Background
Incumbent - Elected in 2011. Appointed in 2010.
Name of Committee: Committee to ReElect Sheri Lauritano
Nominated Vice Mayor in June 2015
Lists an address south of Interstate 10.
Name of Committee: Committee to ReElect Sheri Lauritano
Nominated Vice Mayor in June 2015
Lists an address south of Interstate 10.
Q&A Interview Responses
1. Tell me about yourself and why you are running for City Council.
My name is Sheri Lauritano, and I am running for reelection to the Goodyear City Council. I have lived in Arizona for over forty years and in Goodyear for the past twenty years. Currently, my husband Stephen and I live in Estrella with and our two children Christopher and Victoria. My parents also live here in Estrella, so three generations of our family call Goodyear home.
Growing up in Arizona I have seen a lot of changes. My family settled in the Moon Valley area of North Phoenix and I attended Lookout Elementary School and Thunderbird High School. I then attended the University of Arizona where I received my BA in Political Science. After that I attended Gonzaga Law School and graduated cum laude with my JD degree. I returned home to Arizona, moved to Goodyear, and began to work as an assistant City Prosecutor for Phoenix where I worked for 13 years and headed the Domestic Violence Unit. In 2007, we opened the law firm of Bain and Lauritano, PLC. Although we opened in the height of the Great Recession, we have operated successfully every year since opening.
When I moved to Goodyear I became involved in the community. First, on the CAG (Community Advisory Group) for the ADEQ, then on the City Center Committee, and finally serving several years on the Goodyear Planning and Zoning Commission before being appointed to the Goodyear City Counsel. I was then elected for a full term. I am now running for reelection to the City Council as I believe I have an important voice as a twenty year resident, small business owner, mother of two school age children, and having three generations of our family living in Goodyear.
Additionally, I am the only council member from Estrella. I think it is important to have this perspective. Furthermore, having three generations of my family living in Goodyear keeps me very attune to the needs of various age groups.
On the council we have worked very hard to ensure that we have a balanced budget and kept the high quality of our city and its services for our residents. I am also proud of the new businesses that are being brought into Goodyear including the unique Harkins Theater, Oreganos, Saddle Mountain Brewing Company, and other establishments. We have continued to grow and expand our base even throughout the downturn.
2. What experience do you have qualifying you as a good representative for our All-America City? How many hours a week can you devote to serving on City Council? (Time includes meetings, attending events, and reviewing reading materials.)
Having Goodyear designated as an All-American City is not only a prestigious award, but it reflects a set of ideals and standards that our city should strive to continue as we grow. Even before I was a member of the City Council, I have been involved in the Goodyear community. Over a decade ago I sat on the ADEQ Community Advisory Group dealing with the plumes for PGA North and PGA South. I served on the City Center Committee, which was a community group that helped develop the plans for the future Goodyear City Center. I was then selected to the Goodyear Planning and Zoning Commission where I severed for several years before being appointed to the Goodyear City Council in 2010. I then ran for a full term and am currently seeking reelection for my second term.
As a member of City Council I have served on various committees and boards including the Goodyear Audit Committee, Arizona in Action, the Chair of the National League of Cities International Council and member of the National League of Cities Public Safety Steering Committee. I was selected as a Flinn Brown Leadership Fellow and to the Dodie Londen Excellence in Public Service Class of 2014. I am also a small business owner, as a partner in our law firm, and a wife and mother who volunteers as a Girl Scout Leader. I believe that this record of service to my community has helped me to gain the necessary experience to be reelected to the Goodyear City Council.
As with any position you take on, you have to be prepared to devote whatever time is necessary to accomplish the task in a high quality and professional manner. As a current council member I spend several hours a week not only attending meetings and events, but also having follow up meetings with businesses, the City Manager and staff on current issues. I also spend several hours reviewing the written materials prior to the meetings and making notes and finding out answers prior to the meetings. This can include anything from contacting staff as to a question to a review of the Planning and Zoning minutes on a new project.
