Smith named Maricopa vice mayor

Maricopa City Council unanimously voted Nancy Smith to be the vice mayor for 2020 during its meeting Tuesday. Current Vice Mayor Henry Wade made the nomination as he said he was leaving the position with “a heavy heart” as he returns to the title of councilmember.

Wade said he has loved representing Maricopa outside the city. He is in the middle of his second term, which ends in 2022.

Wade’s predecessor in the position, Marvin Brown, said he would like the council in the future to return to choosing vice mayor for two years instead of one.

“I want to thank Henry for the hard work he’s done this past year,” Councilmember Vincent Manfredi said. “All I get when I’m out talking to people is how great of a job he’s done as vice mayor. With all sincerity I haven’t heard one complaint.”

Smith joined the council in 2014 to fill out a two-year vacancy and was reelected in 2016. She is again up for reelection in 2020.

“I, too, want to acknowledge the hard work that you’ve done and the big shoes to fill,” she told Wade.

Other seats up for election are occupied by Brown and Julie Gusse. Mayor Christian Price is also up for election.

Smith, Gusse and Price have pulled packets to run again. Others who have pulled nomination packets are former councilmember Leon Potter, previous contender Bob Marsh, previous constable candidate Andre LaFond, school counselor Amber Liermann, county supervisor administrative assistant Marlene Pearce, Michael Salgado of Glennwilde and Amber Zenczak of Senita.

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Manfredi is minority owner of InMaricopa.