My Turn: Rose Mofford was the people's governor

She was everybody’s favorite aunt.

The one who slipped you candy when your mother said it would ruin your dinner. The one who bought you that special toy when your parents said you didn’t need it. And the one who cheered loudest when you accomplished both the big and the little things in life.

For all of that, you always did your best. You never wanted to let her down or disappoint her.

You never wanted to embarrass her or have somebody tell her something about you that you should not have done. You always wanted to be on your best behavior for her, which meant for yourself.

I had the honor to be Rose Mofford's special assistant when she was governor and a friend ever since.

When she called upon me to help write speeches and do other assignments for the 25 years after she left office, I always said, “Yes, Ma’am.” I taught my boys that once you work for the governor, you always work for the governor. And it was the greatest pleasure in the world to do.

Often said: 'We wish you were still governor'

She was the best boss one would want in public service. If she trusted your knowledge and integrity, you were free to create programs and policies that reflected well on her administration and the state of Arizona. She would trust you to get the job done and get it done right.

She was not a micromanager. Her oversight measurements were your honesty and work ethic.

Governor Mofford loved people, and people loved her. Going to a spring training game with her had more to do with talking to folks, having her picture taken with fans, and even waving to passengers in passing cars who recognized her on the way to the ballpark.

She was always greeted with the comment, “We wish you were still governor.”

She loved children. When a young couple who adopted HIV-positive babies visited the office, she was the first one to reach out to hug them and kiss them. Something few people had the courage to do in those days.

She always followed the lives of her friends’ children and those of her staff.

And she knew all their names and exploits. My sons remember Fourth of July parties on the ninth floor of the Capitol, visits with Mickey Mouse in the office, and going with her to public events. I was afraid my own mother would be jealous of the attention their second grandma gave them.

Mofford knew how to get others to pitch in

Governor Mofford was great at getting people to pitch in for Arizona. She gathered all of the top business leaders to talk about submitting the application for a Major League Baseball expansion team. None of them stepped forward with an offer to help fund the $100,000 fee.

Only after she said, “Geoffrey and I will put down the first $10,000” did the men in the room look up from their papers and reluctantly agree to pay.

Visions of my children not going to college flashed before me, but I would have paid the entire sum if she had asked me.

She never stopped working for the people of Arizona. It was not uncommon to go to the office on weekends and see her at her desk.

Visiting schools and businesses were always part of her schedule. But she was more comfortable talking to people at restaurants, parades and ballgames than sitting at her desk. She was the people’s governor.

Rose Mofford taught us civility and respect for others, whether at the Legislature or with people she met on the street. She taught us to always do our best whether people were watching or not. She taught us how a public official should act and speak, not for votes but because it was the right thing to do.

And for all of her love and guidance, we will honor her memory by continuing her legacy for the people of Arizona.

Geoffrey Gonsher was special assistant to Gov. Rose Mofford and is a professor of practice in the ASU School of Public Affairs. Email him at geoffrey.gonsher@asu.edu.