Profile: City Council candidate Alan Marchione

InMaricopa: Who are you?

Marchione: I’m 38 years old, and a native of Buffalo, N.Y. Yes, I’m running for city council, but there’s more to it than that. I’m asking for your trust. It’s my belief Maricopa is in need of conservative leadership. Since November 2006, my wife, Misty, and I have made Maricopa our home, and this is where we’ll raise our children, Alivia Ann (four), and Holden Alan (born Dec 14). Please understand, I’m not running for city council to make friends; I’m running to do what’s right for our community. Holding an elected office requires one to make difficult decisions, and my decisions will be based upon what’s best for Maricopa; not on how my decision may affect my re-electability. It’s my intention to be a community leader, but stand side by side with my fellow citizens as we face the challenges of the uncertain future.

InMaricopa: Why are you the best candidate?

Marchione: It’s my belief that your government works for you, and I’ll maintain the highest expectations of integrity, transparency, and accountability with how your government operates and presents itself. Integrity and character play a vital role in governance. I’ll ensure you have the information you need to know, to make educated decisions for you and your family. I’ll not lie or tell you selective truths that only insult your intelligence. Maricopa’s citizens deserve the right to make an “informed” decision. 

Public service is about putting your community before yourself. It should never be about obtaining a title, or recognition. It’s about being the steward of the public trust; it’s about doing the right thing when no one is looking. Good leaders make decisions based on independent thought. I’ll make decisions based on my values, and my beliefs, I’ll hold true to them, and will not be swayed by the idea of “going with the flow” or for whatever is “popular” at the time. “Popular” represents the “now,” and may not represent what’s best for the long term. I also have no potential conflicts of interest; I own only the land my home sits on, and I am in no way connected to any developer or utility company in the state of Arizona.

It’s important to me that you understand the values and beliefs I hold true, and that I would take to council with me in the form of your voice. What would it say about me and my character, and the trust you would have in me, if I were to change my values and beliefs with each different audience? I must hold true to my sense of integrity, and stand fast in my principles.

InMaricopa: What specific experience do you bring to this office?

Marchione: I’m a five-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps, and a former correctional officer with the California Department. of Corrections. Since my arrival in Maricopa, I’ve made it a point to be very active in my community. Currently, I’m in my second term as vice president of the Villages at Rancho El Dorado HOA, chair of the Villages at Rancho El Dorado recreation-center oversight committee, a former member of the city of Maricopa public safety committee, member of the American Legion, and a graduate of Maricopa’s first Leadership Academy. I have also participated in Copa Cares, am a member of the Maricopa seniors advisory committee, and have been active in supporting the Maricopa food bank. I am currently employed by the Intel Corporation in Chandler.

InMaricopa: If elected, what is or are the first thing you would change on the council?

Marchione: There are many things I think we could do differently here in Maricopa; however, below are listed some of the changes I would advocate for with my voice on your council: 

Public safety: Eliminate the position of public safety director. In already having a police and fire chief in place, I see this position as nothing more than an unnecessary burden on the Maricopa taxpayer. Split the police and fire departments back into their own respective departments. Legally appoint a police and fire chief to their respective positions. Currently, our police and fire chiefs have been appointed outside of our city’s code. City code specifically states that the chief of police is to be appointed by the city council. One option would be to return the current director of public safety to his council-appointed position of police chief.  Institute an addition to our city code that would outline the hiring process for the position of fire chief; similar to the one currently outlining the hiring of the police chief.

Economic Development: Continue work in progress on the outlined redevelopment district. Work towards acquiring land for the purpose of creating shovel ready sites for prospective developers and business. Continue efforts at bringing employment to Maricopa, especially in the small to medium manufacturing sector. 

Infrastructure and Transportation: Stop spending taxpayer dollars to lobby our own congressman, on the proposed 347 grade separation, who is already paid with our tax dollars.

InMaricopa: What are the three most important issues facing your Maricopa area constituents, and what would you do to address each?

Marchione: Realistically, there are more than three important issues facing Maricopa, and each is co-dependent on the other. Without infrastructure improvements, there will be hindered economic development. Without economic development, job creation won’t happen.  I think you get the picture. Below are just some items on my list, and in keeping with Maricopa’s strategic plan. The strategic plan is an evolving plan that must remain flexible enough to respond to social and economic conditions.

Ensure there’s a robust approach towards economic development, and eliminate the excessive use of consultants, and waste of taxpayer monies. I’m not saying that the city isn’t in need of the services of consultants from time to time, but we must ensure that their use return on investment is justified against measurable results.

Continue working towards providing an acceptable “community center” that will meet the needs of Maricopa’s diverse citizens. Maricopa is very much in need of some form of multi-generational facility.  At this time, council has approved the issuance of $20 million in bonds. Although I’m against bond debt, the effectiveness of the allotted funds will be based upon the proper management and execution of approved projects.

Seeking to bring employment opportunities to Maricopa’s diverse work force. Maricopa will need to continue to make economic development, and supporting local business, its top priority. The lack of shovel-ready sites is a real problem, and to continue looking for opportunities on getting them is key. Developer impact fees will also need to be tailored to create an incentive for prospective employers to move to the area.

Promoting a mutually beneficial relationship between the city and school district, bringing savings to taxpayers, and ensuring Maricopa’s youth have access to adequate recreational facilities. The city has expressed a need for additional parks for youth activities, and the MUSD has plenty of facilities that would satisfy this need. Our local school district and city draws its purse from the same local tax payers, and both should work together, and collaborate to maximize the services offered to the community’s youth. I’ll provide my undivided attention at making sure the necessary measures are put in place to get these agreements on shared use completed.

Ensuring that all new, and revised city codes, reflect the balance, between what’s best for the City, its residents, local business, and our civil liberties. As a veteran, I will not sacrifice one civil liberty for the convenience of enforcement.

Ensuring our public safety department is properly trained and well equipped, to safely perform their important community service, and is held to the highest standard. It’s my intention to always support the needs of public safety. We must ensure that our officers and firemen have the resources to perform their job diligently; with respect to the safety of the public, and department personnel. Our men and women in uniform will have the tools, and training, to do their job with the highest level of professionalism.

Continuation of building upon Maricopa’s transportation and infrastructure needs, and remain focused on completion of the proposed 347 grade separation. The railroad represents a hazard to public safety, as police and fire services may be hindered in their response time if caught up waiting for a train to pass. I’ll work with city staff, and continue to appeal to our representatives in higher levels of government to acquire the cooperation and available funds needed to fund the project.

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