STEVE OTTO for Town Council
Are you content with your life? My life has been a series of miracles that have led to living in Payson, AZ. I have tried to always focus on the long term, I started my retirement savings at age 26 and never wavered. I have a number of people who I have encountered on my life path that left lasting impressions. One of my favorite quips came from an old rancher/customer, who said “never forget that customers are like sheep, you can shear them every year and they will be happy, but you can only butcher them once.
What are your hobbies, interests, what do you do for fun? My hobbies include collecting art glass, raku style and southwest native pottery. I enjoy off-road travels in my RZR, love motorcycles and motorcycle trips. Adoption of retired greyhounds is my greatest passion, 14 dogs in 24 years, they have provided a “grounding” that made years of business travel less demanding and the Covid shutdown was mitigated by my daily walks with them.
What has been your biggest accomplishment in life? My greatest accomplishments in life are my children/grandchildren. Reconnecting with a girlfriend I unceremoniously dumped in high school after we had both married someone else, gotten divorced and got reacquainted. Carol and I have been together 30 years and counting.
What businesses, boards, committees, sub-committees, charters, commissions, non-profits, foundations, political or not political appointments or groups have you been/or are now a part of? I have been a precinct committeeman for Payson #7, State Republican convention Delegate, parks and recreation Commissioner, involved with Northern Gila County Community Drug Task Force for Rock the Park and drug disposal.
Tell us the story about what made you decide to run for Town Council/Mayor? I decided to run for Payson Town Council after hearing former mayor Evans and Mayor Morrissey discuss the Granite Dells Park project and being removed from the parks and recreation commission with an opportunity to defend myself.
Have you previously run for, or held this, or another public office? I have never run for office before. And interestingly I’ve never been interested in running for office before. I’m not a politician.
What is it you would like voters to know about you that makes you the best candidate? I’m passionately determined to get to the underlaying truth about issues facing the Town of Payson. I don’t have any allegiance to any special interest groups, I’m running for council to serve the residents of Payson.
What is it that you want to accomplish most with your time in office? My first and foremost goal is to restore confidence that Town Hall is being open and honest and residents of Payson are served. I want to get projects finished, tired of the all talk, no finished atmosphere in Payson.
Do you want Payson to grow? If so, how and where do you think growth would most benefit Payson? Payson has to grow or it will die, average age is approximately 60, there is a need to attract young families to Payson. The special interest groups seem to promote growth between Payson and Star Valley but I think there are properties that can be developed within Payson proper.
If you could see into the future, what would you want Payson to be like in 5 years? In 5 years I would hope the Green Valley Parkway extension is finished as an evacuation route, outdoor swimming pool that belongs to Payson and finish the splash pad. Roads and water infrastructure are also hugely important.
What do you think about the status of our rights and freedoms in America? Covid showed every American how depleted our rights have become. Churches closed, Strip Clubs allowed to be open. Town Council meetings closed, Walmart allowed to be open. Health Care workers forced to work without vaccination, fired when vaccine was available.
What part of the US Constitution is the most important to you? Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is most important, without it none of the rest of the constitution would be honored.
What is your position on the 1st and 2nd Amendments? Without the Second Amendment the First Amendment is ignored. The First Amendment was suspended under Covid restrictions and there was no rioting in the streets, there should have been. Without the First and Second Amendments censorship and government overreach will be the norm!
Would you support more regulation or more enforcement from governments? I expect ordnances to be enforced, if the ordinance is unjust change it! No more double standard!
Would you support partnerships with state and federal agencies or local town and county collaborations? Internal Governmental Agreements are widely used and if they benefit the citizens of Payson I’m for them.
Would you support more small businesses or more chain franchises? Small business is the way to establish a town’s identity. Chain business lack strong ties to the community.
Would you support the idea of restructuring education by funding for the individual student vs. the school? Arizona has just tied funding to the children, not the school.
Why do you think gas prices are rising and we are dealing with inflation? When politicians who don’t understand economics clearly policy catastrophes happen. The green new deal is a calculated plan to destroy America.
What do you think about our elections in Gila County and are you 100% confident in the voting process? I’m afraid the resistance to change by Gila County election officials is a threat to election integrity.
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