I’m a movie buff. As the Mayor of Superior (population 2400), I used movies as an analogy in our annual “State of the Town” address to outline Superior’s accomplishments and challenges over the past year. It was a great hit as everyone can relate to the movies.
A movie about Superior includes scenes about the wildfire that ripped through in 2021 and how our town – in partnership with the State and the Federal government – came back from the ashes. It includes scenes about the history of copper mining in Pinal County and what the industry could continue to mean for our local economy and America’s global mineral trade. It includes the story of how in the wake of COVID, we used Federal relief funds to support our recreational trails and outdoor attractions which in turn not only prevented local businesses from closing but enabled new businesses to open.
The most exciting and important movie however is being written before our eyes – electing Kamala Harris and Tim Walz to the White House. When that happens, towns like Superior will have even more to celebrate.
This movie needs to be our reality because the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda committed nearly $5.8 billion to strengthen our country’s water and wastewater systems which enabled us to work directly with USDA and other federal agencies to rebuild our area’s aquifers, maintain a strong water management plan and increase reliable access to water. Continuing this work will bring reliable water access to our homes and businesses and make us more prepared for wildfires.
This movie needs to be a reality because the Biden-Harris Administration is committed to our country’s critical mineral supply chain which in turn expands American manufacturing, supports our national security and creates sustainable jobs. As recently as last month, Vice President Harris reiterated this commitment by calling for more public-private strategies to increase domestic mineral production. That’s important to Pinal County because Superior’s Resolution Copper mine is one of the country’s largest copper ore deposits and has the potential to provide over 25% of our country’s copper demand, as well as other critical minerals and materials. This is what is needed to make Superior a leader in the Green Energy transition.
This movie needs to be a reality because Vice President Harris is committed to creating a path to well-paying jobs and careers which don’t require advanced degrees. That’s important to Superior’s high school students who are enrolled in our advanced welding program. Thanks to federal support through the Biden-Harris Administration, The Town of Superior, purchased state-of-the-art welding equipment. We now have three classes of students well-trained and ready for a modern, tech-driven workforce and we are on our way to developing the Superior Multi-Generational Center, a high-tech facility dedicated to skills training, entrepreneurial development and telemedicine.
So as the Mayor of Superior, I ask you to put down the popcorn, help bring our ideas to life, and vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.
Sincerely,
/s/ Mila Besich
Mayor, Town of Superior
Mila.besich@gmail.com