Tempe mayor-elect Hugh Hallman shared his vision for the city Wednesday with several ASU students.
Hallman spoke to 13 members of the United Republicans of ASU, many of whom worked on his campaign.
Hallman invited ASU students to become involved in city politics, especially by applying to serve on city boards and commissions.
Student involvement would help the working relationship between the city and the University, while bringing new ideas to Tempe, he said.
Many of the same people have served on multiple boards, preventing fresh perspectives from examining city issues, Hallman said.
"That lends itself to inbreeding and narrow thinking, and it's time to sort of add some new blood into the whole system," Hallman said.
Students asked Hallman for his take on various issues, including the city's loud party ordinance.
Strengthening the ordinance was not necessary and was more of a political tool than a solution to the problems associated with large parties, Hallman said.
People should be able to do as they please on their property, but must respect their neighbors' rights, he added.
"Your right to do whatever you want ends at the tip of my nose and frankly, my eardrums," he said.
Hallman said he is more interested in getting people to realize the impact their actions have on neighbors, rather than the specific punishment issued for throwing disruptive parties.
Students also were interested to learn what steps Hallman would take to convince the Anaheim Angels baseball team to remain in Tempe for spring training instead of moving to Glendale after its contract expires in 2007.
Enticing the team to stay could include relocating Tempe Diablo Stadium, where spring training games currently are played, to a spot surrounded by hotels and retail areas, he said.
However, before any decision is made, Hallman said he would like to sit down with team owner Arturo Moreno and discuss the economic issues involved with Tempe accommodating the Angels versus moving the team to another city.
The Angels are a valuable source of revenue for the city, but that income could be replaced with other projects, including partnerships with ASU, he said.
Shannon Pipes, secretary of operations for the United Republicans and a secondary education sophomore, said she enjoyed working with Hallman on his campaign and is excited to see his vision for the city take shape.
"He was very much a hands-on candidate and will be the same way as mayor," Pipes said.
Reach the reporter at amanda.keim@asu.edu.
