Profile: City council candidate Brent Murphree

InMaricopa: Who are you?

Murphree: I have lived in Maricopa much of my life. I am currently 50 years old. In 1967, my parents moved us from the Chandler area to farm family land in this area. I graduated from Maricopa High School in 1977 and obtained my BA in Journalism from Arizona State University. I have worked in communications for most of my professional life, including three years in the city of Chandler’s city manager’s office as the assistant public information officer. I have worked for the last 14 years as a communications manager for the cotton industry. For 13 of those years, I worked for the government affairs and lobbying side of the industry — the National Cotton Council. In November 2008, I made the lateral move to the Cotton Board — the industry’s research and promotion arm where I run communications for the western region of the cotton belt.

InMaricopa: Why are you the best candidate?

Murphree: I have devoted a great deal of my life to serving the public through volunteerism and advocacy. I love my community and choose to live here because it is my home. I am well versed in public policy and consensus building. My heart is in this community where my family and friends live.

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

Murphree: I began my career in communications working with the principals of the city of Chandler during a time of rapid growth and expansion. During that time, Chandler was building their infrastructure including planning for the 101 Freeway, beginning their downtown redevelopment and setting high standards for developments and job recruitment. I learned a lot about what to do during that time. More importantly, I learned what not to do.

With this experience and the knowledge I gained as a longtime resident, I helped incorporate Maricopa so that those who lived here could control their own destiny, as opposed to those in the county or state who had no stake in our community. I am an advocate for the community and home that I love.

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

Murphree: The state of Maricopa’s municipal government is continually adapting and adjusting to change. I believe that is these tough times the current city council, including myself, has done an admirable job adjusting to the change in economic climate. We need to work hard to get our fellow residents to get involved in their community.

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

Murphree: The three most important issues facing Maricopa constituents are home values, rising utility costs and healthcare. While the city cannot solve these problems, it can have a great impact on easing the burden they present.

Home values can be increased by creating a strong economic base and demand, two things that will take place if we bring business and jobs to our town. We need to continue a strong recruitment effort for jobs and business in Maricopa.

There are a number of reasons the cost of our utilities have risen. Among those reasons are the increased cost of power and the slow growth of expected housing. In order to cover the cost of infrastructure for both water and electricity we need to bump demand for housing already platted for within the city. It is also incumbent upon the city council to advocate for its citizens as the controlling boards for our utilities are outside of the city council’s control.

And finally, Maricopa needs a hospital and a functional urgent care. I have been very active in the recruitment of a major hospital for our area. I will continue to work with the major healthcare entities to make sure that we get the hospital we need.

Other issues that are top priorities are: Continued traffic infrastructure improvement, maintaining a healthy public safety environment and channeled, focused growth in areas where it will serve Maricopa most effectively. Education also needs to be a big focus as our residents are young, smart and eager.

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