3. What is one thing you would like to change or improve at Goodyear’s City Hall?
In the last ten years Goodyear has undergone very expansive growth. In the past several years Goodyear has worked to streamline its processes and procedures to be more business and customer friendly. I would like to see the city continue to review and revamp these procedures. It is important for Goodyear to stay ahead of the curve and to be innovative. The use of technology can assist to not only stream line the process, but also enhance customer services as well as save our citizens money. It is important to remember that a citizen may judge the performance of the entire city on their interaction with a single department or service. Therefore, we must continue to strive to be helpful, knowledgeable and assist the customer to have a positive interaction with the City of Goodyear.
4. What are your thoughts on the City of Goodyear’s water needs? Under what circumstances would you approve a water rate hike?
As a desert community water is essential to Goodyear as we need to ensure a 100 year water supply. Goodyear has taken steps to ensure the future water supply in Goodyear. We are utilizing reclaimed water, recharging our groundwater water, and purchasing our CAP water supply. We need to continue to look for alternatives to groundwater.
However, the city cannot do this alone. We need our residents to assist with conservation of this precious resource. We can all start by checking for leaks and running faucets, check our winter watering schedule, take advantage of the city water checkups, and utilize low water landscapes. The City of Goodyear also can continue to look for ways to use reclaimed water and xeroscapes as well in public right ways.
The City of Goodyear controls the water south of I-10 as the Liberty Water Company controls the water North of I-10. The water rates should be sufficient to cover the costs of the water and maintain the necessary equipment for the service. The water rates should never be raised for use in the general fund, but only to ensure that the water is supplied to the customer.
5. It’s recently been reported that the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority may be unable to repay the City of Goodyear $57.5million in its investment for the ballpark. What are your thoughts on that and what suggestions will you make for creating new revenue at the ballpark?
The city has been in close contact with the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority as to this issue. Although the payment may be delayed, it does not look like that it will not be made. However, the city has planned for every possible scenario. During the last few budget cycles, the city has budgeted, as one time money, an allotment that would go toward the payment in the event that the ASTA was unable to make the payment in the future. This would prevent any negative effect on services to our citizens.
Over the past several years the city has made a concerted effort to increase the number of events at the ballpark. Unlike other cities, Goodyear has full control over the booking of the ballpark outside of Spring Training. Goodyear recently held the Home Plate for the Holidays and also hosts a fall festival, GAIN events, and the Fourth of July events at the ball park that are free to the public. Currently, the stadium hosts over 80 events with over 700 use days a year. These include fall and winter ball, instructional leagues, movies, graduations and fun runs just to name a few.
I would like to see the ballpark staff continue to pursue other events including musical performances and perhaps a drive in move in the parking lot. I believe that we need to continue to be innovative to be competitive when we are marketing our ballpark.
6. Do you support an allowance for police and fire uniforms? Do you feel Goodyear under or over supports its police and fire employees?
Yes, I strongly believe that we must support our first responders as this is one of the primary responsibilities of the city. As a former prosecutor, I have worked with public safety for my entire career. These men and women are dedicated to the safety of our community and deserve the necessary resources and tools to allow them to do their job. For example, police vests have saved many lives and need to be replaced periodically as the material may break down after being worn and exposed to the extreme conditions in Arizona.
I feel that the City of Goodyear has a good relationship with our police and fire employees. In tough budget times all parties worked together to find common ground and solutions. The city and the police and fire employees have open lines of communication which are important and should be maintained for the well being of our city and its public safety.
7. The City of Goodyear has ample room for more business/industry at convenient locations along the Interstate. If you had to choose, would you focus more on acquiring new business or providing more support for existing businesses? Why?
I think you need to focus on both avenues to grow the economic base of your community. You need to focus on business retention and growth of your existing businesses. Not only do you want to ensure that current business remain in our city, but one should keep in mind that growth in an established business can often bring in significant economic investment as they expand.
Additionally, we need to attract new businesses to our area from outside of Goodyear, the valley and the state. Goodyear has aggressively marketed itself to these business enterprises. Goodyear has a wide range of transportation corridors; we have great access to the I-10, 303, rail lines as well as an airport. Such assets poise our city for growth. Our city also has worked with the Arizona Commerce Authority as well as the Greater Phoenix Economic Council to bring prospective employers to Goodyear and introduce our city to a larger national audience.
