Bill Robertson has been appointed to a vacant seat on the Maricopa Planning & Zoning Commission by city councilmember Vincent Manfredi.

The appointment was approved by a 7-0 vote of the city council at its May 4 meeting.

Robertson, a Province resident, will fill the spot vacated by the resignation of commissioner Joshua Babb, Manfredi’s previous appointee.

A retiree and native of Parsippany, New Jersey, Robertson served 22 years with the City of Farmington, New Mexico, in the Fire and Emergency Services Department, working his way through the ranks before retiring as operations chief. He served in the Fire and Life Safety Division there, and accumulated broad knowledge in areas that will benefit him as a P&Z commissioner, including building and life safety codes, fire protection systems and fire hydrant requirements.

In retirement, Robertson has been active in community safety programs for the past five years. He has trained more than 450 residents at Province in CPR and use of an AED (Automated External Defibrillator)

He currently is the training lead for volunteers with the Maricopa CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) program and has been active in community safety programs since arriving in Maricopa in April 2015.

Robertson said he and his wife ended up in Maricopa by accident.

“I moved to Maricopa in 2015 after full time RV-ing for a few years with my wife of 45 years, Charlene,” he said. “We landed in Maricopa when it was time to land somewhere and stumbled across Maricopa while searching for 55+ active adult communities.”

Manfredi said Robertson was a logical choice for the opening, given his experience and record of community service.

“I chose Bill to serve on the Planning & Zoning Commission because it is a natural progression for him,” said city councilmember Vince Manfredi, who appointed Robertson to the commission. “From the day he moved to Maricopa, he has been involved in the community. As a CERT volunteer he has shown a dedication to Maricopa that is unparalleled, and I believe he will bring that same level of dedication to his position with P&Z.”

For his part, Robertson said he has seen what poor planning can do to a city and wants to be part of helping Maricopa avoid such issues.

“Community planning and zoning is a critical function in growing cities,” he said. “I have experienced haphazard planning affecting public safety that can occur with rapid growth. My fire protection and safety background may be helpful as a member of the P&Z Commission.”

A frequent attendee and speaker at city council meetings, Robertson said he has always been interested in government.

“I have always enjoyed municipal government affairs and local politics,” he said, before adding a qualifier.

“I have no interest in any elected position.”

Full disclosure: Vincent Manfredi is minority owner of InMaricopa. 

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR