As a candidate for the Benson City Council, my commitment is simple and unwavering: Benson First means putting residents back in the pilot's seat, where we belong.
For too long, we've been treated as passengers, told what will happen instead of asked what we want for our quiet, rural town.
Right now, council agendas basically say:
"We're doing this. Come talk us out of it." That puts residents on defense, fighting to stop something already decided. This is why so few show up: our voices rarely change minds.
My plan flips it:
"We'd like to do this. Convince us it's good for Benson." The burden is on them to prove it benefits our town, not on us to prove it doesn't.
One small wording change turns a "tell" into an "ask" and puts power back with the Benson residents, and that's how Representation works, Actually!!!
I will collaborate with Planning & Zoning to make I-2 Heavy Industrial zoning far less desirable for high-risk industries, tightening criteria for air/water/emissions-heavy uses, adding mandatory independent impact reviews, and ensuring stricter buffers near homes, the San Pedro River, and sensitive areas.
Benson's zoning empowers voters through referendums on major changes, and for any I-2 project needing state or federal air/water permits (which directly impact public health and safety), residents must have the final say.
These aren't administrative rubber stamps; they are life-altering decisions that require community consent, not top-down "approval.
Our city budget must refocus ruthlessly on core public health and safety responsibilities, the very reason cities exist.
That means prioritizing the new fire station urgently needed for the health and safety of our Big, Little Town, and infrastructure over non-essentials like the ongoing golf course subsidies, hundreds of thousands annually in losses, or last-minute Country music festival Fund's despite public pushback, and organizers' own plea to Vote No.
Health Over Wealth is suing the City of Benson and ADI, as well as the ongoing AG investigation into open-meeting law violations shows that many irregularities exist. Revocation after due process is a legitimate tool we can use when public health and safety are at stake, exactly why the CUP was rushed without proper input.
Low meeting attendance isn't apathy, it's learned helplessness, because our voices never changed their minds.
No more drifting off course, I'll work tirelessly to make our council the reliable autopilot again, with gauges wide open and residents firmly at the controls.
This recall on May 19 is our chance to reset the course.
Vote Mark Boyle May 19.