| BARRIOZONA |
| Bilingual Community Expression Published by the Hispanic Institute of Social Issues |
| Photo: Eduardo Barraza BARRIOZONA |
| Michael Nowakowski The Power of the People |
Relying on his grassroots upbringing and support, Michael
Nowakowski hopes to bring his long-time community involvement
to what he calls the next step in leadership: becoming the next
councilman for Phoenix’ District 7. If successful, he will replace
incumbent Doug Lingner, who has reached the term limits serving
as a councilman for the most diverse segment of the City of
Phoenix.
Nowakowski, current general manager of the non-profit Radio
Campesina in Phoenix, traces his connection to community
causes to his childhood, when lead by his mother gave to the
poor and took part in the farm worker’s movement of Cesar
Chavez.
Nowakowski hopes to bring his long-time community involvement
to what he calls the next step in leadership: becoming the next
councilman for Phoenix’ District 7. If successful, he will replace
incumbent Doug Lingner, who has reached the term limits serving
as a councilman for the most diverse segment of the City of
Phoenix.
Nowakowski, current general manager of the non-profit Radio
Campesina in Phoenix, traces his connection to community
causes to his childhood, when lead by his mother gave to the
poor and took part in the farm worker’s movement of Cesar
Chavez.
Eduardo Barraza
BARRIOZONA
February 16, 2007
BARRIOZONA
February 16, 2007
| Grassroots strength and a longtime involvement in serving the community drives the candidate for Phoenix City Council District 7. |
“All my life I have been serving others. Since I was little my parents taught us to give back to the community,” –
says Nowakowski, whose parents’ involvement in the church provided him as a child a structure where he
experienced serving others. This early contribution prepared him to work for the Phoenix Catholic Diocese as a
young man.
Michael Nowakowski recalls managing to be able to fuse both English and Spanish speaking parishioners who were
separated by the language barrier. “I learned that when you talk and when you look (at) what’s in common, you
can bring people together.” And that’s exactly what he envisions doing in District 7 if he becomes the next council
person.
Referring to issues that range from graffiti to historical preservation, crime and education, Nowakowski points out
that while these concerns have been discussed, “we never brought everybody together around the table to talk
about what we have in common.” Therefore, Nowakowski states his first priority will be forming a committee to
bring together the different and particular needs within District 7.
Due to longtime involvement in community-based programs and activities, as well as his experience living in a poor
neighborhood, Nowakowski believes he can be effective in leading with the different challenges facing District 7. “I
am a person that is not just going out saying pretty words; I am a person of action, a person who gets involved,
who talks to the community; we are at the same level of the people… I lived in the barrio, one of the poorest
barrios around, and I understand the needs of our people. I am from the people; I am the son of the people; and I
understand the needs.”
says Nowakowski, whose parents’ involvement in the church provided him as a child a structure where he
experienced serving others. This early contribution prepared him to work for the Phoenix Catholic Diocese as a
young man.
Michael Nowakowski recalls managing to be able to fuse both English and Spanish speaking parishioners who were
separated by the language barrier. “I learned that when you talk and when you look (at) what’s in common, you
can bring people together.” And that’s exactly what he envisions doing in District 7 if he becomes the next council
person.
Referring to issues that range from graffiti to historical preservation, crime and education, Nowakowski points out
that while these concerns have been discussed, “we never brought everybody together around the table to talk
about what we have in common.” Therefore, Nowakowski states his first priority will be forming a committee to
bring together the different and particular needs within District 7.
Due to longtime involvement in community-based programs and activities, as well as his experience living in a poor
neighborhood, Nowakowski believes he can be effective in leading with the different challenges facing District 7. “I
am a person that is not just going out saying pretty words; I am a person of action, a person who gets involved,
who talks to the community; we are at the same level of the people… I lived in the barrio, one of the poorest
barrios around, and I understand the needs of our people. I am from the people; I am the son of the people; and I
understand the needs.”
Running for the same council’s seat is
Laura Pastor, who on Tuesday,
February 13, officially kicked off her
own campaign. Pastor, a one time
teacher and whose core work in the
community has been in education,
secured the endorsement of Mayor
Phil Gordon himself, among many
other public officials who are backing
her in her bid, including Doug Lingner.
Pastor is the daughter of U.S.
Congressman Ed Pastor, and currently
appears to be Nowakowski’s
strongest contender. On the other
hand, Nowakowski’s campaign has
obtained the endorsement of the
largest firefighting association in
Arizona, the Professional Firefighters
of Arizona (PFFA), the backing of the
United Farm Workers of America, as
well as the Cesar Chavez’ family.
Laura Pastor, who on Tuesday,
February 13, officially kicked off her
own campaign. Pastor, a one time
teacher and whose core work in the
community has been in education,
secured the endorsement of Mayor
Phil Gordon himself, among many
other public officials who are backing
her in her bid, including Doug Lingner.
Pastor is the daughter of U.S.
Congressman Ed Pastor, and currently
appears to be Nowakowski’s
strongest contender. On the other
hand, Nowakowski’s campaign has
obtained the endorsement of the
largest firefighting association in
Arizona, the Professional Firefighters
of Arizona (PFFA), the backing of the
United Farm Workers of America, as
well as the Cesar Chavez’ family.
Thus, the race for District 7 between Pastor and Nowakowski brings to the political arena two sharp forces which
will compete for votes in the upcoming September election: political muscle and grassroots strength.
About this collision of forces, Michael Nowakowski refers to a Cesar Chavez' quote: “there are two types of power:
the power of money -where you can buy even politicians- and then there’s the power of the people.” He thinks
having grassroots support instead of political support is an advantage, because it is the people who vote. “For me,
what’s more important is the people that are in the neighborhood, the people that are doing the work on a daily
basis, the people that are painting the walls and getting rid of the graffiti, the nanas (grandmas) who have to take
care of their grandchildren, and keep them out of trouble, keep them out of jail, taking them to school everyday.
Those are the leaders of the community; those are the people who count."
will compete for votes in the upcoming September election: political muscle and grassroots strength.
About this collision of forces, Michael Nowakowski refers to a Cesar Chavez' quote: “there are two types of power:
the power of money -where you can buy even politicians- and then there’s the power of the people.” He thinks
having grassroots support instead of political support is an advantage, because it is the people who vote. “For me,
what’s more important is the people that are in the neighborhood, the people that are doing the work on a daily
basis, the people that are painting the walls and getting rid of the graffiti, the nanas (grandmas) who have to take
care of their grandchildren, and keep them out of trouble, keep them out of jail, taking them to school everyday.
Those are the leaders of the community; those are the people who count."
| Photo: Eduardo Barraza BARRIOZONA |