Mayor Anthony Smith’s responses to additional ‘live chat’ questions

Mayor Anthony Smith fielded questions from residents on Feb. 16 as part of InMaricopa.com’s continuing series of ‘live chats’ with the candidates.

 

Smith is running against two mayoral challengers in the primary election on March 9: Leon Potter and Ken Hunt.

 

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

 

Question:  Is it your intention to extend the city manager’s contract when it expires?

Smith:  Mr. Evans has tons of experience, is tough, passionate, fair and a capable leader. He has managed a multiple number of cities, several much larger than Maricopa. City council conducts his annual performance evaluation. Judging solely on past performance and not financial considerations, I would look favorably at extending his contract. However, I am one vote out of seven. 

 

Question:  In the February issue of InMaricopa on page 5 “Cleaning up the air,” it states that five of the eight meters (EPA monitoring stations in Pinal County) show the poorest air quality in the country. What will you do to clean up the dangerous PM10/PM2 particles here? What is your opinion on getting a monitoring station in place for hydrogen sulfate and ammonia? These areas are all dangerous to our health; are you aware of these issues? (see next item for answers to both)

Question:  What will you do about our severe air pollution problem (particulates and hydrogen sulfate / ammonia gases) that we are breathing daily in Maricopa?

Smith:  We have been very actively participating in all air quality-related meetings and decisions/direction. We have been spending dollars to pave roads, stabilize road aprons and working to remove three fourths of the cattle in the Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway feedlot. In addition, we are actively involved in the development of action plans going forward. We are hardly on the “sidelines.” As I answered earlier, if you believe high levels of any chemical or substance is impacting humans, please report these immediately to Pinal County Air Quality and forward me your concerns. I will get answers for you. 

 

Question:  Oh, I totally agree with Corey’s questions (see original live chat). It seems we spend way too much money on these three council members going to League of City meetings, and I have not seen them bring anything home. When will we get the bang for the buck?
Smith:  I will dedicate time in a future work session for these council members to report on their National League of Cities committee activity and how they are going to impact change for Maricopa.

 

Question:  We love Maricopa. We like how it has an almost exclusive, resort-like feel to it. We were disappointed about plans for a church/school to go forward with modular buildings. Is that type of building going to be allowed throughout the city?

Smith: According to the plans I’ve seen, the facility you are speaking of will be set down at ground level, landscaped and made to be consistent with the adjacent developments. The city reviews these types of projects, one at a time.

 

Question:  Mayor Smith, what areas of the school district/ city relationship need to improve to make that partnership more productive?

Smith:  We have made good progress. However, I believe the thing that could improve is for the school leadership to embrace the partnership with more passion.     

 

Question:  Maricopa is one of a handful of cities that pay 100 percent benefits; healthcare benefits in Maricopa are not like other cities in the state. Answer the question:  why should council members be getting this benefit?

Smith:  After a little research, council members have been covered along with the rest of the city staff since the beginning. The estimated cost to taxpayers is $1,000 per council member per month. I speculate that the reason any benefits are provided is similar in any business—to attract and keep quality people. Since this is the first time I’ve had this question, I ask people to contact city council by email or during our city council “call to the public” periods and let us know how you feel about this issue.    

 

Smith:  Again, thanks to all for the great questions. Please remember to get out and vote!

 

See the original live chat questions answered here.
 

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