Anthony “Tony” Smith submitted his official paperwork this morning, making him a candidate for mayor of the city of Maricopa. Smith, who moved to Maricopa just prior to the city’s incorporation in 2003, has served as a Planning and Zoning commissioner and is currently the chairman of that body. He and his wife, Nancy, were also instrumental in starting the Community of Hope Church in Maricopa. In March, Smith left Motorola and started his own project management consulting business. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Technology from Purdue University and as a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), he has been directly involved with projects involving infrastructure improvements, community planning and site development. Smith discusses several issues facing Maricopa on his Web site, www.smithmaricopa.com. Among those issues are improving transportation and economic development, including the use of consultants and the need for more practical procedures for new business starts. The candidate also addresses the issues of land use in Maricopa and annexation, conflicts of interest among the current council members and the need for council accountability. Running on a three-pronged platform, Smith has been addressing the need to drive economic development by creating a city center as well as by making Maricopa more business and employment friendly. One of the candidate’s suggestions involves adding businesses and non-profit groups like churches to the city’s sign kiosk program (see related article).
Additionally, Smith offers some transportation solutions, as well as ways to improve the quality of life for Maricopans by adding facilities, programs and parks, as well as social and educational opportunities. According to Smith, “It’s been a great campaign so far. I came out early, talked about the issues and have been aggressively meeting as many of our citizens as possible.” He added, “It’s time to stop looking backward and go forward.”
Photo by Joyce Hollis
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