Marana council candidates on data centers, detention

Marana Town Council candidates are actively debating the future of data center development in the area, following the council's recent approval of rezoning for a new data center. Seven candidates are vying for four council seats, and two are seeking the mayoral term in an upcoming primary election, with data center regulations being a key campaign issue.

Candidates Susan Ritz, Julie Prince, and Jackie McGuire, running as part of the "Marana for the People" group, expressed strong views on the matter. Ritz, an engineer, voiced concerns about potential chemical contamination, specifically PFAS, and the costs associated with cleanup. Prince, a former journalist, advocated for strengthening the town's current data center ordinance with more specific regulations. McGuire, who ran for council after the rezoning approval, led an effort to put the proposed data center on a ballot and seeks ordinance changes to include more protections on water use, generator restrictions, mandatory disclosure of cooling chemicals, and financial guarantees.

Incumbent council members and mayoral candidate Jon Post did not respond to inquiries. Former council member Jackie Craig, running as a write-in, acknowledged the rationale behind the initial rezoning approval but is taking a "wait-and-see" approach on her own views. While the rezoning for a data center was approved earlier this year despite resident concerns, the ongoing debate among candidates indicates continued local opposition and a push for more stringent regulatory oversight on future data center projects.