Peggy Chapados appointed to City Council

Civic activist Peggy Chapados was appointed to the Maricopa City Council Monday, and sworn in, after a lengthy interview process of eight candidates and three rounds of voting.

“I’m very honored to be chosen,” Chapados said.

She said she was “looking forward to diving right in” and especially was excited about being part of the many ongoing projects – the city hall complex, regional park and especially the multigenerational and aquatic center – being built.

When the dust settled after oral interviews and a vote for the top candidates, Chapados and Shawn Schlegel had garnered the most votes — Chapados had three and Schlegel had two —  prompting the council to pose additional questions to the hopefuls.

The following vote between the two, however, resulted in a tie that prompted still further discussion.

Councilman Leon Potter pointed out Chapados’ name came up several times when other candidates were asked who they would appoint from the pool of applicants.

“Based on that, I would say she’s a good candidate,” Potter said.

Councilman Bridger Kimball countered that Chapados’ name was well-known throughout the community and that may be why her name had come up.

Chapados is secretary of Maricopa Seniors and, until her nomination, which forces her to resign, chairwoman of the Parks, Library and Recreation advisory board.

She is a founding member of the Maricopa Police Foundation and has been president and vice president of The Villages homeowners’ association.

Previously, she was on the public safety advisory committee.

Kimball said Schlegel, as the former publisher of the Maricopa Communicator, was also active in the community and was the best choice.

Schlegel, a real estate broker and 10-year resident of Maricopa, cited his experience as a publisher, business developer and founder of the Festival of Trees Rob Morrow foundation as examples of his leadership experience.

Vice Mayor Edward Farrell pointed to Chapados’ record of frequently attending civic meetings.

“When it comes to involvement and being a part of the community, it just doesn’t get any better than when you look at Peg Chapados,” he said.

During the follow-up interview, Farrell asked the two to answer one of the main interview questions again: What did they see were the three main obstacles facing the city.

Both candidates stuck with their original answers.

Schlegel said: infrastructure and developing the industrial park and Seven Ranches area.

Chapados listed the general economic environment, challenges paying for maintenance and operations of future city facilities and balancing the budget for the next fiscal year.

Gusse asked the pair what their largest contribution to the city of Maricopa has been.

“My time,” Chapados said, pointing out she sat on several boards and attempted to attend all city council meetings.

Schlegel said his local business ventures, such as a recent expansion of the Sunrise Café, were his contributions. However, “The newspaper was probably the biggest contribution to this city,” he said.

The initial bank of applicants was pared down from 16 – after one dropped out — and councilmembers wrote their top choices on a paper ballot.