Green decides against
running for re-election

By Jon Johnson
Assistant Editor
Published on Sunday, November 15, 2009 8:39 AM MST

Safford Mayor Ron Green has decided against running for re-election in 2010.

Green made the announcement Tuesday, according to a report from KATO's Bill Perry. He read the announcement and supplemented it with a pre-recorded statement from Green.

Green refused to give the Courier an answer when asked if he could confirm or deny the report.

"I don't have any comment for you," Green said. "You can call KATO radio Bill Perry and ask him. I don't have any comment. No statement for you."

The mayor then ended the conversation.

According to the report, Green had intended to run for a fourth term but decided against it. He previously had taken out election papers signifying his intent to run.

The report states Green's decision was motivated by personal reasons but does not elaborate on them.

Green is quoted in the report as saying he has a lot of work remaining and plans to be an "integral" part of creating the city's budget and working on water negotiations with the town of Thatcher.

Safford's primary election for mayor and three City Council seats will be March 9, 2010. In addition to the mayor's seat, the seats for Councilors Jerry Hancock, Richard Ortega and Danny Smith will be up for election.

According to Georgia Luster, Safford's city clerk, nobody except Green had taken out papers and listed an intention to run for mayor. Councilor Smith and Olney House owner (Chris) Wyn C. Gibbs have taken out papers but have not decided to run for a council seat or mayor. Councilor Ortega, Bruce Barton and Mary Bingham have taken out papers and indicated their desire to run for council seats. None of the applicants have filed their papers with the city, and the deadline to file is Dec. 9.

Councilor Jason Foutz told the Courier he will relinquish his seat after the December meeting to move to Utah. The council will appoint a replacement, who will remain on the council until Foutz's term expires in 2012.

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Comments

23 comment(s)

a good idea wrote on Nov 28, 2009 6:13 PM:

" Ortega for Mayor and Danny Smith for Vice Mayor. Appoint Talley for city manager. Council Meetings to be held at the El Coronado. "

Why Not wrote on Nov 25, 2009 7:28 AM:

" ED Ragland did nothing but good for the city of safford. "

To Voter wrote on Nov 24, 2009 3:32 PM:

" Didn't you learn anything a few years back? Not Ragland and Talley. "

BBB wrote on Nov 24, 2009 8:24 AM:

" Is Brenda Barton running for Mayor? "

voter wrote on Nov 24, 2009 8:23 AM:

" Okay - lets get ole Van or Ragland to run again. "

jacki wrote on Nov 22, 2009 2:45 PM:

" Opps or a lose-lose situation^ "

jacki wrote on Nov 22, 2009 2:41 PM:

" Boy, "Really"! you hit the nail sqare on the head-this is more than likely a no win situation, who ever gets between those two sides wouldn't make it long,before they would be pushed right out.Not like anybody in their right (place)mind would even try.hee hee! Just a big waste of time, let those cats fight it out amongst themselves and bow your head. Like it or not.Just tuck tail and run,run as fast as you can....... "

SN wrote on Nov 22, 2009 9:04 AM:

" Danny Smith for MAYOR??? PLEASE!!! How many things has he dabble in? He dont follow thru with anything, he has no expierence in being a mayor! NO FOR DANNY SMITH! Trust me, I've worked with him on projects, we will never succeed at mayoring! He drops the ball on almost everything he does. "

whos left wrote on Nov 21, 2009 8:55 AM:

" Is there anyone left in Safford that might actually NOT be inmature, selfish, related or not, underhanded, decieving or dis-honest???? If there is...thats who we need as our MAYOR!!! Why keep throwing punches back and forth at each other, maybe we should just unite together in finding the right person for the job? Seems to me that we have alot of intelligent individuals in this town to make that happen. At least in my opinion it doesn't seem like "the right canidate" could be that hard to find. So, you with me? If "your out there" reply back!!!! "

name inserted wrote on Nov 20, 2009 5:43 PM:

" Ya keep comppaining really if it aint one crook its another. Didnt Van Tally make a binch of money and then run? "

boffo the mayor wrote on Nov 20, 2009 2:55 PM:

" Nice conspiracy theory Chong
Does "Actually" work for the Courier?
Who wants to be mayor anyway?
Gibbs has lived here how long?
...and I hear if he doesn't get his own way he'll do what Jerry Hancock is doing - quitting.

