Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page A3

Z12 FRIDAY, 07.25. 14 3 Community News At 5 every morning, Eddie Cookis working out at the gym, running on a treadmill and lifting weights. probably one of the times I have that is quiet time for he said. He uses the time for prayer and reflection and for mapping out the day ahead. a great way to get said the vice is running for re-election.

hen he ran three years ago, his focus was on making the town fiscally responsible, to provide the highest level of ervices at the lowest cost. The town hree years ago implemented zero- based or priority-based budgeting, a ethod that identifies town services, heir minimum costs and then how critical they are. This methodology is no different then what we do at home as a ooksaid. The goal is to keep expenses elow revenues. That has literally transformed the town of he said.

been a tre- endous benefit to the taxpayer and the usinesses (by saving millions of ooksaid his most important decision as a council member was voting to ire Patrick Bangeras town manager. Town Council candidate and Vice Mayor Eddie Cook greets fellow Republicans at a recent Legislative District 12 meeting. PHOTOS BY PATRICK REPUBLIC Luci Scott The Republic i azcentral.com EDDIE COOK Age: 53. Employment: Works for international technology company NetAppin its Scotts- ale office. Education: degree in engineering from Arizona State University.

Years in Gilbert: 28. Contact information: http://VoteEddieCook.com. Twitter.com/ GilbertEddie. E-mail is 480-213-8892. unds raised as of May 31: $12,385.

SeeCOOK, Page4 Hanging in Brigette ing room is a numbered print of a watercolor by Pam Smyththat depicts Gilbert landmarks and icons. the town that Petersonhas served for years as a volunteer, including time on the Planning Commission, here she has been a member for 14 years. She would resign that post if she wins election to Town Council. he said her approach to the Town Council job would be the same as her time on the commission: and log- i I never make a decision before I et to the During her tenure on the board, she as attended 192regular and special eetings, having missed only six. She first learned about the Planning Comm ission while she was attending Gilbert Leadership, a program that famil- i arizes residents with the town.

A debate in recent years has been hether to rezone commercially zoned land to residential. take a one-size-fits-all approach, saying he town must preserve its tax base SeePETERSON, Page4 Brigette Peterson puts up a campaign sign with help from her husband, Mark. The homemaker is running for a seat on the Town Council. Luci Scott The Republic i azcentral.com BRIGETTE PETERSON Age: 49. Occupation: Homemaker.

Previous employment: Raytheonin Massachusetts and Banner Baywood Medical enterin Mesa. Among her volunteer work: Member of Gilbert Planning Commission for 14 years. Member of Gilbert Chamber of Commerce Leadership Board. Years in Gilbert: 19. Education: No higher education.

Contact information: Facebook.com/ oteBrigettePeterson, Twitter.com/Briget- eDP, 480-215-6214. unds raised as of May 31: $200. this month. he seven-member Town Council sets olicies directly impacting Gilbert residents, from parks to road projects. In an at-large race, meaning candidates represent the town as a whole and not specific districts, not as easy as winning a simple majority of the vote.

If no winners are declared in the pri- mary, it heads to the general election in Nov ember where candidates with the highest umber of votes win. The field of candidates includes three incumbents Eddie Cook, Jordan Ray and Victor Petersen and four challengers Jason Cvancara, Brigette Peterson, Tim Rinesmith and TJ Tillman. The Gilbert Republic will profile candi- dates in this editions. Cvancar a and Victor Petersen were featured Wednesday, and profles are on Cook and Brigette Peterson. Watch for Ray, Rinesmith and Tillman on Saturday.

All the profiles are available at gil- bert.azcentral.com. Seven candidates are competing for four seats on the Gilbert Town Council in next primary election. Early voting begins at the end of 4 of 7 council seats are up for grabs Luci Scott The Republic i azcentral.com.