Arizona native Mike Wachs hopes to become mayor of his new town, Pacific Grove, Calif., in part because it reminds him of his childhood in Scottsdale.
“Some of my favorite things about growing up in Scottsdale were the freedom to roam – we were very independent because we felt safe,” he told Jewish News, via email. “That’s also true for Pacific Grove.”
Wachs moved to Houston in 2012 for his girlfriend, Stephanie, who eventually became his wife. The two met at a Matzoball (an event for Jewish singles held in several US cities) in 2011. Well, sort of. She had actually messaged him on OkCupid after noticing he had viewed her profile. Matzoball was more of a first date.
After several years in Texas, the couple packed their two children, Iris and Harry, into a large rental motorhome and moved to Pacific Grove, a town near Monterey Bay. The family belongs to Congregation Beth Israel in Carmel Valley. Mike works as an art director and manager for a non-profit organization that provides technology-related career training for college students and young adults who historically come from disadvantaged neighborhoods and backgrounds.
Ruth Wachs, Mike’s mother, lives in Scottsdale and is a regular at the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center. Luckily, American Airlines flies direct from Phoenix to Monterey, which is less than three miles from Pacific Grove, making it an easy trip.
Much like Scottsdale, she said, “Pacific Grove is a ‘tourist gem’ and has a bustling, walkable downtown like Old Scottsdale.”
Both locations have beautiful scenery – “Scottsdale has desert views and Pacific Grove hugs the beautiful Pacific Ocean.”
Mike said “family life is full of kids and dogs, work and endless home repairs”. Now that Pacific Grove is their home and “where I’ll grow old,” he wants to be its mayor and work with the locals to make it “even more amazing.”
Wachs took the time to campaign to talk about Pacific Grove, his platform and what he misses about Arizona.
Why do you love Pacific Grove so much you hope you never leave?
Picking the Monterey Bay area was 98% random. We were looking for an Airbnb during the first summer of COVID because you can’t go out in Houston during the summer and the distance and “vacation length” increased more and more over the course of one night until we found a house that looked amazing to buy.
One of my favorite parts of growing up in Scottsdale was the freedom to roam. I remember riding my bike through busy streets and across town via the Greenbelt in sophomore year – alone or with friends. In college my friends and I would take the bus to Tempe to buy records. We were very independent, partly because we felt safe.
This is also true for Pacific Grove. It’s quite small (15,000 people) so my daughter’s friends, who is in third grade, always walk in or out or she walks over to her friends.
We don’t worry much.
Do you stay connected with friends in Arizona beyond your family?
I have a pretty tight or small social circle – depending on how you look at it – so two of my best friends from childhood still live there or have moved there in the past few years. I love Arizona. And I’m still the most disappointed and saddest thing about Arizona politics because, in a way, it still feels the most personal to me.
Also, almost daily, our text thread talks about the various triumphs, trials and tribulations of the Suns.
What made you decide to stand for election?
Stephanie and I (along with our children) immediately fell in love with it and quickly knew we wouldn’t move again: it’s where my wife and I will grow old and where they’ll spend most of their youth.
The city is idyllic in many ways, I don’t think some of the issues that affect people are always dealt with with the utmost urgency. So, as a father, I want to try to ensure that their childhood is the best it can be right now and that the city has a bright future for decades to come.
What are the main elements of your campaign platform?
More housing/affordable housing; an expanded recreation service that includes free programs for everyone, from children to adults; more bike lanes and the possibility of a self-service bike program; resources, tools and support for local businesses to succeed in a new and uncertain economy; pre-approved greywater recycling plans for homes; and host a food and wine festival in Pacific Grove.
Is being Jewish a factor in your campaign or politics?
I think the quality of Judaism that most influences me – and my campaign – is a call to tikkun olam.
Have you watched the Arizona races?
Honestly, no, not really, my own little race takes up a lot of my time!
I watched the viral clip of the Republican candidates talking about very “interesting” things, then I screamed into a pillow. And every 48 hours or so I get a depressing text from Mark Kelly (whom I support) and I also scream into a pillow.
Have you followed the discussion on anti-Semitism in the countryside?
I do not have. As a general rule, I am never for anti-Semitism.
Is there anything you would like to say to your hometown?
I love Phoenix, Scottsdale and Arizona as a whole with all my heart. I hope voters there can move beyond the scare tactics and scarcity mindset and realize that the beauty of the state doesn’t begin and end with the landscape — that includes all the people and all they have to offer. jn
For more information, visit votemikeformayor.com.
Comments are closed.