It's Time for Better Leadership

Even after being offered a turnkey visitor center space in the Convention Center for under $200/month (including utilities), the City Council (with the exception of Karen Schumacher) voted last Tuesday to pursue the far more costly Fair Building instead. This decision redirects bed tax dollars away from marketing, to prop up a failing museum. Preserving history matters, but it is not a tourism marketing strategy. Bed tax funds exist to generate overnight visitation, not subsidize pet projects.

Like it or not, tourism drives Bisbee’s economy. Yet our city leaders keep ignoring the one tool that actually brings visitors here: marketing. Local businesses and the community are already paying the price. Failing to invest in what actually drives economic development is a failure of leadership.

Public office demands financial literacy, critical thinking, and the discipline to tie spending to measurable results. Council seats in all three wards are up for election! If you believe Bisbee deserves better judgment, please step forward. And if you know someone qualified, encourage them to run.

Leadership matters. Competence matters. Elections are coming.

February 21: Earliest Filing Date

March 23: Last Filing Date

April 6: Deadline for Candidate Challenges

June 22: Last Day to Register to Vote

June 24: Early Voting Begins

July 10: Last Day to Apply for Early Mail Ballot

July 17: Deadline to Vote Early

July 21: Primary Election Day