by Surprise Mayor L.E. “Lyn” Truitt

As mayor of Surprise, I see the positive difference Luke Air Force Base makes daily in our community. That is why I fully support bringing the F-35 training program to Luke Air Force Base.

Surprise has more flyovers from Luke’s F-16 jets than any other West Valley city. To us, the roar of those fighters is the sound of freedom.

Luke AFB is a true West Valley native. Its mission of defending freedom blossomed decades ago, when it was a training site for young WWII pilots. Many of them loved Arizona and settled here; becoming residents of the cities that eventually sprang up around Luke.

Today, many of the 8,000 active-duty personnel and their 6,700 family members are an important part of our community. We know them as neighbors, business customers and employees, students at our Communiversity, or parents and friends involved in school and community life. Without them, Surprise wouldn’t be the city of opportunity and connectedness we are today.

Luke has a $2.1 billion annual impact on Arizona’s economy. That means one thing above all: jobs. Thousands are directly employed at the base; thousands more support Luke indirectly. These jobs create demand for housing and generate consumer spending. This helps local businesses thrive and helps local governments pay for public safety and roadways. Without the    F-35, the mission of Luke is threatened, and our community could lose jobs at the worst possible time as we work to recover from this severe recession.

Surprise is working closely with Avondale, Buckeye, Glendale, Gila Bend, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Maricopa County, Peoria, Phoenix, Tolleson, Wickenburg and Youngtown on the Luke Forward campaign to support the new F-35 mission. You can get involved, too. Visit www.lukeforward.com to register your support and get answers to frequently asked questions about the F-35. Look for sign-up support sheets at the many businesses in Surprise that are behind the F-35 mission at Luke.

I encourage you to attend one of the five public meetings being held in Northwest Valley cities, including Surprise, February 22- 26. These meetings are part of the Environmental Impact Statement process, which will help the Air Force decide where to station the F-35. We need to let decision makers at the federal level know we want the F-35 and the mission of Luke to continue for decades to come.
Our economic future and the fabric of our community life will be much richer if Luke receives the F-35 training mission. Together, let’s show support for our brave neighbors and colleagues at Luke who defend America and make Arizona a better place.

Visit lukeforward.com to prefill the EIS comment form if you  are not able to attend any of the public scoping meetings.

About Mayor L.E. “Lyn” Truitt

Lyn and his wife, Donna, moved to Surprise in 1997. They have two children and three grandchildren. Donna has worked at the Dysart Unified School District since 2000 and daughter-in-law, Nicole, is a music teacher in the District.

Lyn has been a self-employed businessman for the past 30 years. As national training consultant for a contract delivery systems company, he trained entrepreneurs in small business ownership, management and operations. Lyn is currently owner/broker of L.E. Truitt & Associates Real Estate Consulting and a Certified International Property Specialist.

Over the years, Lyn coached a youth soccer team to two City of Phoenix titles, obtained three scuba diving certifications and served as Crew Chief on a hot air balloon team.  He traveled to England as part of a Christian outreach opportunity and considers himself a life-long learner, taking classes ranging from Greek to photography.

Lyn is a graduate of Leadership West, Class IX and his commitment to effective and ethical leadership is demonstrated through participation in neighborhood and community initiatives, support for quality education, a willingness to volunteer and dedication to our City and residents.

Participation in neighborhood and community initiatives includes leadership on the Coyote Lakes HOA and work on various community initiatives.  He was presented the Arizona Golden Rule Award for volunteerism by Secretary of State, Jan Brewer. Lyn is active with the Salvation Army Board, organizes an annual drive for St. Mary’s Westside Food Bank, and serves on the Board of West Valley Art Museum.

His support for quality education includes service on committees that worked to pass school bond issues, membership on the Dysart Tax Credit Committee, Chair of the Dysart Wall of Unity Committee and the Community Advisory Team Board.

Lyn’s passion for our community is evidenced by successful campaigns to reduce the restaurant tax in Surprise, improve Bell Road and preserve areas around Luke Auxiliary Field 1.  He served as Surprise Planning & Zoning Committee Chair.