City Council election: Learn about the candidates

Adam Leach

Age: 43
Hometown: Rehoboth, Mass.
Years in Maricopa: 16
Family: Married to Tylena; sons Rowan Dickson and Paxton Leach
Political background: Republican
Community service: I volunteer a lot within the city (Cub Scout Pack 389, Boy Scout Troop 389, flag football coach and soccer coach. (Stepped down from Parks, Recreation and Library.)

What are your qualifications to be a councilmember?
My qualifications are that I am a hard-working, dedicated, passionate person who wants the best for our community. I am a local real estate agent, investor and entrepreneur.

How would you improve the city’s transportation infrastructure?
I know the City offered transportation out of the city some time ago, and since stopped the service. I would like us to bring that service back and promote the value of this service. As we all have seen, the price of gas has risen. Transportation to Casa Grande and the Valley is key to reducing vehicles on the roads.

How should the city approach commercial and housing growth?
The City boards (P&Z, etc.) and City Council need to make sure the interests of the residents are first and foremost. We need additional commercial space that is spread out within the city (like East Maricopa) would be a huge benefit and need. The housing growth has been a lot in the last few months with land purchases, etc. The communication of how long until we the residents see the land being developed should be better and more informing of the design plans.

What is the one thing you’d like to change about Maricopa as a councilmember?
I would like to see councilmembers assigned to different sections of the city to help be a better voice for the residents in those areas.

What is your proudest achievement?
My proudest achievement is being a dad to my two sons.

On what aspect of city government are you least knowledgeable?
I would say my least knowledge of city government is our local ordinances.

Vincent Manfredi

Age: 51
Hometown: West New York, New Jersey
Years in Maricopa: 12
Family: Married with 3 daughters
Political background: I am a conservative Republican. The first political campaign I volunteered for was Ronald Reagan in 1980 when I was 10 years old. I have volunteered on numerous campaigns for local, county, legislative, statewide and national candidates. This volunteerism has made me friends at every level of government, which has helped when lobbying for the needs of Maricopans.

Community service: Since moving to Maricopa, I have volunteered with Maricopa Pantry food bank; FOR Maricopa food bank; Maricopa Historical Society; Maricopa Unified School District; Babe Ruth League; Maricopa Little League; MHS Football, Softball, Basketball and Soccer Boosters; and many other charities and organizations, including working with our veterans.

What are your qualifications?
I have served for more than seven years on City Council, the last six months as vice mayor. I will be trusted to be the interim mayor as we search for a replacement for Mayor Price. I currently serve on Budget and Finance City Council Subcommittee, Central Arizona Governments (CAG) Regional Council Member, Rural Transportation Advocacy Council, Pinal County Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors, and the Arizona League of Cities & Towns Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Works Committee. I have engrained myself in every aspect of city government and given my time to the city freely. I have only missed three council meetings in 12 years, and two of those were to attend my daughters’ graduations.

How would you improve the city’s transportation infrastructure? I serve on four transportation boards or committees impacting the city of Maricopa. I have dedicated myself to improving transportation for the citizens of Maricopa. We as a city will continue to repair, expand and add roads within city limits. The current Capital Improvement Plan I helped formulate as a member of the Budget Finance Subcommittee has $59 million dedicated to streets infrastructure. The East-West Corridor and Green Road bypass are the two biggest projects we are working on, and both will have a huge impact on the traffic in the city. We have allocated over $30 million collected from developer impact fees on new construction for the East-West Corridor alone.

Of course, SR 347 takes up most of my worries and my goals consist of an extra lane in both directions, an overpass at Riggs Road, interchanges at Maricopa Road, Casa Blanca Road and at the cement plant, and a new interchange at I-10.

How should the city approach commercial and housing growth?
All growth needs to be approached in a measured way to allow for what we need and what we want. Housing and transportation are the two biggest obstacles to commercial growth, and we have been working to alleviate both.

What is the one thing you’d like to change about Maricopa?
I have brought about a ton of change already; I would like to continue to see an increase in the quantity and variety of restaurants. I love the local shops we have, but we need more. I hate driving out of town for things and would prefer we have it all right here. We also need to focus on jobs and industry so residents can work, live and play all at home in Maricopa.
What is your proudest achievement?
Being father to three great daughters is my proudest achievement. When I see the strong women they have become, it underscores that everything I did up until meeting them was just preparation for my life as their father. Everything else pales in comparison.

On what aspect of city government are you least knowledgeable?
Human resource legalities.

Rich Vitiello

Age: 57
Hometown: New York City
Years in Maricopa: 17
Family: Wife (Joann), 4 daughters, 10 grandkids
Political background: Republican; however, the City Council is a non-partisan group of elected officials. Nobody runs as an “R” or “D.”
Community service: Current City Council representative; previously, I volunteered with the Maricopa Police Department, Food Bank, 2040 Vision Committee, City Board of Adjustments, MUSD JV softball coach, fundraisers for Maricopa residents in hardship, donations of bicycles to the fire and police departments, umpire at the American Legion annual softball game and graduated from the Maricopa Leadership Academy.

