Councilman Alan Marchione resigns

Alan Marchione resigned from the Maricopa City Council Thursday afternoon, effective immediately.

“It’s a tough time for everybody,” Mayor Christian Price said Thursday evening. “I think it’s going to be a great time for Maricopa to heal and move forward.”

Phone calls to Marchione were not returned.

City Manager Brenda Fischer, who brought the complaint to the city attorney, could not be reached for comment.

Marchione has faced several public calls for his resignation after a complaint was filed against him alleging misconduct at work, including sexual harassment and making city staff feel as though their jobs were in jeopardy.

Phoenix attorney Bill Sims, hired by the city to investigate the allegations, said Marchione was “abrasive” but did not sexually harass or threaten employees.

Despite the report’s conclusions, a recall effort was begun Wednesday by former Maricopa Unified School District President Jim Chaston.

“It’s with some regret that I’m submitting this letter,” Marchione said in his resignation letter released by the city. “My record will show that I’ve always had (the city’s) best interests in mind, that I’ve been willing to make the hard decisions, and that I’ve been available to and approachable by the citizens of Maricopa.”

Marchione said although it was “difficult” for him to resign, “there comes a time in battle when a person must fully evaluate the toll being taken on what is ‘really important’ in their life; their priorities.”

He listed those as “God, family and my health.”

Maricopa City Coucilwoman Julia Gusse, who called for Marchione’s resignation, said she “wished him the best in his endeavors.”

“I’ve never wished him any ill,” Gusse said.

Gusse filed a separate complaint against Marchione still under investigation.

The city council will officially adopt or ratify Marchione’s resignation at its Oct. 16 meeting.

According to the city code, his vacancy will be filled by appointment.

***ADVERTISEMENT***Marchione was first elected to the Maricopa City Council in 2010.

In November, he wrote a city-election op-ed piece criticizing unnamed bloggers spreading “uninformed negative political rhetoric.”

“Moving Maricopa forward isn’t just about having ideas; it’s about building good working relationships with your fellow members of council, city staff and our many community partners.  It won’t always be ‘Rainbows and Lollipops,’ but finding shared commonalities through communication, is the key,” Marchione wrote.

To read Councilman Marchione's letter of resignation click here.