Goodyear also continues to aggressively market the free trade zones as well as the military reuse areas to potential businesses. Goodyear must use a variety of tools to continue to grow our businesses as well as attract new ones to our city.
8. Surprise has Uptown Alley. Avondale has the American Sports Centers. Do you feel Goodyear is in need of more family friendly entertainment business? If so, how would you help make that happen?
Having three generations of my family living in Goodyear I can see the need for various types of entertainment for different age levels. The city has had conversations with several of these family entertainment areas and many of them are regional with a presence already in the western part of Maricopa County.
The Harkins Theater should be open in 2016 with a unique concept including the reclining seats, a Cinema Capri Screen and craft beer and wine available at the concessions stand. As we show entertainment establishments that we support our businesses here in Goodyear many other will begin to come.
What the city can do to encourage more entertainment is to continue to recruit a variety of entertainment options, make the process of locating in our City easy and hassle free, promote density in many of the areas that recruit businesses that are compatible with entertainment uses.
9. If you had a magic wand, what would you like to see Goodyear accomplish in the next five years?
One of the top priorities I would like to see Goodyear accomplish is to attract an university to our central area. Higher education is beneficial in numerous ways. First, it is an economic driver for the economy and it also leads to innovation in the private sector. Secondly, higher education draws a wide range of people to live and work in our community. Small unique, shops, cafes and restaurants are attracted to areas near colleges and universities. Year after year some of the best places to retire are found near university towns as they have a wide range of artistic and entertainment options. Finally, an university in our city would give our citizens a higher education opportunity near to their home.
I believe that growing a college/university would also bring other businesses to our city who are complementary to this area. Additionally, major corporations are looking for places with a strong educational base when they look for cities to expand into or relocate.
10. How do you envision Goodyear 20 years from now?
Although 20 years sounds like a long time frame, in reality it is a blink of the eye. I would like to see Goodyear fully come into its own in 20 years. I see our mall being successful with various retail filing out the parcel. I also envision the university/education parcel being completed by BASIS and an university. Around this area would be a park, several fun shops, and unique stores. I also see the area around the ballpark to be filled in with retail and restaurants. Finally, I envision the area around the airport coming into its own as an airpark with high quality business. Goodyear has a vast amount of potential that it will be realized in the future because of our citizens who work together to make Goodyear a great city.
My name is Sheri Lauritano, and I am running for reelection to the Goodyear City Council. I have lived in Arizona for over forty years and in Goodyear for the past twenty years. Currently, my husband Stephen and I live in Estrella with and our two children Christopher and Victoria. My parents also live here in Estrella, so three generations of our family call Goodyear home.
Growing up in Arizona I have seen a lot of changes. My family settled in the Moon Valley area of North Phoenix and I attended Lookout Elementary School and Thunderbird High School. I then attended the University of Arizona where I received my BA in Political Science. After that I attended Gonzaga Law School and graduated cum laude with my JD degree. I returned home to Arizona, moved to Goodyear, and began to work as an assistant City Prosecutor for Phoenix where I worked for 13 years and headed the Domestic Violence Unit. In 2007, we opened the law firm of Bain and Lauritano, PLC. Although we opened in the height of the Great Recession, we have operated successfully every year since opening.
When I moved to Goodyear I became involved in the community. First, on the CAG (Community Advisory Group) for the ADEQ, then on the City Center Committee, and finally serving several years on the Goodyear Planning and Zoning Commission before being appointed to the Goodyear City Counsel. I was then elected for a full term. I am now running for reelection to the City Council as I believe I have an important voice as a twenty year resident, small business owner, mother of two school age children, and having three generations of our family living in Goodyear.
Additionally, I am the only council member from Estrella. I think it is important to have this perspective. Furthermore, having three generations of my family living in Goodyear keeps me very attune to the needs of various age groups.
On the council we have worked very hard to ensure that we have a balanced budget and kept the high quality of our city and its services for our residents. I am also proud of the new businesses that are being brought into Goodyear including the unique Harkins Theater, Oreganos, Saddle Mountain Brewing Company, and other establishments. We have continued to grow and expand our base even throughout the downturn.
2. What experience do you have qualifying you as a good representative for our All-America City? How many hours a week can you devote to serving on City Council? (Time includes meetings, attending events, and reviewing reading materials.)
