Joe Higgins, Tucson-area businessman

Other articles by Erica Meltzer:

Carroll's queries to get no answers Taxpayers paying for officials' guzzlersCounty may buy Tumamoc Hill landYouth-sports plan called non-viableSeized funds often not used for crime warStates, feds allow assets used in crimes to be seizedPreview: Money to help fight crime around Tucson spent on goodies instead RICO funds pay for LaWall report 94 of 110 dogs seized in Feb. are euthanized in one day Proclamations cover a lot of ground; and a lot of events; and ...

Driver/Transportation
Pioneer Landscaping
Drivers/End-Dumps Trades/Construction
Paragon Electric
Electricians Health Care
Visiting Angels
Caregivers Dental
Dr. John Carson, DDS, PC
Dental Asst/Treatment Coordinator Driver/Transportation
Allied Building Products
Driver / Rooftop Loader Health Care
Mountain View Retirement Village
LPN Trades/Construction
arizona portland cement
maintenance electrician

Businessman Joe Higgins will challenge incumbent Ann Day in the Republican primary for the District 1 Board of Supervisors seat.

Higgins, 39, has started several local businesses, including Gotta Go Wireless; Sports Buzz, a sports-themed hair-care business aimed at men and children; and Talking Trash, a garbage collection service.

Higgins said he would bring a business perspective he feels is lacking to the Board of Supervisors and added he was encouraged to run by members of the business community.

"I've been through the development process," he said. "I've been through the tenant-improvement process. I've been through the impact fees."

He said county government has become bloated and needs to operate more efficiently.

"County government has really grown on the backs of the taxpayers," he said. "You're going to find in me someone who is really attacking the bureaucracy."

Higgins said he doesn't believe Day has been a strong enough advocate for lower taxes or improving the business climate.

"I just don't see her out in front on the issues," he said.

Higgins said a lot of people in the Republican Party tried to discourage him from taking on an incumbent, but he feels he offers something current supervisors do not.

Day, a former state legislator, is seeking her third term on the board.

Day said she has been active in pushing for issues people in her district care about, like water, traffic and infrastructure.

Day initially supported a proposed countywide half-cent sales tax last year, but she joined fellow Republican Ray Carroll in voting no on this year's budget because it did not provide enough tax relief.

She signed on to a proposed Republican alternate budget for next year that calls for more tax relief than the budget recommended by County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry.

"A lot of people are encouraging me to run because I'm accessible and I listen and I'm very involved," she said, dismissing the idea that she hasn't been out front on important issues. "The bottom line is that they can count on me. People like the results they get from me."

Day said she is excited about the campaign and looking forward to a debate with Higgins.

A graduate of Salpointe Catholic High School and the University of Arizona, Higgins worked on the city committee that made it easier for small businesses to put up A-frame signs, and serves on the board of Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona.

He is married and has two children.