Additional ‘live chat’ responses from council candidate Brent Murphree

Vice Mayor Brent Murphree fielded questions from residents on Feb. 26 as part of InMaricopa.com’s continuing series of ‘live chats’ with the candidates.

Murphree is one of eight candidates vying for one of three council seats in the March 9 primary election.

The following additional questions were received after the time allotment for the live chat ended:

Question:  It seems more announcements are coming out during election time. Does it take an election to motivate you?
Murphree:  I have always been more than motivated to get things done in Maricopa because it is my home. It doesn’t take an election to get things done.

Question:  How do you feel about council assigning individuals to sit on committees?
Murphree:  The committees are designed to be extensions of the city council. They are a tool by which we discover and are informed. In code it is the council’s responsibility to make committee assignments.

Question:  What is your opinion on the override and how will you vote?
Murphree:  It’s a tough position. It is continuation of an existing override. However, I am not for new taxes.  I still need assurances that this money will go to benefit the students and not top heavy administration. I am told that the money would only go toward student programs. However, we just spent millions on a new administration building; sure it came out of a different fund, but it was built on our backs. I need to be convinced it is a good thing.

Question:  How much information were council members given on the layoffs that occurred last year? Did council have input on these layoffs?
Murphree:  Council had no input on the layoff decision. Council established policy. The city manger is in charge of the personnel that carry out that policy.
 
Question:  Is there corruption in city hall?
Murphree:  There is always some waste or corruption when the bureaucratic government is in charge of management. However, I believe that Maricopa is small enough that we can keep that waste to a minimum. To answer the question at large – no.  On an individual level there may be, but, if I get wind of it, I address it immediately.

Question:  There are many city employees in fear of losing their jobs if they speak up regarding city problems. A happy employee is a productive employee. What are your thoughts on the disconnect in city hall?
Murphree:  If you could give me specifics, I would be happy to address it.

Question:  If Mr. Evans has such a great head, why hasn’t he produced a single result in three years?
Murphree:  Can you be specific? Mr. Evans and the council have laid a pretty good foundation for economic development by purchasing land for infrastructure. CAC is currently negotiating with landowners for campus property, Yulex has decided to remain in Maricopa, hotels are finalizing plans to come to Maricopa, there are three hospitals who are negotiating with city officials to locate in Maricopa and we continue to talk to a theater company to locate here; the city is very busy on that front.

Question:  What do you feel about the people who lie in the redevelopment district not being represented in their native tongue?
Murphree:  Those who need assistance in understanding the Redevelopment District Plan have access to translators, and the city provides access to non-native speakers. 

Question:  Will you fight to remove the cows from Maricopa?
Murphree:  I have already taken action to assure that the air in Maricopa becomes clean.  We are moving the cows out.

Question:  Was Murphy Street named after you or your family members?
Murphree:  No. My name is spelled MURPHREE. The road is named after someone else who was here long before my family arrived.

Question:  Are you in agreement with Mayor Smith on the situations the city faces?
Murphree:  You need to be more specific. While I agree with Mayor Smith on some things, I have a mind of my own, and we don’t always agree on things.  The real key to my relationship with the rest of the council is that I know how to work through conflict to resolve issues and get something done.

Question:  Who is you current employer? How much time do you have available to put into council?
Murphree:  My current employer is the Cotton Board, the research and promotion arm of the cotton industry. My office is in my home in Rancho El Dorado. I am always available to work on city matters, understanding that I have a responsibility to the people who pay me to work for them. I easily put in 15 hours a week on city matters.

Question:  Can you tell me one thing you would like to see changed?
Murphree:  First I would like to see a permanent city hall. I am very frustrated at the time it has taken us to buy into the city by giving the community a city hall on land that we own.  On the other hand, one of the reasons it has taken a long time is because of land prices and the reasonable availability of that land. I also would like to see a bigger emphasis on new development – business and private – that is more innovative and cutting edge.

Question:  After several months of limited discussions the city and MUSD have done very little work together to come up with an IGA. What do you see being the main obstacle in these negotiations?
Murphree:  The city has always pursued an active relationship with MUSD and has used school buildings from the beginning. There was never an obstacle unless it was lack of functional space. We are now able to use a MUSD facility that will not interfere with school activities or bring undue activity to an environment where our children are present.

See questions and responses from the original ‘live chat’ here.

File photo