Community volunteer hopes to join husband in public service

Nancy Smith is no stranger to Maricopa politics. Her husband Anthony is a former mayor of the city and current Pinal County supervisor. Hoping to join her husband in public service representing Maricopa, Nancy is running for the two-year city council seat.

Nancy Smith
www.NancySmithForCityCouncil.com

Age:

Family: Husband Tony Smith and five children

Education: Associate Degree in electronic technology and Bachelor of Arts Degree in business management

Maricopa resident since: 2003

Arizona residence since: 1979

Hometown: Joliet, Ill.

Profession: Program performance management

Prior elected office held: None

Community involvement: My campaign slogan “A Proven Passion for Our Community” speaks directly to this question. I’ve been involved in our wonderful community since before the city incorporated. I am one of three co-founders of F.O.R. Maricopa Food Bank. I have served as a committee chair for American Cancer Society’s Maricopa Relay for Life over the past four years, including serving as event co-chair this year. With regard to civic activities, I graduated from the first Citizen Leadership Academy, and I’ve served on MUSD committees and presented items to city council throughout the years. I take advantage of opportunities to get involved and use those experiences to learn more about our city. I’m not someone who just jumped into the city council race. I want to run because I believe in our city and want to contribute even more. I love Maricopa, and I want this city to succeed on all levels.

Hobbies: I love to spend time creating unique and fun crafts. I enjoy sharing this creative side with other people, especially kids. Each year, I attempt to design a craft out of recycled items to compete in a local recycled art contest. However, nothing is better than hanging out and playing golf with my husband, goofing off with my grandchildren and laughing it up with good friends and family!

Why are you running? Since I moved to Maricopa, I’ve always said, “If you can’t find a way to serve and make a change in Maricopa, you aren’t looking very hard: I followed the process of Maricopa’s incorporation into a city and immediately found ways to play a role in the success of creating a community. That’s what it is all about, creating a community. It’s not about politics; it’s so much more than that. Community to me is about creating a safe environment where residents can enjoy local parks and amenities with their families; where they can shop for all their needs without driving very far; where they can eat and enjoy the company of others; where they can work and enjoy talking about local news with their fellow coworkers; where the schools are successful in graduating high performing students who have options for higher education; and where people feel like they are home right here in Maricopa. I believe I have some great ideas and the desire to keep moving Maricopa in the direction of my “community” dream. I am very interested in hearing residents' ideas, hopes and dreams. That’s why I want to be your city councilwoman!

What differentiates you from your opponents? The first thing that differentiates me from my opponents is my long-running involvement in our community. I believe I’m the only candidate who has demonstrated my interest in city council by presenting and offering different views and options publically to city council, not just this year but since the city's incorporation. I’m not afraid to ask the hard questions, and I believe that is a big part of being a member of city council. A second way I’m different is that I believe I can hit the ground running! This is a critical advantage for a two-year term. My exposure to city government, the issues, the needs, the priorities of our residents and my involvement in many non-profits around the community has afforded me valuable experience, great relationships and networking that will benefit the city. A third way I’m different is that I’m running on my own independent ideas and views. I want to share with you, the resident, my ideas and views and convince you I’m the right person for the job. I don’t want you to see a picture of me with other elected officials, hoping to convince you that, because I may know them, I’m the person for the job. We need seven distinctive, independent people on our city council who share their own opinions/voices to achieve the best for Maricopa!

What qualifies you to serve in this capacity? My passion for our community and wanting the best for the residents is the first and foremost thing that qualifies me to serve in this capacity. The residents have to be my first concern. If a candidate doesn’t list that first, it doesn’t matter what the rest of their response includes. Aside from that, I’ve worked for well over 20 years for a couple large military suppliers, Motorola and General Dynamics. My career is in Program Performance Management on programs such as Space Station. My experience in this area includes understanding multi-million dollar (balanced) budgets, both the financial status of programs, and the performance of each program. Basically my career is focused on knowing the health of a program, being proactive in fixing problems, and being able to anticipate upcoming needs. This is exactly what a city council member should be doing!

What will you do for Maricopa if elected? If I’m elected, the biggest thing I would do for Maricopa is listen. I can’t possibly know the desires of our residents if I’m always the person talking. I want to put emphasis on economic development by being the council member who understands that we need to invest in the type of infrastructure that will encourage large businesses to bring their companies to Maricopa. Included in economic development is the desire to support solutions for flood zones and eliminate the high cost of flood insurance. I want our community to understand what our options are with regard to our utilities, and I will have the boldness to explore them. I want to support our Police Chief in ensuring that we stay at or above the eighth safest city in Arizona. And, finally, I want to be the council member who protects our taxpayers by asking the questions that ensure we are saving money when and where we can.

What do you like most about campaigning? I love people, and I love problems. I’m serious; I have a mind that enjoys solving problems and looking for the easiest and best way to do that. While campaigning, I’ve asked many residents to tell me what they like and don’t like about Maricopa. When I find a common theme as to what residents don’t like, I share it with our current city council and city staff. Together, we’ve already solved two of the problems that residents have shared with me. I love that I’m not even elected and already having a proactive, positive impact on our community.

What do you like least about campaigning? The heat!

What politician do you admire most, and why? My favorite politician has to be Abraham Lincoln. President Lincoln worked across party boundaries to bring our nation to a place where we respect the dignity of all people, and he kept this great nation united and free.  I want to be the type of leader who respects and represents all!