Having Goodyear designated as an All-American City is not only a prestigious award, but it reflects a set of ideals and standards that our city should strive to continue as we grow. Even before I was a member of the City Council, I have been involved in the Goodyear community. Over a decade ago I sat on the ADEQ Community Advisory Group dealing with the plumes for PGA North and PGA South. I served on the City Center Committee, which was a community group that helped develop the plans for the future Goodyear City Center. I was then selected to the Goodyear Planning and Zoning Commission where I severed for several years before being appointed to the Goodyear City Council in 2010. I then ran for a full term and am currently seeking reelection for my second term.
As a member of City Council I have served on various committees and boards including the Goodyear Audit Committee, Arizona in Action, the Chair of the National League of Cities International Council and member of the National League of Cities Public Safety Steering Committee. I was selected as a Flinn Brown Leadership Fellow and to the Dodie Londen Excellence in Public Service Class of 2014. I am also a small business owner, as a partner in our law firm, and a wife and mother who volunteers as a Girl Scout Leader. I believe that this record of service to my community has helped me to gain the necessary experience to be reelected to the Goodyear City Council.
As with any position you take on, you have to be prepared to devote whatever time is necessary to accomplish the task in a high quality and professional manner. As a current council member I spend several hours a week not only attending meetings and events, but also having follow up meetings with businesses, the City Manager and staff on current issues. I also spend several hours reviewing the written materials prior to the meetings and making notes and finding out answers prior to the meetings. This can include anything from contacting staff as to a question to a review of the Planning and Zoning minutes on a new project.
3. What is one thing you would like to change or improve at Goodyear’s City Hall?
In the last ten years Goodyear has undergone very expansive growth. In the past several years Goodyear has worked to streamline its processes and procedures to be more business and customer friendly. I would like to see the city continue to review and revamp these procedures. It is important for Goodyear to stay ahead of the curve and to be innovative. The use of technology can assist to not only stream line the process, but also enhance customer services as well as save our citizens money. It is important to remember that a citizen may judge the performance of the entire city on their interaction with a single department or service. Therefore, we must continue to strive to be helpful, knowledgeable and assist the customer to have a positive interaction with the City of Goodyear.
4. What are your thoughts on the City of Goodyear’s water needs? Under what circumstances would you approve a water rate hike?
As a desert community water is essential to Goodyear as we need to ensure a 100 year water supply. Goodyear has taken steps to ensure the future water supply in Goodyear. We are utilizing reclaimed water, recharging our groundwater water, and purchasing our CAP water supply. We need to continue to look for alternatives to groundwater.
However, the city cannot do this alone. We need our residents to assist with conservation of this precious resource. We can all start by checking for leaks and running faucets, check our winter watering schedule, take advantage of the city water checkups, and utilize low water landscapes. The City of Goodyear also can continue to look for ways to use reclaimed water and xeroscapes as well in public right ways.
The City of Goodyear controls the water south of I-10 as the Liberty Water Company controls the water North of I-10. The water rates should be sufficient to cover the costs of the water and maintain the necessary equipment for the service. The water rates should never be raised for use in the general fund, but only to ensure that the water is supplied to the customer.
5. It’s recently been reported that the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority may be unable to repay the City of Goodyear $57.5million in its investment for the ballpark. What are your thoughts on that and what suggestions will you make for creating new revenue at the ballpark?
The city has been in close contact with the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority as to this issue. Although the payment may be delayed, it does not look like that it will not be made. However, the city has planned for every possible scenario. During the last few budget cycles, the city has budgeted, as one time money, an allotment that would go toward the payment in the event that the ASTA was unable to make the payment in the future. This would prevent any negative effect on services to our citizens.
Over the past several years the city has made a concerted effort to increase the number of events at the ballpark. Unlike other cities, Goodyear has full control over the booking of the ballpark outside of Spring Training. Goodyear recently held the Home Plate for the Holidays and also hosts a fall festival, GAIN events, and the Fourth of July events at the ball park that are free to the public. Currently, the stadium hosts over 80 events with over 700 use days a year. These include fall and winter ball, instructional leagues, movies, graduations and fun runs just to name a few.