The best thing about this story is Green's administration is ending. "

Hey Chong wrote on Nov 20, 2009 5:42 AM:

" Chong what did Mary do beat you in some debate? "

Alex wrote on Nov 19, 2009 4:38 PM:

" After reading these blogs I wonder who it is that is afraid of Mary
Bingham? For a lady that has only taken out papers to run she has sure got lot of you or maybe only one stirred up. Give the lady a chance she sure could not do any worse than the previous or present council.
I say give her a chance and also get about 3 or 4 more women in there and you will have a real change. If not a change a great cat fight. "

This is Safford wrote on Nov 19, 2009 12:17 PM:

" The people in Safford for many years have been blood related to everyone or else their kids married into other families, so until about 10 -20 years ago we were all related, hence Relation Street. Families don't always get along but if you pick on one of us then the whole bunch will jump in and carry the fight. Now is the time for you who are newcomers to our area to step up and unite. Oh you say that newcomers united behind Van Talley a local relative but they mostly did it for personal gain. "

Actually wrote on Nov 19, 2009 12:21 AM:

" To (Un)Wise, the paper doesn't crucify anyone. Can you be any more offensive? You are comparing the death of Jesus Christ to the newspaper pointing out when our politicians behave unethically. You seriously need some professional help.
By the way, I've noticed a few councilors that don't have the same problems as other ones because they don't behave that way. If you are honest and put what is good for the city above what is good for you or your friends and relatives, I don't think any mayor or councilors will have to worry about what the paper reports. "

Wise wrote on Nov 18, 2009 10:43 PM:

" Theres not a fresh, smart, business women or man that will step up to the plate because they're crucified in the paper and on this blog. Who needs that? "

Tina Faye wrote on Nov 18, 2009 8:53 PM:

" Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow?
With an old regime and Ronald Green and you and his puppets in tow. "

Yicks wrote on Nov 18, 2009 7:52 PM:

" Please not Mary Bingham! Nice person or not, she will not have an open mind. She will not be an independent thinker. She will be there for Green, Malloque, Kouts and the very dark behind the scenes manipulator, that dastardly Zapia!! They all have personal agendas that are not in the best interest of our city. We need a smart, fresh business wise, woman or man to step up and serve. "

chong wrote on Nov 18, 2009 4:41 PM:

" Mary also lives on 18 th st, next to Ed Zappia and Jerry Handcock. Really good friends, no politial ties there! Except they all hate the City of Safford because of sewer installs and extention of 18th st through to the proposed subdivision behind there homes. PS she loves to argue, just ask a wall or a rock!!! "

Earl wrote on Nov 18, 2009 12:05 AM:

" And Darlene Alder, Assessor is the ssistor-in-law to Mary Bingham. (Tim Alder is the brother). Here we go again. "

Well wrote on Nov 17, 2009 11:02 AM:

" Isn't Mary Bingham related to Ron Green. We don't really need that in office now do we. My guess is they will probably appoint her to Foutz's empty seat though. Another Councilor placed in office not by the voting public, but by the current majority of councilors and outgoing mayor. Sad to see. "

Fun for all wrote on Nov 17, 2009 10:36 AM:

" If Danny Smith becomes Mayor he will whine if things don't go his way. If Chris Gibbs is mayor he will get mad and walk off leaving the council sitting. Anyone else that will run, that has new and better leadership?
Mary Bingham will make a great council member. Don't know Barton but isn't his wife running for Bill Kopinicki's seat in the legisature? And we all know what Ortega is like on the council.
Heard that Jerry Hancock is not going to run he has had his fill.
Everyone praye for Safford. "

Really wrote on Nov 16, 2009 7:26 PM:

" Who would want that job?!?! Too many complainers in this valley. "

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