New Mayor

Voters clear about their choice

Morenci voters—at least those one in four registered voters who went to the polls—made it clear last week: They wanted a new mayor.

After five terms in office, Russ Sutherland gave up his post to challenger Doug Erskin, ending a 14-year run of public service to Morenci.

Erskin was swept into office by a margin of more than two to one, signaling a clear desire for change. What changes will he bring to the office? How will his views differ from Sutherland’s?

When Erskin spoke at a council meeting in September, he was critical of the city for failing to act on property maintenance issues, for failing to properly handle an asbestos removal incident, and for lax enforcement of misbehavior by juveniles. We wonder if those are the changes Erskin’s supporters are after.

After observing his role on the planning commission and from conversations with the new mayor, we have no doubt that he will serve the community well and act with a sincere desire to make improvements.

We thank Russ Sutherland for his many years of service to the city. His sometimes brusque style might have put off some residents, but he served as a steady, guiding force during his five terms as mayor—many of those years under difficult circumstances for the city.

We hope a long time passes before Doug Erskin begins to wonder why he ever got himself into this position. As the outgoing mayor knows all too well, there will be difficult decisions to make and you can’t please everyone all the time—nor should that be your focus. For the most part, it’s the kind of job where you’ll hear complaints much more than a word of thanks.

Why not give Sutherland a word of thanks when you pass him on the street? He’s devoted an enormous amount of his personal time over recent years. And if you see the new mayor, you can thank him for stepping up and to fill the role.