What are your qualifications?
Transparency, honesty and accountability are what made me successful in 25 years of international business experience. I have been actively engaged in city government issues and have participated firsthand in initiatives that have a direct impact on Maricopa’s development, growth and quality of life. Before I was elected a City Council representative, I was appointed to the 2040 Visionary Committee and the Board of Adjustments. As a candidate, I am endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police and the Arizona Association of Firefighters. I truly care about this city and our community. I am currently the general manager for Kooline Plumbing and have first-hand local business experience.

How would you improve the city’s transportation infrastructure?
Our current traffic flow is an issue to some residents, especially those who travel on the 347 during morning and evening rush hours. Unfortunately, issues on the 347 outside of the city limits are out of our hands. Within the city limits, we’ve got our city engineers and traffic people studying traffic flow to lessen congestion through signal timing and coordination on an ongoing basis. When we speak to business developers about opportunities, we do our best to enlighten and encourage business development in areas other than the 347 (John Wayne Parkway) business corridor. We have availability on Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway, Edison Road between SR347 and SR238, and other areas, especially near City Hall. Obviously, the 347 is an issue, but I believe that as more businesses are established here, people will stop driving out of town to go to work.

How should the city approach commercial and housing growth?
In 2018, I noted that “Maricopa is currently composed of numerous single-family houses. Our city has enough land to support alternative forms of housing, such as townhomes and condos, and in doing so may see that it retains residents who could not afford to buy or rent a single-family house. That would increase our local workforce and may help to attract new business. We also have a burgeoning senior population, and I believe it is imperative that senior housing, such as assisted living centers, be developed within our city. This could enable families to stay in the local area, preventing them from being separated by distance or economic factors.”

I stand by that statement. We’re seeing some recent developments in apartments and other housing that will enable those who need alternatives to single-family residences get what they need so our workforce and families remain local. And yes, there will be some growing pains. There always are when things change.

What is the one thing you’d like to change about Maricopa?
I said it before – Maricopa needs more local, high-paying jobs. I’ll do what I can to help our residents stay local and not have to go out of town to get high-paying jobs. The changes we’ve seen have moved our city from a small town to a growing city that can compete with others to gain business development and benefit our residents economically through jobs and opportunities. I want to do more.

What is your proudest achievement?
Marrying my wife and raising our four daughters and 10 grandchildren.

On what aspect of city government are you least knowledgeable?
One third of Maricopa is in a flood zone, affecting city housing, transportation, growth and business development. I am learning more about how this issue may be resolved by sitting in on events and meetings with Flood District President Dan Frank and Mayor Christian Price. I look forward to learning more and working with other officials.

Henry Wade

Age: Would not disclose
Hometown: Los Angeles
Years in Maricopa: 14
Family: Married, Gayle Randolph; 3 sons; 1 grandson
Political background: Non-partisan elected official; 8 years on City Council
Community service: Many youth programs, including Youth Council Advisory. My heart resides with the community of Maricopa.

What are your qualifications? One year as vice mayor, seven years on City Council, where I have participated in the most important issues facing the city, including transportation, economic development and public safety issues.

How would you improve the city’s transportation infrastructure? To improve transportation, I would work with local government entities, including Ak-Chin Indian Community, the Gila River Indian Community, Pinal County and the Arizona Department of Transportation. I would work together with my fellow councilmembers for us to put our best foot forward on improvements. I think we’re on a good path to smart transportation. I think as we continue to build relationships with our partners and our community members themselves, we shall develop policies that are reflective of our commitment to smart transportation.

How should the city approach commercial and housing growth? Methodically and responsibly. We have the ability to provide efficient and local growth. We have strong residential planning and economic development departments. We have a solid partnership with MEDA, of which I am a board member, that helps to tell our story to businesses looking to locate to our community. With the installation of Mayor Christian Price as MEDA president and CEO, he will help us to make thoughtful and intelligent decisions for our overall growth.

What is the one thing you’d like to change about Maricopa? Less political signs.

What is your proudest achievement? Mock City Council, as part of the Councilmen on the Corner program. I took a group of young people, ages 7-15, and showed them how the City Council actually works, from nomination of councilmembers to voting on issues to developing a project with city departments and presenting the City Council to the public. The greatest thing was watching the young people take ownership of the process.

On what aspect of city government are you least knowledgeable? Public safety, since it is a structured organization in and of itself. It has its own intricate policies, which often change. I am always looking to learn more about public safety so I can keep my constituents better informed.

This content was first published in the July edition of InMaricopa magazine.
Vincent Manfredi is co-owner of InMaricopa.