City managers, mayors reveal philosophies

Elected officials, business and nonprofit representatives gathered Friday morning at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino. The event, organized by Pinal Partnership, featured a question and answer session for the mayors and city managers of Maricopa and Eloy.

Vice-Mayor Edward Farrell was emcee for the informal event. The represented cities were split in between the podium and, with cue cards in hand, Farrell drew a few laughs by saying “I feel like a game show host here.”

Farrell reflected on his long relationship with Mayor Bryon Jackson of Eloy as they grew up together and that everyone knew Jackson would one day go into politics for “being likable and able to work a room.” He also joked about their times “tearing up the desert.” 

Farrell started the Q&A with City Manager Brenda Fischer, asking her, “What drew her to the city of Maricopa?”

Fischer replied she saw an opportunity of working with a “great city” and that the challenges reminded her of Henderson, Nev., and Glendora, Calif., where she last held the position of deputy city manager. She also saw the potential for her to advance Maricopa “where it needs to go.”

Farrell followed up with asking her what challenge surprised her the most, and Fischer responded said there were not any real surprises. Before she was hired, Fischer said she had researched the area, the city and its projects. If one issue stood out, she noted flood control and the extent to which the issue posed. 

Mayor Anthony Smith was asked “what separated” Fischer from other applicants.

“A good working history with a relevance to the city of Maricopa,” replied Smith. “She came with an understanding and enthusiasm. We have a lot of projects and an environment that continues to evolve.”

Farrell asked the same questions of Ruth Osuna, who in December was hired as Eloy city manager. Osuna spoke of development and her goals to optimize the natural beauty around the community.

Fischer said her goal was to “be remembered as the city manager who got it done.” She said to lead Maricopa she had to have a “shotgun effect” to address the multiple components of infrastructure, economic development and the large-scale projects like a new city hall. She kidded with the audience that she “doesn’t sleep during the work week.”

“You’ll have to pound on my door to wake me up on Saturday morning,” Fischer said. “I sleep in like a teenager would.”

The city managers were also asked to discuss the significance of being women in a leadership role. Osuna said, “Across the country only 2 to 3 percent of city managers are women.”  She also joked about being nice, but that “tough decisions have to be made.”

Fischer said that being a mother has also helped her to listen and respect others.

“I treat everyone as I would want to be treated,” Fischer said.