Vote For Me Or I'll Shoot This Dog

Just Kidding. But Phoenix City Council candidate Jessica Florez is trying to soften her tough-girl image.

A A A Comments By Susy Buchanan Thursday, Aug 28 2003

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Larry Parks, president of the neighborhood association affected by the expansion, says Simplot, acting as activist, was more responsive and effective than Florez as a councilwoman.

Early on, Parks says, he discussed the situation with Florez. "I wanted to get Jessica to give me her input on that issue, whether she was for the hospital, a Catholic hospital, or for the neighborhoods. I couldn't get her to commit either way."

Jackie Mercandetti

Jessica Florez with her dog, Jade.

Matt Garcia

Jessica Florez addresses a neighborhood association meeting at a central Phoenix mortuary.

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Simplot advised the neighborhood association to hire an attorney, and conduct a noise pollution study, which it did, ultimately succeeding in convincing the hospital to commit to $10 million in changes to satisfy the neighborhood, explains Parks.

"Basically we had put everything together and were working with the hospital when she came in and took credit for it," says Parks.

He says this is typical of his experience with her since she's been on the council.

"Florez doesn't get back with you and when she does she's vague, she gives you nebulous answers to very pointed questions," Parks says. "It's very frustrating, especially in comparison with Phil Gordon," whom Parks considers incredibly responsive.

"Phil and Jessica are like night and day."

Indeed, trying to fill the shoes of the well-respected Gordon will be a huge task for either candidate.

Paul Johnson is optimistic about Florez's chances for success. One of her biggest assets as his aide, he says, was her tendency to overachieve. "Sometimes she takes on a little more than she should," says Johnson.

"Jessica's biggest challenge will be to recognize that sometimes as a council member she has to allow her gruffer side to come out," he says. "A lot of people bring projects to you and the best no' is right up front."

Maybe she'll change her cartoon pooch into an attack dog.

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