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April 5, 2002/Nisan 23, 5762, Vol. 54, No. 29
City Council member blends Judaism, politics
JESSICA BARBER
Editorial Assistant
Mesa City Council member Bill Jaffa has almost completed his first term in office; a term that he has attempted to center on neighbors, communities, business development and the influence of Judaism.
Jaffa considers Judaism to be a way of life, not just a religion, and attempts to intertwine his beliefs with his business and political ventures.
"I think that's what Judaism speaks to - bringing community together and the way we live our lives in a moral manner," says Jaffa. "(Judaism) is being conscious of families and working with one another to promote betterment in the community."
Jaffa has been involved in the East Valley's Jewish community for more than 20 years. He is a member of Temple Beth Sholom in Chandler and volunteers at the synagogue and for individual organizations.
"When I'm called, I try to help out wherever I can," says Jaffa.
During his term on the Mesa City Council, Jaffa incorporated the principle of social justice into his political endeavors.
"I've focused on being an advocate to neighborhoods that have asked for my assistance to try to make them better," says Jaffa. "I've also worked on development issues in the city."
Jaffa has been involved in development issues for about seven years, including serving on the City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of Adjustment in Mesa. During that time, Jaffa was instrumental in developing residential development guidelines that he believes have bettered Mesa communities and encouraged business growth, he says.
In the face of new development, particularly in Northeast and Southeast Mesa, Jaffa encouraged the preservation of natural landscapes.
"I've worked with other Council members and staff to make sure that open space is provided," says Jaffa. "I'm working to make sure that the desert is protected as development occurs as well."
During his last four years in office, Jaffa also has been involved in the Cardinals' football stadium debate, particularly with the proposed site in Mesa.
"I was hoping that we could bring a project to the city that would spur business development ... and basically act as a renaissance for West Mesa," says Jaffa.
However, Jaffa believes that Mesa is no longer a strong contender in the stadium placement debate.
"It's truly unfortunate because there was such a tremendous opportunity, but that opportunity is fading very, very quickly," says Jaffa.
Jaffa, a certified public accountant and president of Jaffa & Associates in Mesa, has had a flair for social involvement since childhood.
"When I was in school I was involved in recycling and working on a newspaper, writing articles (and) trying to get information out to people to better our society," remembers Jaffa. "I look at politics as a way to influence social and economic policy ... to make the social arena better for all of us."
Jaffa attended Syracuse University, earning a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in business administration. He has been a CPA since 1978 and a practicing accountant since his college graduation in 1976.
Jaffa relocated to Arizona in 1980 and has lived in Mesa's District 5 since 1989. In the non-political arena, he serves as treasurer of the Rotary Club and is on the board of directors of the Child Crisis Center-East Valley.
He has been involved with the Mesa Visitors and Convention Bureau, the Mesa Chamber of Commerce, the United Way, the Commission on Excellence in Education, the Regional Committee on Homelessness, Friends of the Tonto National Forest and the Mesa Leadership Training Development Program.
Jaffa will face Rex Griswold in a run-off election for District 5 in Mesa in May. Neither candidate achieved the majority of votes in the March election.
Jaffa has three children, Stephanie, 12; Marc, 15; and Scott, 18.
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