[Source: Arizona Republic] -- On March 14, Tempe voters will go to the polls to elect City Council Members. Among the questions asked of the candidates by the Arizona Republic was the following: "Tempe has struggled to protect its historical sites. What would you do if elected?"Ben Arredondo: Historic preservation costs money. I do believe it is money well spent, although it may not be available in the quantity that we would like. My record shows strong support for preservation projects. During my tenure we have performed new renovations of the Peterson House, the Hackett House, the Eisendrath House and the Elias Rodriguez House. We have found solutions to save the Farmer-Goodwin Mansion (pictured above) and Tempe National Bank on Mill. We will find a way to preserve the Hayden Flour Mill/Silos that are such a notable focal point. We have preserved the beautiful rock bleachers at Tempe Beach Park and partnered to renovate the baseball field. We have also worked to protect A-Mountain. During my years we have also improved the Tempe Historical Museum and are working to further expand it. Tempe has a rich past that we should celebrate and maintain.
Len Copple: I will continue our efforts to find ways to use private money to fund restoration of city-owned properties such as the Eisendrath House and the Hayden Flour Mill and support their creative reuse. I also encourage more neighborhoods to follow the example set by associations such as Hudson Manor and Maple-Ash to work together for their preservation and protection.
Shauna Ellis: With guidance from the Historic Preservation Commission, I believe Tempe must continue to find suitable partners to invest in Tempe's past. This may be private partners or buildings that are restored with a public use in mind. I have worked in a historic home (the B.B. Moeur residence) since it was rebuilt by the city of Tempe in 1993. I saw first-hand the challenges and opportunities that exist in preserving this home of a former Arizona governor. It is also gratifying to see the interest in the community (almost on a daily basis) in wanting to see and learn about the property. I also continue to witness the pride that the city Historic Preservation Office has in this property. It is very important that Tempe respects its past and I will work with city staff to come up with creative solutions to continue to make this possible.
Onnie Shekerjian: It's exciting to see such enthusiasm for preservation of our historic sites among our private citizens. The city should capture this enthusiasm and aide these private entities in their efforts to preserve our historic sites by (1) encouraging prudent and responsible public/private partnerships, (2) providing coordination and expertise from city staff to share institutional knowledge, and (3) making available any city resources the city already has that would prove helpful.
Corey Woods: As a council member, I would strongly advocate for doing as much as we possibly can to protect Tempe's historic sites. I support the cleanup project that the city is undertaking to begin to restore the Hayden Flour Mill. Tempe should also place a priority on protecting certain older neighborhoods (e.g., I love the Maple-Ash homes). These houses give off a certain aura that should not be destroyed. I will fight to have them preserved. If we don't save pieces of Tempe's past, that history will most likely be lost down the road.
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