I would like to see the ballpark staff continue to pursue other events including musical performances and perhaps a drive in move in the parking lot. I believe that we need to continue to be innovative to be competitive when we are marketing our ballpark.
6. Do you support an allowance for police and fire uniforms? Do you feel Goodyear under or over supports its police and fire employees?
Yes, I strongly believe that we must support our first responders as this is one of the primary responsibilities of the city. As a former prosecutor, I have worked with public safety for my entire career. These men and women are dedicated to the safety of our community and deserve the necessary resources and tools to allow them to do their job. For example, police vests have saved many lives and need to be replaced periodically as the material may break down after being worn and exposed to the extreme conditions in Arizona.
I feel that the City of Goodyear has a good relationship with our police and fire employees. In tough budget times all parties worked together to find common ground and solutions. The city and the police and fire employees have open lines of communication which are important and should be maintained for the well being of our city and its public safety.
7. The City of Goodyear has ample room for more business/industry at convenient locations along the Interstate. If you had to choose, would you focus more on acquiring new business or providing more support for existing businesses? Why?
I think you need to focus on both avenues to grow the economic base of your community. You need to focus on business retention and growth of your existing businesses. Not only do you want to ensure that current business remain in our city, but one should keep in mind that growth in an established business can often bring in significant economic investment as they expand.
Additionally, we need to attract new businesses to our area from outside of Goodyear, the valley and the state. Goodyear has aggressively marketed itself to these business enterprises. Goodyear has a wide range of transportation corridors; we have great access to the I-10, 303, rail lines as well as an airport. Such assets poise our city for growth. Our city also has worked with the Arizona Commerce Authority as well as the Greater Phoenix Economic Council to bring prospective employers to Goodyear and introduce our city to a larger national audience.
Goodyear also continues to aggressively market the free trade zones as well as the military reuse areas to potential businesses. Goodyear must use a variety of tools to continue to grow our businesses as well as attract new ones to our city.
8. Surprise has Uptown Alley. Avondale has the American Sports Centers. Do you feel Goodyear is in need of more family friendly entertainment business? If so, how would you help make that happen?
Having three generations of my family living in Goodyear I can see the need for various types of entertainment for different age levels. The city has had conversations with several of these family entertainment areas and many of them are regional with a presence already in the western part of Maricopa County.
The Harkins Theater should be open in 2016 with a unique concept including the reclining seats, a Cinema Capri Screen and craft beer and wine available at the concessions stand. As we show entertainment establishments that we support our businesses here in Goodyear many other will begin to come.
What the city can do to encourage more entertainment is to continue to recruit a variety of entertainment options, make the process of locating in our City easy and hassle free, promote density in many of the areas that recruit businesses that are compatible with entertainment uses.
9. If you had a magic wand, what would you like to see Goodyear accomplish in the next five years?
One of the top priorities I would like to see Goodyear accomplish is to attract an university to our central area. Higher education is beneficial in numerous ways. First, it is an economic driver for the economy and it also leads to innovation in the private sector. Secondly, higher education draws a wide range of people to live and work in our community. Small unique, shops, cafes and restaurants are attracted to areas near colleges and universities. Year after year some of the best places to retire are found near university towns as they have a wide range of artistic and entertainment options. Finally, an university in our city would give our citizens a higher education opportunity near to their home.
I believe that growing a college/university would also bring other businesses to our city who are complementary to this area. Additionally, major corporations are looking for places with a strong educational base when they look for cities to expand into or relocate.
10. How do you envision Goodyear 20 years from now?
Although 20 years sounds like a long time frame, in reality it is a blink of the eye. I would like to see Goodyear fully come into its own in 20 years. I see our mall being successful with various retail filing out the parcel. I also envision the university/education parcel being completed by BASIS and an university. Around this area would be a park, several fun shops, and unique stores. I also see the area around the ballpark to be filled in with retail and restaurants. Finally, I envision the area around the airport coming into its own as an airpark with high quality business. Goodyear has a vast amount of potential that it will be realized in the future because of our citizens who work together to make Goodyear a great city.
Sheri Lauritano's Interview Q&A document can be viewed here.
| final_goodyear_interview.doc |
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