Buckeye and the positive change that he will
bring during the next four years.
Robin Polk
Buckeye
Meck passionate about
Buckeye
My wife and I live in Buckeye and love this
community. I'm a retired combat firefighter. We
own a small business here operated by my wife. I
work with troubled youths at Verrado High
School.
Jackie and Verlyne Meck have become good friends
and our paths cross frequently in the community
through volunteer work, events and fundraisers.
I'm writing in support of the only real choice
in the current mayoral race for Buckeye - Jackie
Meck. The Mecks have spent their lives in
Buckeye and raised their children here.
The recent letters that have maligned Jackie
range from ridiculous to outright lying - from
name-calling by people who don't live here, to
someone with questionable motives and character
attacking Jackie and Verlyne about their
relationship with one of their daughters.
Jackie and Verlyne's financial troubles of more
than 20 years ago have also been misrepresented.
When interest rates soared to 21 percent and
many people were filing bankruptcy and simply
walking away, Jackie filed for protection under
Chapter 11 and paid back his debts through the
court. I'm not naïve; I get who is behind all
this nonsense.
Jackie feels so passionate about this community
that he has financed his own campaign. There
have even been negative comments written about
this, saying this was somehow financially
irresponsible. Jackie and Verlyne have also
given a lot of money and time to the teen youth
groups in our community and they don't have any
teens here. Does that make them irresponsible or
are they community leaders?
The newspapers in our community endorse Jackie
Meck because they have looked carefully at both
candidates.
Our city is at a crossroads and this decision is
too important to put a mistake in the office of
mayor. I'm voting for Jackie Meck.
Tim Jolly
Buckeye
Meck is the right man for
mayor
Jackie Meck is
a leader with the background, energy and vision
to lead the town of Buckeye from its small-town
roots through its transition into the Buckeye of
the 21st century.
My association with Jackie goes back many years.
We have worked together as leaders of major West
Valley water providers. I have assisted Jackie
in his effort to prepare the Buckeye Water
Conservation and Drainage District for its
coming transition from agricultural provider to
serving municipal water needs.
Most recently, we have worked together on the
board of directors of Westmarc. I have found
Jackie to be a principled leader with a keen
vision for the future.
Jackie has a track record of environmental
stewardship with his leadership on El Rio Water
Course Master Plan and support of the Tres Rios
Nature Festival. Jackie has demonstrated his
support of education through decades of service
to the Buckeye schools. His dedication to
community is evident in his previous years of
service to Buckeye as councilperson and mayor.
Jackie's service to Westmarc has proven his
commitment to the larger West Valley community
and our mutual prosperity.
Without a doubt, Jackie Meck is the right person
to lead Buckeye at this critical time in
Buckeye's growth as a community. He has the
strength and leadership to bring diverse
communities together into a single thriving
Buckeye - a Buckeye that is ready for the
challenges of the 21st century.
I support Jackie Meck for mayor of Buckeye and
urge the voters of Buckeye to cast their votes
for Jackie Meck on May 20.
Ray L. Jones
Chairman, Westmarc
Phoenix
Buckeye needs Jackie Meck
What if Buckeye were growing at a phenomenal
rate?
What if Buckeye's town government had an annual
operating budget of over $200 million and over
500 employees?
What if Buckeye was going to face a myriad of
vital political, economical, environmental,
developmental, organizational and social
challenges over the next several years?
What if Buckeye needed change?
What if Buckeye still had a chance, with the
right leadership, to successfully manage the
growth and challenges that are before us?
What if Buckeye desperately needed an
experienced, here-for-the-long-haul mayor?
Well, Buckeye, all these "what ifs" are real and
upon us!
Buckeye's next mayor must respect the past
enough to learn from it and yet know that we do
not want to repeat it. The mayor must be a
seasoned leader with the wisdom, grace and
vision to guide us through the many challenges
we are currently facing as well as the ones yet
to come. The mayor must establish priorities and
lead us forward with a focused plan that targets
change where it is needed most.
I am convinced that Jackie Meck has just the
skill set Buckeye needs. He has successfully
managed a governmental entity, so he understands
the nuances of the business of government. He
has firsthand knowledge of the political
processes and players in the West Valley, the
state Capitol and even Arizona's elected
officials serving in Washington, D.C.
