Six candidates get in 2022 City Council race – so far…

A little more than a year out from the 2022 election, six candidates have emerged for the three available seats on Maricopa City Council.

Those who have filed Statements of Interest to obtain nomination petition signatures are incumbents Vincent Manfredi, Rich Vitiello and Henry Wade, and challengers Julia Gusse, Adam Leach and Henry Staggs, according to City Clerk Vanessa Bueras.

Manfredi and Wade are seeking their third terms on the council, and Vitiello his second.

Gusse is seeking a third stint on the council, having served from 2011-2015 and again from 2017-21. She lost a six-way race for three council seats in the 2020 election, finishing fourth behind Amber Liermann, Bob Marsh and Nancy Smith.

Gusse, a veteran, has worked as an educator and higher education administrator, and currently is a Realtor. Leach, also a real estate agent, is an investor and entrepreneur. Staggs is the owner of Preferred Roof Consultants of Arizona.

Manfredi is advertising director and minority owner of InMaricopa. Vitiello is the office manager of Kooline Plumbing. Wade is the director of housing counseling services for Chicanos Por La Causa.

While the field is growing, there is plenty of time for other candidates to join the fray, Bueras said, adding that nominating papers are not due until April 2022. “We will know then who is running for council,” she said.

InMaricopa asked each candidate: “Why do you want to serve on the city council?”

Here are their responses (in alphabetical order):

Julia Gusse

I want to run in order to continue my service to this community, in the same manner as I’ve done in the past: integrity first, service before self and excellence in all I do.

 

Adam Leach

I have lived here for almost 15 years now. As the city continues to grow, expand and evolve this comes with multiple challenges and a better need for communication to the public sector. The current city council members have done their service for the community, and now it’s time for a change.

Key topics:

1. Property tax break for seniors whose main income is Social Security
2. Move to split the city up into districts (this will help ensure different sections of the city can be heard)
3. Grow the connection/relationships with local small businesses

Vince Manfredi

I want to continue to serve because I love this job, and I love having an impact on Maricopa. My family and I are engaged in this city, and we share the same worries and concerns as our fellow Maricopans. Being in a position to help the community and effect change is awesome.

I want to continue lowering tax rates and cutting spending and continue to leverage my experience, relationships and positions – I serve on four transportation committees throughout the state – to improve State Route 347 and provide alternate transportation routes to ease congestion and commutes for all of us.

Henry Staggs

I did not want to run at all, to begin with. But I was challenged by someone with whom I was in an argument. And after I thought about that for a few weeks, I decided that I would run.

I love Maricopa and the potential we have here. And for the most part, our leadership has been stellar. But some of them are becoming complacent and it shows. A city council is not something you do for a living … you get in for a term or two and go back to the real world. We are strongest when we are diverse. The council should be diverse, and that also means people come in. Do their duty, be a good council member and then let someone else do it.

I do things that are for the good of others, that is not easy to do, and most often making personal sacrifices to get it done. That is who I am, and that is the type of council member I would be. I won’t go along to get along, that is not in my character. I will do whatever I can to ensure the success of the youth and small business owners in this city.

Rich Vitiello

I love helping people. The people of Maricopa are a great mix of public servants, professionals, educators, service workers, students and others from all walks of life and areas. After moving here, my wife and I fell in love with living in Maricopa. As a sitting city council member, I can support our public safety efforts, civic projects and help residents, business people and other city employees make Maricopa a better place to work, do business and live.

Henry Wade

The answer to your question as to why I am running for re-election is very simple – we still have a lot of work to do, and I think we’re a good council that can get things done. Other than that, it is simply because I love what I do in support of Maricopa.