Q&A with the Buckeye Sun
published 5/16/08

The Buckeye Sun: What do you think are some weaknesses in the current Buckeye Town Council and what steps will you take to strengthen the Council if elected mayor?

Jackie Meck: We have recently seen a number of last-minute decisions rushed to the table, and this weakens credibility.  As mayor, I would seek to build consensus and communicate as much as possible to prevent the appearance of hasty or behind the scenes politicking.  You can’t always get everyone to agree, but at the end of the day, if we are working for the benefit of our citizens and not ourselves, we are moving in the right direction.

We now have districts that the council members are elected to represent.  Many of the council members have served in an “at-large” capacity and are acclimating to their new role.  I will continue to encourage them to represent the voters from their districts and to look to advocacy and advisory groups to give input to their decisions, be open and available to communication with their constituents, and to remember that Buckeye is a growing community that encompasses over 630 square miles. 

The Buckeye Sun: How do you plan to measure the effectiveness of both the assistant and regular town managers and what action would you take if you find they are not being effective?

Jackie Meck: Every town employee serves the citizens of the town, including the town manager and staff.  I expect the same from them that I expect from myself…decide what is important to accomplish as it relates to effective government and constantly improve.  The residents must know you are listening. 

Again, I do not believe in micro managing, however if it becomes apparent that the town is not being well served by the town manager, any decisions made must come from all seven members of the council.  A mayor cannot make that decision on his own.

The Buckeye Sun: What do you see as the role of the town manager, council members and department heads and how do they work together?

Jackie Meck: All of these roles must work together for a shared vision.  Buckeye must be seen as a place that welcomes jobs and economic development.  Department heads are hired to do a job because of their knowledge and expertise in their field, and they must be given the latitude to do their job. 

I believe that respect and communication is a key component in all entities working together effectively. The town needs stability and all employees need the opportunity to succeed at their jobs.

The Buckeye Sun: Do you think the General Plan, which is on the General Election ballot, will be effective if approved by voters?

Jackie Meck: A lot of time and effort was devoted to developing the General Plan.  It is a comprehensive plan that takes into account recent and potential future growth.  It is important that we approve this plan so that we can move forward.  As Buckeye continues to grow, there will be updates that will need to be made to accommodate changing future needs. 
 
The Buckeye Sun: What qualities do you hope to see in the next Buckeye Town police chief? Also, what policies and programs, if any, would you like to see continued that were implemented during former Chief Dan Saban's tenure?

Jackie Meck: I want to see a strong leader who elicits respect from the police force and the community.  Our residents need to feel safe.  I also support “Meet and Confer” which is a way to maintain open communication between the departments and the council.  It is not the mayor’s job to run the police department, however, the Police Chief, and all of the town department heads, deserve the support of the mayor and the council.

I would like the police department to continue developing a plan that incorporates input from its employees and the community.  We also need to continue upgrading our department with educational opportunities and creative ways of increasing the effectiveness of our officers while reducing crime. We need to provide opportunities that encourage officers to enhance their careers within the Buckeye police department.  I would also like to continue pursuing community partnerships like the Faith Builders Public Safety Partnership.

The Buckeye Sun: The town is currently posting a position for a Main Street Director. What do you see as this person's responsibilities and functions and what should their priorities be?

Jackie Meck: The Main Street Director’s focus should be on gathering information on ways to improve downtown Buckeye and making it welcoming and accessible to all Buckeye residents.  Several nearby cities, including Glendale, have successfully accomplished this.  The director needs to meet regularly with representatives of the business community to discuss ways of improving such things as parking, advertising, and providing handicap access throughout the downtown areas.