He and his family have a long history of serving
Buckeye, including Jackie's years of announcing
at parades, community events, demolition derbies
and the like. Jackie's proven leadership
abilities, experience, energy, integrity,
passion for the communities and availability
make him the perfect candidate to lead Buckeye
through our best years yet.
It all adds up. Buckeye needs Jackie Meck as our
next mayor.
Craig Jones
Buckeye
Jackie Meck is a man of vision
In discussions
about Jackie Meck running for Buckeye mayor, no
one has mentioned Jackie's personal connection
to the environment and outdoor-recreation - this
is the man I know and respect.
For five years, we have worked together on the
Tres Rios Nature Festival. He seizes the day and
makes things happen. He has proven to be a man
of integrity and reliability and has a strong,
personal commitment to the environment.
He is a man of vision - one is to see the river
restored, to create a place where his grandkids
can toss in a line or just wet their feet, where
people can walk along the banks and picnic, or
spend a day of solitude enjoying relaxing in the
beautiful habitat. Just imagine a river that
teems with life and is safe to enjoy.
All communities need leaders with vision and
action. Jackie is both. He is the chair of Tres
Rios, on the El Rio team, active in his church
and is the leader of Fighter Country
Partnerships. He is committed and reliable. He
is a man of action, who works for his beliefs.
His actions speak louder than his words.
Jackie loves Buckeye. His roots run deep - real
deep. He believes in what Buckeye was and
thrives on what it can be. He desires to see
history and future woven together. He wants open
space, hiking mountains and my favorite - rivers
to walk! Like the cottonwoods that should line
the banks of the Gila River, Jackie is faithful,
solid and teeming with the potential of new
growth!
In the discussion about who is best to govern
Buckeye, I hope that the residents will share
his vision and believe in his leadership. I
believe the entire West Valley will benefit with
him as mayor!
Heidi
Vasiloff
Tres Rios Nature Festival Coordinator
In the eight years that I
have been connected with Buckeye, I have not met
many as committed to the town as Jackie Meck. A
native of Buckeye, he has proven his dedication
and love of the town through his multiple public
service commitments.
His zeal for the
town is multi-faceted and range from his love of
the school system to town history, and from
business development in Buckeye to promoting
Buckeye throughout the rest of Arizona. His
involvement with the school district includes
his time as a football and baseball coach for
Buckeye Union High School, as well as time spent
on bond committees. His passion for Buckeye and
its history has motivated Jackie to dedicate
time to Pioneer Days and the Buckeye Valley
Museum. Jackie, has also, always been supportive
of business development in Buckeye, serving as
Past President of the Buckeye Valley Chamber of
Commerce and recently serving on the Buckeye
Development Board. Some of his greatest
contributions have come through his role on the
Town Council and as the Mayor of Buckeye.
At the Buckeye
Water Conservation and Drainage District, Jackie
initiated changes that benefited the operation
of the District and the employees. He instituted
measuring devices to gauge accurately supply and
demand and created procedures to make sure
everyone received their allotted orders. For the
benefit of the employees, Jackie brought health
insurance and the Arizona State Retirement
System to the District.
I had the
benefit of working for Jackie for nearly a year
and was always impressed by his leadership, his
ability to make quick decisions, his vast number
of contacts, and the way that he encouraged and
empowered District employees. Always looking
toward the future, Jackie has positioned the
District well for years to come. I am sure that
he will do the same for the Town of Buckeye.
That is why I endorse Jackie Meck for the next
mayor of Buckeye.
Ed Gerak
General Manager
Buckeye Water Conservation and Drainage District
Buckeye
Jackie Meck is a true
statesman
"I think it is often forgotten that when someone
decides to run for elective office, what they
are officially doing is applying for a public
service job. They spend days, weeks and months
presenting their resume to the people who will
be hiring them for the job.
I personally can't think of a better candidate
and resume than Jackie Meck for the position of
mayor of Buckeye. Jackie is a native of Buckeye
and over the years since I've known him, his No.
1 concern, right after family, is the welfare
and future of the town of Buckeye.
Jackie is a true public servant, a people
person, someone who is acquainted with process,
organization and organizational skills. He is
acquainted with many state and federally elected
officials, which is important when you are a
mayor of any community in Arizona.
Jackie has a vast working knowledge of local
government, especially when it comes to services
that city governments are required to provide.
He especially understands our most important
natural resource, water. Having been the general
manager of the Buckeye Water Conservation
District, he has a unique perspective of how
important water is to about every facet of our
lives.
