I ran for Council in 2011 after realizing that I could better serve my community by bringing business ideas to the town’s government.  I could not be more excited to work with a team whose hearts are about service for our community. The transformation of the town into a higher performance government guided by corporate best business practices and changing the culture to reflect a "One Team" spirit has been remarkable.  I'm extremely pleased with the progress of the Town during my two terms and am excited to continue our efforts to “Build a Legacy for Gilbert” during my next term.

Assuring Fiscal Responsibility and fostering Economic Development are my top two priorities.  As a team the Council has developed the “Gilbert Strategic Plan” to identify six strategic initiatives to guide our efforts for the next five years.  They are focused on the following areas:  Balanced Financial Planning, Long Range Infrastructure Planning, Driving Economic Development, Implementing an Efficient High-Performance Government, Becoming a Technology Leader, and Community Livability (Clean, Safe and Vibrant).  We have successfully executed upon these initiatives and have seen the tremendous results that our residents and business owners benefit daily that are provided by the Town.

I’m very grateful and humbled to have served on the Council these past 7 years.  I look at this role as an extension of my “community service” that I’ve done for years here in Gilbert and the region.

During the last 7 years we have created policies and strategic plans that have led to many wonderful successes such as the transformation of our Downtown Heritage District that is the envy of the Valley.  Our goals included: creating a family focused destination to build community while   allowing our downtown businesses to thrive, becoming the safest community in Arizona and the 2nd safest in the country, maintaining the lowest taxes in the valley while providing the highest level of services, and keeping local government at the smallest number of town employees per 1000 residents compared to any of our neighbors.  The Town adopted the enterprise business practice of “Zero Based/Priority Based Budgeting” so that we fund only those things that should be funded.  This process has transformed the Town of Gilbert to become a very efficient and high performance business-like entity.  The results have awarded the Town of Gilbert two AAA bond rating increases from Finch and Moody.  The financial benefits for the Town and its citizens will be felt for years to come.  Most recently we welcomed the announcement of Deloitte, a Fortune 100 company, who selected Gilbert for their expansion into the Phoenix market.  Deloitte will provide 2500+ jobs with salaries above $95K.

If you as a citizen and/or business owner have experienced and enjoyed these benefits, then I would suggest that you vote to keep the “One Team” together.  We have a tremendous opportunity to build the “Best Legacy” together with your help.  I want to personally thank all the residents, business owners, town leadership and staff, faith leaders and regional partners that have supported me these past 7 years.  It’s been a “Team Effort” of all wonderful successes in Gilbert.  Thank you for your consideration to Re-Elect me, Eddie Cook, as your Councilmember for the Town of Gilbert.  God Bless!!!