Gil Lusk

Details

Occupation and employer: Retired National Park Service Superintendent. Currently serving on the Sahuarita Town Council.

Education: Bachelor's degree in American History and Honorary PhD in Public Service from Gettysburg College.

Political experience: 1 year on Sahuarita Town Council,  8 years on Flathead Basin Commission, 4 years as Chair, Kalispell, Mt., three years on Southeast Arizona Economic Development Group, 25 years as Park Superintendent.

Military experience: Volunteered for Marine Corps OCC in 1966, received Honorable Discharge due to congenital curvature of the spine.

How would you use your position on the council to help businesses create jobs in your town? I will support all efforts to help fund needed infrastructure to support Town Center so that it can be developed, creating jobs and economic return to the town. The Conceptual Plan for Sahuarita needs to identify new areas for future development of campus environments for technology and industry. We need to continue creating an environment that is welcoming for business; one that protects our interests but does not go overboard in bureaucratic procedure and regulation.

What is your strategy for smart growth in your town? Sahuarita is developing a Conceptual Plan for the annexation of future lands which details creation of a model community for living in a semi-arid environment. Plan will concentrate on new technologies, new building concepts, heavy emphasis on water management, rain harvesting, protection of major drainages for parks and habitat and population numbers consistent with the underlying environment. Plan will include additional lands for industry and light industry on well planned campus environments.

What is the most important issue facing your town? Economic development and job creation are critical needs for maintaining a healthy and strong Sahuarita into the future. This, combined with a well conceived groundwater management plan and work with the County and State in support of infrastructure needed for future development, represents the most important issue currently facing Sahuarita.