Dear Editor,
We live in a world where things seem to have gotten out of control. Regardless of the direction we look in the world, we see governments fighting to control with agendas that are contrary to the best interests of the people.
Welcome to Kingman, AZ, where the city government would like you to think, “everything is under control, we’ve got this, we have your back”. In fact, nothing could be more disenfranchising than when we see our right to vote being held hostage. Recently, the right of the people to vote on a new or increased sales tax has been taken away, triggering a huge public outcry. The people we elected to represent the best immediate interests of Kingman’s residents are more concerned about attracting tourists than they are about the quality of your life.
Four incumbents on the city council have officially announced they will be seeking re-election. As usual, I suspect they wish to control that election and that narrative as well.
Another control change is that the mayor’s term in office may be changed in the primary elections to 4 years (replacing a two-year term). One less opportunity for people to vote. Oh! You know, less fuss, just something that slows down the complicated city process, people voting, and these darn messy elections just seem to interfere with the city’s runaway Economic Development General Plan. That plan is Kingman’s Trojan Horse, which has taken almost all control that the people ever had in shaping the direction of our city. Massive spending ABSENT voter approval now prevails.
Another way to fully seize election control over the people is hidden in a new city campaign sign ordinance. On the surface, we all have complained about the campaign signs everywhere during the election cycles. Well, almost no more signs will be allowed except on private property, whereas the city will not be blighted with campaign signs, many potential fresh new candidates for city leadership will struggle to garner any name recognition at all, hence leaving the city in the hands of the same incumbents. Pretty sweet package for incumbent candidates, wouldn’t you say? The deck is being stacked nicely in favor of those incumbents whose vision for Kingman has consistently proven a far cry from yours.
My name is Elliot Chalew. I was a first-time and unknown candidate for city council in 2023 and now again seek to be your voice on the city council in 2026. I have spent two years amplifying the voice of the people, via printed newspapers and all-over social media, clearly establishing the need to repair the broken link of communication between the common man and the city leaders. I come with no strings except my allegiance to the people’s will. I am proud to have come to know so many of you along the way. All the problematic issues in Kingman have remained the same, only worse in the last few years. The time is overdue to put YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE first, before tourists and before that of the special interests who have always controlled the city of Kingman and its people.
The things the city hates the most are the things they cannot control. They really hate social media and attempt to downplay any information or source of information that is not under their strict control. The city has labeled everything on social media as lies, and the people are to believe only that which officially comes whitewashed from the city attorney and the city’s Public Relations Department.
The city is hell bent and obsessed with turning Kingman into an urban nightmare, calling that progress, while throwing out carrots about big box stores and trendy shopping. City road maintenance, the city’s sewer and fresh water distribution system, are visibly failing while utility rates are ever-increasing with no solution in sight.
The city council does not want you to believe what you read in the newspapers about Kingman’s scientifically verified dwindling water sustainability, and the silence of city leaders will not quench the public’s thirst for a solution. The people of Kingman cannot afford to invest everything in a future they may never live to see; we must have our immediate fundamental needs addressed in a respectful, timely fashion.
When elected to the city council, I will aggressively advocate on every issue that impacts your rights as a citizen and on advancing the quality of your life physically, emotionally, and economically.
Let us not forget the things they cannot control and the things YOU can control by voting out ALL incumbents in 2026.
If you haven’t already, please help place my name on the Primary Ballot by signing my Nominating Petition on-line at: “https://go.azsos.gov/5kn5”
Elliot Chalew, Candidate
Kingman City Council chalew@gmail.com
