Christine Waller is a Marana resident who says she is concerned about her property value.
“I just feel like Marana is not doing proper, like grabbing up proper businesses for tax revenue at the expense of citizens like myself, who you know, I’m for the people, I’m not for money,” Waller said.
Over the weekend, Waller attended an information session about data centers that was hosted by candidates challenging the sitting Mayor and Council.
“Marana for the People” includes council candidates Jackie McGuire, Sue Ritz, Julie Prince and mayoral candidate Greg Johnsen.
More than 100 residents attended the event at a local elementary school, like Yulia Grozman who said she would like to see more transparency from Marana officials, around big projects.
“I don’t understand development plan for the city, like the vision for the city,” Grozman said.
Grozman and her husband Nikolai Morozov have lived in Marana for about three years.
“We kind of have very special interests particularly about operation of our Marana airport,” Morozov said.
The couple said they would like to see elected officials utilize the area surrounding the Marana Regional Airport and attract more businesses to that area.
“That’s a huge potential and they’re not using it,” Grozman said.
After the Mayor and Council [approved] the rezoning of 600 acres for a large-scale data center earlier this year, residents have voiced concerns over issues rezoning, water and power, like William Joseph, who said he’s been interested in data centers for the past two years.
“Its impact on the environment and the community with resources more than anything,” Joseph said.
Things to know
- Marana voters will elect four council members and one mayor
- Council members will serve a four year term (2026-2030)
- The Mayor will serve a two-year term to complete the late Mayor Ed Honea’s term (2026-2028)
- Newly elected officials will be declared elected at the primary election unless a runoff election is required
Who is running for town council
- Jackie Craig (write-in)
- Herb Kai (incumbent)
- Jackie McGuire
- Teri Murphy (incumbent)
- John Officer (incumbent)
- Julie Prince
- Sue Ritz
Who is running for mayor
- Greg Johnsen
- Jon Post (incumbent)
Important dates
- Early voting began/ early ballots were mailed on June 24
- The last day to request a mail ballot is July 10
- The recommended deadline to mail back your ballot is July 14
- Primary election day is July 21
Correction, the last day to request a mail ballot is July 10, not July 20.
