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Get to know the new Litchfield Park council members

Posted 3/18/19

By Philip Haldiman

Independent Newsmedia

In January, President and CEO of Stotz Equipment Tom Rosztoczy and retired school teacher Lisa Brainard-Watson were  sworn in as new members of the …

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Get to know the new Litchfield Park council members

Posted

By Philip Haldiman

Independent Newsmedia

In January, President and CEO of Stotz Equipment Tom Rosztoczy and retired school teacher Lisa Brainard-Watson were  sworn in as new members of the Litchfield Park City Council.

They will serve 4-year terms.

Over the coming years they will make decisions on land use cases, including the request by the owner  of the Wigwam resort to rezone a high profile mixed-use project at the northwest corner of Litchfield Road and Wigwam Boulevard, as well as the 30-acre City Center project, across the street.

Mr. Rosztoczy and Ms. Brainard-Watson have roots in the Southwest Valley — both are graduates of Litchfield Elementary and Agua Fria High schools.

They will participate in next council meeting, 7 p.m., March 20.

Get to know them better here.

Lisa Brainard Watson

Lisa Brainard Watson

Age: 57

Education: Bachelor of Science in Business with a major in marketing from Arizona State University and a Master of Arts in Education from Chapman University.

Political experience: Active in student government throughout school.

Job: After graduating from ASU, worked for seven years in the utility industry, then pursued a career in education. Having taught at the middle and high school levels, retired in May of 2018 after 23 years of teaching in the Litchfield Elementary and  Agua Fria school districts.

Family: My husband and I were high school sweethearts and have been married for eight years.  I have two grown children, a son and  a daughter, and three grandchildren.

Question: What are your goals now that you have been elected?

Answer: First and foremost, I want to represent the citizens of Litchfield Park to the very best of my ability. This means listening, learning and making decisions to positively impact the sustainability of Litchfield Park and the lifestyle we enjoy. My personal ethics are important and will guide me in the process. Secondly, I am disheartened by the deeply partisan and divisive nature of the political environment today. I want to serve in a manner that shows we can disagree and yet still work together to benefit our community. Teaching our children how to respect each other and yet disagree is critical to the continued survival of the democratic process. Leading by example, I want others to see that it is possible to disagree with others without having to destroy them on a personal level.

Q: What do you like most about Litchfield Park?

A: My family moved to Litchfield Park when I was in sixth grade, and I grew up enjoying the safe, secure, and active lifestyle that Litchfield Park offered its citizens. We rode bikes and played in the parks safely, participated in sports, and attended school all within walking and biking distance! When my children were born, like many of my classmates, I moved back to Litchfield so that my family would enjoy these benefits as well. Though the world has changed, much has stayed the same. Kids walk and ride to school safely. Families enjoy the active lifestyle and multitude of activities offered. And, the deep sense of community remains. People care about their neighbors and beautiful neighborhood. This is what I love the most about Litchfield!

Q: What is the city’s greatest need right now and how will you try to help fill it?

A: The two greatest needs facing the city right now are sustainability and continuing to offer the lifestyle that has drawn people to our city. These two are linked together inextricably.  We must find ways to guarantee the future sustainability of  Litchfield Park while at the same time not only maintaining the lifestyle, but finding ways to improve the lifestyle offered, and the aesthetics of the community. This is critical in helping us remain attractive as the West Valley continues to grow. These are connected and dependent upon each other. I plan on helping fill this need by serving the community ethically, honestly, and with dedication to the people of Litchfield Park.

Q: Name two other goals.

A: First,  listening more than I speak to help me learn more about the challenges facing us and the processes of governance, and secondly, achieving balance.

Tom Rosztoczy

Tom Rosztoczy

Age:53

Education: BS Stanford University, BS Industrial Engineering

Political experience: Four years on Litchfield Elementary School Board, eight years on the Agua Fria Union High School District Governing Board

Job: President/CEO Stotz Equipment, a family owned John Deere dealership with 25 stores in eight western states.

Family: Wife Jill, 31 years married, twin boys, 28, daughters 24 and 22

Question: What are your goals now that you have been elected?

Answer: Help the city make the best use of the remaining land to be developed.

Q: What do you like most about Litchfield Park?

A: It was a great place to grow up and a great place to raise our kids.

Q: What is the city’s greatest need right now and how will you try to help fill it?

A: We need to do a good job of planning and executing on the development of our last 45 acres

Q: Name two other goals.

A: Maintain sound fiscal practices, develop a strong working relationship with JDM Partners (Wigwam owner).

 

If you go

What: Litchfield Park City Council meeting

Where: Community room at the Litchfield Park branch library, 101 W. Wigwam Blvd.

When:  7 p.m., March 20

More info: litchfield-park.org