Jackie recently retired, which means his will be
able to devote his efforts full time if
necessary to serve the good citizens of Buckeye.
If I were to describe Jackie in one sentence, I
would say that Jackie is a true statesman. A
politician is someone who looks to the next
election; a statesman looks to the next
generation.
Please vote for Jackie Meck."
Chris Udall
The purpose of this letter is
to support Jackie Meck for Mayor of Buckeye.
Our Beautiful Arizona Estates neighborhood shares common
boundaries with Buckeye, and we are Maricopa County
residents within the Buckeye planning area. During the past
two years, we have worked extensively with Buckeye on
rezoning a planned subdivision north of our neighborhood.
The developer’s plans would have resulted in significant
adverse impact to our property values, the safety of our
streets and our quality of life.
Jackie Meck, an alternate on the Buckeye Planning Board,
listened to our concerns and visited our neighborhood to get
a first hand view of the issues. Meck demonstrated his
problem solving approach by understanding the issue,
reasonably considering all points of view and working with
multiple parties to craft a solution that considers the
needs of current residents while also looking towards the
reality of future growth and development. During this
process, Meck showed that he has the confidence and
credibility to stand by his word, mean what he says, and do
what he says he will do. These are the true qualities of a
leader.
During the Buckeye Planning Board meetings, I saw time and
again that Jackie Meck’s depth of knowledge facilitates wise
decisions considering previous commitments, known hazards
and possible benefits. This is the background and experience
that will move Buckeye towards future growth while also
avoiding potential pitfalls.
Jackie Meck has been a good neighbor to work with, and he
has my highest recommendation for the Office of Mayor.
Jackie Meck knows how to work effectively with other
entities to get things done and he knows how to move Buckeye
forward into the future.
Jean Gray Huerta
Buckeye
Meck is who Buckeye
needs
"I am writing to express my unwavering support
for Jackie Meck for mayor of Buckeye. This town
needs leadership, leadership from a proven
leader. Jackie Meck is that candidate. Visit his
Web site at www.jackiemeck.com to see the long
list of areas he has served his community and
beyond.
He doesn't just expect things to happen, he gets
involved and makes them happen. This is the kind
of person we want leading Buckeye during this
crucial time in our town's history.
Buckeye is growing so quickly and we must have a
mayor who knows Buckeye's past and can more than
adequately plan for its future. We need someone
who will get more jobs and services for Buckeye
such as hospitals and universities. We need
someone to be a strong voice for Buckeye to get
some much needed relief to the West Valley's
freeway congestion. We need Jackie Meck!
Please go to the polls on March 11 and elect the
best person to lead Buckeye in the right
direction. Don't assume your vote doesn't count,
every vote counts. The stakes are high and your
voice needs to be heard."
Amy Lovitt
Buckeye
I have given great thought
to the question “What does it take to be a good
mayor?” I look at this selection as a
business decision. What is best for Buckeye at a
time when we are exploding in growth? Who has
the knowledge, experience and commitment to take
us to the next level and protect our lifestyles
that we have embraced all these years.
For years,
Jackie Meck takes a day every six-seven weeks to
drive the entire community to make notes on how
the developments are coming along and how they
are sustaining themselves. When developers came
before the council, Jackie visited the areas
where the plans are being made, attempting to
determine the impact of the development in that
area.
Water supply and quality are of importance to
all of us. We are fortunate that Jackie has an
extensive knowledge and background of water
issues. Jackie also has begun a water study
group that is investigating the groundwater
availability as we transition from a farm
community to residential. No water … no
development … a very important issue.
Jackie has attended the meetings of the Arizona
Association of Government, where mayors discuss
and find solutions for the various issues facing
the state, such as highway funding. He also
established communication with Sen. Jon Kyl and
State Rep. Jon Nelson, along with Maricopa
County Board of Supervisors Max Wilson and Mary
Rose Wilcox and met with them concerning the
need
for highway funding.
He has also
worked diligently on the El Rio project, which
is a restoration of the Gila River to a
recreational area that we all could enjoy.
The right man
for mayor is Jackie Meck.
Katy Bruehl
Buckeye
This is the first letter I have ever written
in support of a political candidate. I
write now because Buckeye face huge challenges.
We have become a giant, rivaling Phoenix both in
area and in potential population. Our
growth presents us with problems and issues
which concern all of the diverse communities
which comprise our town.
