Meet your city council elect member: Vice Mayor Laura Kaino

Name: Laura Kaino

What I do: I’m serving as vice mayor, which is essentially a rotation among city council members. This rotation system allows for different council members to take on the role, ensuring diverse leadership perspectives throughout our service. When the mayor is unavailable, I fill in for him at council meetings and public events. This includes running council meetings and representing the mayor at various functions. It requires a good understanding of the city’s issues and priorities, as well as the ability to engage with the community effectively.

How long I’ve been in Goodyear: I’ve been in the West Valley since 1993, moving to Goodyear in 2007.

 What led to my involvement in local government: After retiring from the city of Phoenix in 2014, I started exploring what I wanted to do next. My involvement in Goodyear began with the Citizen Academy and the Arts and Culture Commission. By 2018, I applied for a council appointment and was selected. I officially started my term in July 2018, having completed my one-year term.

How does my background in the public sector influence my serving the City of Goodyear:  My nearly 17-year career with the city of Phoenix has provided me with valuable experience and knowledge about city operations and governance. This background helps me understand the dynamics between the mayor, council, and city management, which is crucial for effective leadership. Transitioning from a city employee to an elected official was significant and my prior experience was instrumental in navigating this shift.

 What I find most rewarding about serving as an elected official: The best thing about city elections is their nonpartisan nature. Unlike state or federal levels where ideological divides can dominate, city council focuses on local issues such as police, fire, roads, infrastructure, and water. This allows us to be pragmatic and solution-oriented, directly addressing the needs of Goodyear without the distraction of political ideologies.

The city council operates with a strong sense of cohesion and respect among its members. Despite having diverse viewpoints, we work collaboratively and focus on the best interests of our residents and businesses.

How I see the development of Goodyear impacting the city’s future: Goodyear’s growth has been remarkable in recent years, making it a destination for many new residents. Our goal is to manage this growth effectively, ensuring that as the city expands, we continue to meet the needs of our residents with new retail and restaurants. We strive to maintain Goodyear’s appeal and support its development through practical and strategic planning.

We are actively working to attract businesses that align with resident desires, such as new retail and restaurants. For instance, we’ve been campaigning to bring Trader Joe’s to Goodyear. While we don’t have a commitment yet, we remain hopeful and will continue to pursue opportunities that meet our residents’ needs.