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.
“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.”
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.
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."
Copyright © 2006 Hispanic Institute of Social Issues
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.
“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.”
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.
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."
Copyright © 2006 Hispanic Institute of Social Issues
By Yolie Hernandez
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.
Phoenix City Council District 7.
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