I want to retain
the friendly, small-town flavor of the old west
and yet develop into a forward-thinking,
culturally progressive city. I think
Buckeye's leadership must be rooted in the
values of our past and flexible enough to meld
today's population into a cohesive unit.
I think electing
Jackie Meck mayor would do both. In
talking with Jackie, I know he recognizes the
need to communicate and work together in
building a core area of facilities and services.
He knows we need to develop a stable managerial
structure to develop and enforce codes and
policies for public works, law enforcement,
planning and zoning, building permits, public
safety, road improvements and parks and
recreational centers, etc.
He sees the need
to attract businesses and services like
universities and hospitals. Instead of
wasting hours each day traveling to Phoenix, we
could develop jobs and services of our own.
He also has the experience necessary to work
cooperatively with other western Maricopa County
governments.
I trust Jackie to
consider fairly the various values and
philosophies we bring to the table, to be a calm
voice of compromise in meeting the needs of a
Buckeye based on the past, living in the
present, and planning for the future.
I hope you join me
on March 11 in voting for Jackie Meck for mayor
of Buckeye.
Vicky Estes
Buckeye
I am writing in support
of Jackie Meck who is running for the position
of Mayor, Town of Buckeye. I have had the
pleasure of working with Jackie on various
projects over the years which serve the public
and ensure a sustainable community.
Jackie and his family have been truly dedicated
to the Town of Buckeye for over 50 years. Jackie
will bring a deep understanding our heritage
while providing a clear vision of the future for
Buckeye. His understanding of community
standards and critical issues are essential to
strong economic viability for the Town of
Buckeye. Jackie has the leadership skills to
meet the needs of a growing Buckeye. Mr. Meck
will provide clear leadership at the Council
level and work effectively with the
Administration and Staff to deliver positive
results for the Town of Buckeye.
I support Jackie Meck for the position of Mayor,
Town of Buckeye and urge the voters of Buckeye
to vote for Jackie Meck on May 20th, 2008.
Sincerely,
Paul Hendricks
Director
Central Arizona Water Conservation District
"Jackie demonstrated his
organizational and leadership abilities
following his election as President of the Agri-Business
Council of Arizona (ABC). For many years a
new ABC President was elected annually from the
membership. However, Jackie was unanimously
elected to President for four consecutive years.
"
"I believe Jackie
has a clear vision of Buckeye's past, present
and future and has the knowledge and leadership
qualities to do what needs to done to facilitate
positive future growth. Jackie is a visionary
and is devoted to his hometown. "
[Read Full
Letter]
Stan Ashby
General Manager
Roosevelt Irrigation District
Buckeye, Arizona, for better or worse, is no
longer a small amalgam of farmers and ranchers
eating at the same diner in town every morning,
but instead an increasingly sophisticated and
diverse community that has drawn new population
from the cities and suburbs of California, Iowa,
Michigan, Pennsylvania, Washington, and every
corner of the country. This fast-growing portion
of the Valley is important to all of us and the
challenges and choices ahead require public
stewardship of the highest caliber.
I have had the opportunity to work with and
serve the Buckeye Water Conservation and
Drainage District as an expert witness and
historian. Water is the cornerstone for growth,
progress, and quality of life in Buckeye,
western Maricopa County, and the region. It has
been my privilege to work with Jackie Meck,
whose family, career, and experience, reflect
the essence of Buckeye's values and whose
professionalism and knowledge of water
resources--their development, use, and
conservation--is not only impressive, but also
prudent, rational, and visionary. His leadership
at BWCDD, along with countless years of
community service demonstrate the kind of
continuity and historical perspective that not
only will serve his constituents well but also
inform his decision making.
In addition to his grasp of water and natural
resource issues, Meck touts the value of higher
education in a changing and maturing economic
environment. Indeed he has vigorously supported
locating community college and four-year
university campuses in the City of Buckeye. He
was among the several valley leaders who
encouraged a private university, Franklin Pierce
University, to establish a western campus in
Goodyear. He supports a similar initiative for
Buckeye, thus allowing local citizens the choice
of a private four-year college. Meck's
innovative ideas on higher education should
become part of the public discussion in the
larger context of Buckeye's future economic
development.
On May 20, 2008, I urge the citizens of Buckeye
to vote for Jackie Meck for mayor.
Jack L. August,
Jr., Ph.D.
Executive Director
Barry Goldwater Center for the Southwest
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