Strong communities are built when residents are informed, involved, and included early in the decision-making process. Tena Dugan explains why meaningful public input should be treated as an opportunity, not an obligation.
Originally published as a letter to the editor on May 1, 2026.
To the Editor,
A strong city doesn’t just happen. It is built by the people who live in it, care about it, and take the time to speak up.
Community engagement is not an obligation; it’s an opportunity. It is the foundation of good decision-making. When residents are informed and involved, projects reflect real collective and community needs. With little to no resident involvement, the silence is deafening! Decisions made often miss the mark and undermine public trust in their elected representatives. It comes down to “that’s what THEY want, not what WE want.”
True community engagement is not an afterthought or a box to check at the end of a process. Ideally, it starts at the idea or concept stage, before drawings and diagrams are made or decisions are made, and it facilitates real participation. That means giving residents clear information, multiple opportunities to be involved, and the ability to ask questions and share input. It is an ongoing dialogue, not a one-sided conversation or static presentation. It’s the menu for “what would you like”, instead of “here’s your fill-in-the-blank.”
Dialogue should be actively solicited and acknowledged, particularly on projects or decisions that have a significant impact on the quality of life and quality of place. Cost is typically a factor, but it’s not always about the money. There’s value in using an opportunity to explain the myriad details of a project or item in terms that voters or taxpayers easily understand.
Input should yield results that are acknowledged, shared, and incorporated when and where feasible. There’s a direct correlation between seeking input, applying it, and ultimate positive outcomes! It starts with a flexible and receptive attitude that sees public input as “value-added”, not making meetings longer or creating more work.
At times, it can feel like public input is perceived as an obligation rather than an opportunity. When meetings limit questions or do not allow for meaningful dialogue, residents feel unheard. When our elected representatives don’t debate motions or discuss public concerns, it needlessly silences everyone! It’s also hypocritical when residents hear “we want your ideas and suggestions” but never see actual efforts to solicit them.
A thriving city is so much more than buildings or projects. It’s relationships, mutual trust, confidence, and communication between leaders and the public, and vice versa.
I want a city where people are involved, engaged, question, and expect the best in their leaders. That’s why I’m running for City Council. Yes, I want to make a positive difference, but I can’t do it alone. Connections matter. Involvement matters. Decisions matter. People matter! The Maricopa we want will be the Maricopa we make, not the one we settle for. As your Councilmember, I promise to work for you to achieve that goal. Thank you.
Tena Dugan
Candidate for Maricopa City Council
Tena Dugan
Tena Dugan is a lifelong Arizonan and proud Maricopa resident since 2013. A licensed REALTOR® with West USA Realty, seven-year HOA Board President, and community advocate with over two decades of civic involvement, Tena knows what it takes to show up and get things done. She has served on the City of Maricopa Parks, Recreation and Library Board, the Citizen Transportation Tax Oversight Committee, and the Pinal County Transportation Board. As a wife, mother of four Maricopa High School graduates, and grandmother, she is deeply invested in the future of this community. Tena is running for Maricopa City Council because she believes every resident deserves a seat at the table — and your vote is your voice.
