Here is a compilation of all the answers Greg Norberg submitted to the “Council Candidate Q&A” series that the Surprise Independent ran over the last two months. Mr. Norberg is running against Councilman Patrick Duffy in District 3 in the Aug. 4 primary election.

Why should voters trust you to serve?

I believe that elected officials should always go above and beyond to help their community’s success, but they also have to treat every individual that needs assistance with the utmost care and service. Showing up is never enough; it’s just the first step of many that need to be taken each and every day. Essentially, it’s about striving to do 100%, 100% of the time. With that being said, our elected officials are held accountable to those they serve and trust is the most important quality. Trust is the understanding that if elected, I work for you and I will be loyal to you. Reliability is one of my strengths and I will always be honest and respect you. This position is about serving with integrity and that means showing up prepared and following-up with you. Meeting with you and truly hearing your input and opinions and answering your questions are of the utmost importance. I am asking for your vote for City Council because I value you and your opinion and serving you would be a great honor.

Rank your top three issues for Surprise voters:

As I’ve gone door to door and had conversations with so many of you, we seem to agree on many different issues. The top three have been the lack of shopping and entertainment; fire and police; and quality of living. When I listen to you and hear what you say, I agree that these are our most important issues and we need someone who is willing to put forth the effort to help bring about the results we desperately need. 

When it comes to the lack of shopping and entertainment Surprise loses a great deal of revenue to our neighboring cities because we lack these venues. One thing our city does not have that other successful cities do is an Economic Development Advisory Commission. I would like to create a similar model that will help bring in needed shopping and entertainment and give you an opportunity to serve in our city. 

Additionally, we must always focus on keeping Surprise safe and secure. The city just hired additional fire and police, however, now we are where we should have been three and even four years ago. Our councilman’s platform in his last campaign was focused on brining in a “much needed fire station in District 3” yet when he was elected he never mentioned it again.

This need continues to get more important each day as we build additional houses and increase in population, especially west of the 303. We need a councilperson that is going to focus not just on the current budget but when it comes to safety and security we need to prepare for the needs we know we will have in the next two years and moving forward. If we don’t save now for what we know we need in the future, the city will ask for another bond and that can and should be prevented. 

When it comes to quality of living that encompasses many different areas, including that which I’ve already mentioned. However, it also includes you. We should be helping families to spend more time together by attracting the much needed head of household jobs. We have an incredible population of skilled labor in Surprise and that is shown by the number of people that are driving to their jobs outside of our city each day. Access to skilled labor is one of the most important drawing factors in a company choosing its location. Surprise needs to promote you, the people, because you are our strongest asset. And like I’ve said before, you’ve invested in your city; it’s about time your city invests in you.

With all that being said, I do believe one of the most important first steps is to re-brand the city of Surprise. We continue to be labeled a “bedroom community,” yet that is not who we are. We have a marketing and communication department that should spearhead this endeavor and include you, the stakeholders in the city, so your voice and input can be heard.

How do you keep a balanced budget with the uncertainties of COVID-19?

The City Council should always protect the taxpayers and their money by planning for the best but knowing that unexpected difficult times happen. Very few households escaped COVID-19 unscathed. Many people had to apply for unemployment for the very first time in their lives. Many businesses had to apply for additional loans; lay people off, some permanently; and even worse, closed permanently. These times have been difficult for everyone in one way or another. But no matter how hard times get in our own homes, we still have to pay our taxes.

Putting our trust in those that make the decisions on how taxes are used is difficult because all too often we see government waste from the local level up to the state and federal level. With that being said so far the numbers have shown that the loss in our city was less than anticipated.

Even so, Surprise was awarded over $16.2 million dollars from the U.S. Department of the Treasury CARES Act Corona Virus Relief Fund to help with the loss due to COVID-19 and the budget was amended to reflect the acceptance of the Relief Fund.

So, the question isn’t really what needs to be done to keep the budget balanced, the question is how will the city responsibly use that money. 

Even if the city didn’t receive the funds from the CARES Act, the response should be the same as it is for everyone else. If less money comes into our own personal budget, then there are areas where we cut back. Even though COVID-19 has been very destructive in many ways, the city has a great opportunity to see where there has been waste with your money.

I understand budgets and I understand loss. Even without COVID-19, we need to take a closer look at each department and see where there has been waste and move toward a more efficient and responsible budget. I am asking for your support and your vote knowing that I will be responsible with your hard-earned tax dollars. 

How will Surprise stay as a tourist destination in a time of COVID-19?

My first experience in Surprise was as a tourist 17 years ago.  My family and I were drawn to Surprise for many reasons including the neighborhood parks; sports opportunity for our kids; and the White Tank Mountains. While I love our city and sports, Surprise already lacks tourism so to focus on what we will do during COVID-19 is to get stuck in the pandemic. Instead, we should be looking to the future and how we’re going to shape Surprise into becoming a tourist destination in the West Valley. 

Recently, City Council paid an outside firm to do a cost analysis for a resort. The firm offered one option only; said we were not ready; and our councilman accepted the result without question. However, one of the most vital jobs of a councilman is to effectively communicate the vision of the future of Surprise to the City Manager. 

We need a cost analysis that includes several options; otherwise your tax dollars are wasted on an incomplete analysis. We need different room capacities, different themes; such as a Golf theme, Spa theme, Tropical theme or a combination of two or three. A resort should be a place where our friends and family enjoy coming to visit; a place where we can have weddings, proms, business meetings; restaurants, and boutiques. A resort where, as residents, we can visit and meet our friends for lunch or dinner is just one amenity needed in Surprise.

Additionally, we need your input to find out what kind of entertainment and tourist attractions you would like brought into the city. Whether it’s miniature golf; a movie theatre/restaurant; roller/ice skating rink; a water park; shopping and restaurants; outdoor concerts; we have to act now. The opportunities are coming to the valley and we need to be ready. 

I’m running for City Council District 3 because we all need someone who shows up ready for today but also understands that there’s a lot of work that needs to be done now to prepare and shape the future of Surprise. I’m here for you and would greatly appreciate your vote.

What is the top issue facing your district specifically?

Even though I hear a lot about the lack of entertainment, shopping and restaurants, the top issue is the need of head of household jobs.

What is Surprise’s biggest recent missed opportunity?

Several large corporations have relocated to the West Valley but not to Surprise. We’ve missed out on the opportunities to bring in head of household jobs and the revenue that prevents increases in taxes.

What is Surprise’s single biggest need?

Surprise brings in retirement communities, medical facilities, storage units, fast food restaurants and we continue to lose tax dollars to our surrounding cities. The only way to change that is to rebrand our city. We need to have multiple public meetings to brainstorm with you, the stakeholders of our city, and ask you how you want our city to be known. That way we can bring in the entertainment, shopping, restaurants and head of household jobs that we desperately need.

What’s the best thing about Surprise?

The most valuable asset that we have in Surprise is you, the people, our community. I’ve met so many of you and have greatly enjoyed our conversations. You’re highly talented, experienced, knowledgeable, educated, and you love Surprise as much as I do. Many of you have talked about how you would like to get involved but either time is a factor, or the opportunities are far and few between. I would like to see that change as much as you do. Moving this city forward with you and with your input is my goal. I want to thank The Independent for the opportunity to answer these 8 questions over the last few weeks. My hope is that my passion for you and Surprise and the hard work I will put into you is apparent and that I have earned your vote.