June 25, 2008
Maish Has My Vote for Arizona Senator
Letter to the Editor
Ahwatukee Foothills News

Dear Editor

We in Legislative District 20, serving Ahwatukee, are extremely fortunate. Ted Maish is running for Arizona state senator!

Maish, a native of the Southeast Valley, has resided in our district for 21 years. A retired public school educator, he served the children of Arizona for 30 years. There is no doubt that he will work with the governor to support educational funding that will ensure strong public schools for your children and grandchildren. How comforting it will be to have a state senator who has spent his entire professional life advocating for children.

Incumbent John Huppenthal touts himself as the education state senator, a definite misnomer, unless of course you agree that money should be taken from our grossly under-funded Arizona public schools and given to private schools.

On education issues Huppenthal's record in the Arizona Legislature certainly speaks for itself. He has consistently voted against your children and grandchildren who attend our public school districts and public charter schools by proposing, and voting in favor of, legislation that redirects the under funded dollars that these schools receive to private education.

A long standing, and loud opponent of all-day kindergarten, Huppenthal flip-flopped for political expediency at the last minute when it came time to vote on that issue.

And how can we forget that in February 2005 he told parents in the Kyrene School District that "the cavalry isn't coming" to save Kyrene from its budget predicament, a statement that clearly demonstrated his disdain for public education.

On issues other than education, Huppenthal's record and judgment are just as dismal. Voting in favor of guns in bars is just one example of his poor judgment.

The citizens of District 20 deserve better!

Maish understands that strengthening public education is important to our future, but will also fight for many other issues that are critical to Arizonans. A staunch supporter of affordable and quality health care reform, he will work to make Arizona a leader in protecting working families, children, small businesses and seniors. Maish's unwavering commitment to responsible growth will also help to ensure quality of life in the communities that make up District 20.

Maish is the right person for the job. Being past president of two educational associations, he is a proven leader. A strong family man, Maish, and his bride of 37 years, Karen, will soon become grandparents for the first time.

And best of all, being retired, Maish will give 100 percent of his time and energy to his duties in the Legislature and to serving you, his constituents.

Please join me in supporting Ted Maish for Arizona State Senator from Legislative District 20!

Fred Barlam