Page 9 - the NOISE July 2014

focused on promoting the arts alongside his marketing of the city. “I recently took our PR person downtown to tour of all our galleries. As I introduced her to all the gallery owners, I helped her identify stories she could possibly use to pitch to periodicals nationally and internationally so we can get more attention to our town.”
While Mr. Hasapis has used the arts to promote tourism to the city, he understands the delicate negotiations a city like Flagstaff faces when there is tension between tourism dollars and the needs of the community. “Tourism is a huge driver of this economy. Any decision that government is involved in comes with some decisions that are unpopular because of the community needs,” he said. “The tax increase right now for sales tax, for example, is not going to be very popular, although it is needed. There are some drivers, like Snowbowl in the wintertime — it’s a tough decision to make, but it all must be balanced by community need.”
When faced with tough decisions, Mr. Hasapis would like to see more meaningful conversation. “I’m a big believer in dialogue. I don’t see a lot of constructive dialogue happen- ing with much of city government. I see that happening more and more in our council, but there are people who hold the line,” he said.
“For instance, when I worked to help get the civil rights ordinance passed, I had several conversations with coun- cilmember Jeff Oravits who was opposed to the ordinance. Just when I thought he wasn’t interested in a dialogue about it, he calls me up and says, ‘Jamey, I want to talk more and learn more about this,’ so we went out for coffee. I drove home the idea that a lot of the discrimination this ordi- nance addresses are instances that you probably don’t see because it’s not in your circles, but a lot of people who live it every day experience it on a regular basis — regardless of whether they’re part of the LGBTQ community, or black, white, native American, Latino. Individuals who are a part of a minority group see it in a way those who are privileged don’t.”
While Mr. Hasapis believes the civil rights ordinance is a positive step forward, he sees much of the direction taken
by the city as short sighted. “I feel like this mayor and some members of the council have focused on short term fixes and we need to really focus on those long terms plans of the past, and ask, ‘how is that working,’ and then re-evaluate how to reach that vision.”
Mr. Hasapis’ candidacy is foregrounded by concerns for jobs, housing, and the environment, Mr. Hasapis says he is committed to the city’s still marginalized populations.
“While we’re on the subject of the civil rights ordinance, I think it was a great move forward, but I think it’s a little lax. I’d like to see more teeth to it,”he said.“There are still people feeling who fear. I’d like to see more support.” And for Mr. Hasapis, this support comes with a beneficial economic connection. “When you have rights for all individuals we’ll start attracting more businesses,” he said. “Especially with a lot of the high tech and medical corporations we’re looking at, those businesses coming in here are looking for a very diverse and welcoming and accepting city, and their poli- cies often revolve around that.”
One fundamental disagreement Mr. Hasapis has had with Mr. Nabours is his support of large development projects. Coming from California, Mr. Hasapis has seen the results of it. While the mayor supports large development, recent regulations, Mr. Hasapis believes, have disproportionately impacted small businesses — specifically the regulations imposed on the way businesses can utilize A-frame style signage.
“Some of those regulations were a bit stringent; I mean when you’re walking downtown, you aren’t looking up at the signs above your head. These regulations also have a negative impact that is disproportional to small businesses that are really looking for effective and creative ways to bring people into their businesses,” he said. “I really think we need to start reinvesting in our community by finding ways to support small businesses.” One suggestion Mr. Hasapis offered “to help them make a better go at it” is a tax incen- tive during the first few years of business.
While Mr. Hasapis believes Mr. Nabours is probably do-
ing what he feels is in the best interest, he has noted pro- cedural inconsistencies. “Procedurally, it is supposed to be a truly democratic process. It was upsetting to me that cer- tain people were often given privilege without the rest of the council knowing about it until that moment. In terms of items on the agenda for city council meetings, everybody gets three minutes, yet some people were given ten, and others were even able to give a presentation,” he said.
Mr. Hasapis is also concerned by what he believes is Mayor Nabours proclivity toward outsourcing. When the mayor wanted to outsource gardeners hired for Parks and Recreation, the City Council eventually resisted. “He wanted to get rid of 5 or 6 of individuals at the cost of $20,000 more. That doesn’t make sense; we’re displacing people but creat- ing jobs? It’s a wash,” he said. “Coming from the corporate arena, I’m concerned with how outsourcing benefits the whole picture.”
In his role as tourism commissioner, Mr. Hasapis also over- saw the city’s recent rebranding campaign. “We did that all locally. There was an effort to farm that out to an outside PR agency, but we decided to do it in house with our own tal- ented people. Now our efforts have actually won national awards.”
Mr. Hasapis, as well as a number of Flagstaff citizens, also took issue with Mr. Nabours when he sought to generate funds by selling off 26 acres of city-owned open space, an- nex land adjacent to Buffalo Park.
“Fortunately a lot of folks in the community stood up against it, and the council eventually had to back down. When you get a few hundred people in there, it can really help drive the conversation.” Given that Mr. Nabours won the last election by a mere 300 votes, Mr. Hasapis is hop- ing his campaign will drive the conversation moving into November.
| Kyle Boggs has updated his voter registraion.
kyle@thenoise.us
thenoise.us • the NOISE arts & news • JULY 2014 • 9