It’s rare these days that you meet someone who can so easily connect with people on a personal level yet maintain those friendships even as difficult decisions are made.
It’s unusual to meet someone who can articulate a big-picture vision for the community yet also possess the leadership skills to actually get it done.
The Town of Gilbert these past seven years has been fortunate to have a mayor with these qualities – and more – leading this community with equal parts compassion and steely effectiveness.
The term “caretaker” doesn’t apply to how Mayor John Lewis has approached his job as Gilbert’s top elected official. To be sure, he cares. But he has done much more than just look after this town – he’s transformed it.
Authenticity in too often superficial politics
Mayor Lewis has led Gilbert at a time when our town has been consistently ranked as one of the fastest-growing in the United States. He’s balanced our small-town sensibilities with 21st Century know-how. His authenticity shines brightly in the all-too-often superficial world of politics.
Indeed, the Lewis family has called Gilbert home for 35 years – he’s seen Gilbert transform from the world’s reigning “hay capital” to a high-wage jobs center that is home to blue chip companies like Orbital ATK, Banner Health/MD Anderson, Ironwood Cancer & Research Center and Dignity Health – to name a few.
Under his leadership, Gilbert has seen the ground-breaking of Rivulon, a project in the Loop 202 corridor that will add 15,000 jobs and 250 acres of commerce. He led negotiations for the recent expansion of Orbital’s satellite manufacturing facility, a project that deepens the global company’s roots in Gilbert with a 60,000-square-foot expansion and 155 new employees. And he has been a steadfast supporter of downtown’s Heritage District, which has blossomed into a nationally recognized restaurant and entertainment district.
Growing town with low taxes
Economic development is important, but so is the town’s fiscal health. Gilbert consistently ranks as having one of the lowest combined tax burdens and cost of service of any major city in the region. The town’s sales tax rate is among the lowest in the state at 1.5 percent. The town’s recent Aaa bond rating makes it one of only four Arizona municipalities to have earned this distinguished hallmark of sound financial management.
This has all been achieved while about 90 percent of residents rank town services as being excellent or good.
Navigating challenges
Sometimes a measure of a leader is realized during times of crisis. When the town garnered headlines for highly publicized disagreements among its Gilbert School Board members, Mayor Lewis provided consistent, positive leadership, sending the message that while we may have differences of opinion, quality education is the cornerstone of Gilbert’s quality of life. He understands that excellent education opportunities are essential to supporting our workforce and key to helping attract and retain businesses.
One of the things I so admire about Mayor Lewis is his willingness to confront challenges head-on. The mayor recently made it his mission to confront the behavioral- and substance-abuse crisis in the community. In doing so, he enlisted the help of faith and community leaders, law enforcement, nonprofit groups and town officials to come together to find solutions in helping those in need.
Taking on regional role
As most people know, Mayor Lewis plans to leave his post to take on new challenges. He will soon take over as the executive director of the East Valley Partnership, where fortunately he will still have a voice in policy decisions that shape Gilbert and the entire region. Anyone who has had the pleasure of spending a day with Mayor Lewis knows it’s wise to strap on your running shoes. Even in his new role, don’t expect him to slow down. That’s good news for Gilbert – and Arizona.
Mayor Lewis, your leadership will be missed, but I’m happy you aren’t going too far. Thank you for your commitment to our community.
Gilbert resident Tim Bricker is president and CEO of Dignity Health’s Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert Medical Centers.