To help Litchfield Park residents make informed choices when they go to the polls Tuesday, Aug. 4, Independent Newsmedia reached out to the three incumbents and one challenger seeking three open seats on the City Council.

In addition to providing personal information, we asked each candidate to answer four questions. Here’s who they are, and what they told us:

RON CLAIR

Incumbent

Age: 53

Education and career: Regional operations manager, All My Sons Moving & Storage

Political experience: Appointed to council in November 2019

Years in Litchfield Park: Seven

Family: Wife, Anne Shassetz; son, Austin Clair

Why should voters trust you to serve?

I feel that I have the best interest of the city in every decision being made. As a businessman, difficult decisions must be made for the greater good. I am not afraid to make the tough choices so our city can grow on the correct path.

What are the top three issues facing the city right now?

1. Immediate is how we as a city protect the health of our residents and business during the COVID crisis. So many unknowns in what we are facing, and I feel that it is much better to act in a manner that protects the majority even if it causes some minor discomfort for a few.

2. Developing the City Center. This has been pushed back some because of the pandemic, but long-term this will help set the future of the city.

3. Protecting our lifestyle with all the industrial development west on Camelback. We have made Camelback and Litchfield roads as non-truck routes and need to make sure we are protecting the citizens of Litchfield from being impacted. These developments are out of our jurisdiction, but we still must do everything possible to not have our citizens be affected.

If the COVID-19 pandemic has a long-range impact, how do you propose keeping the budget balanced?

We are very fortunate that the city has budgeted well and is in a good position. We have pushed off non-essential projects so that we are not extended during this crisis.

What is Litchfield Park’s single biggest need?

Smart growth making sure that the existing citizens are not negatively impacted by non-commercial development. We need to make sure all residential growth is revenue neutral to protect existing homeowners.

ANN DONAHUE

Incumbent

Age: 61

Education and career: Arizona State and Central Michigan University, BS in public health. Public information officer, Litchfield Elementary School District; marketing and sales manager, Lifescan Inc., a division of Johnson and Johnson; health educator, American Diabetes Association, AZ affiliate

Political experience: Four years on Litchfield City Council

Years in Litchfield Park: 27

Family: Husband, John; children, Molly, Jack and Clare

Why should voters trust you to serve?

I have served on the city council for the last four years actively participating in a number of committees. I’m currently involved with the Litchfield Park Historical Society in helping raise money for the new Heritage Center. I also serve on the marketing committee for the new City Center project. My children were educated in the Litchfield Elementary School District and Agua Fria High School District, and I act as a liaison between the school districts and our city.

I moved to Litchfield Park in 1993 and spent many years volunteering with local groups. In addition to the school district, I volunteered on projects with St. Thomas Aquinas church, Southwest Valley YMCA board, the Wigwam, Friends of the Rec. and numerous fundraising projects. I started the Millennium High School Safe Night Out and currently serve on the board with the Southwest Lending Closet.

I have met a lot of citizens in my 27 years and I believe that any one of them would be comfortable communicating with me. I am proud to be considered a community liaison and activist. I get things done by finding the best resources and connecting all the partners. I love serving this community

What are the top three issues facing the city right now?

1. Keeping the health and welfare of our citizens and businesses in check.

2.  Developing the City Center District, which is 29 acres of land in the downtown center.

3. Being fiscally responsible with the city budget, especially in light of the economic challenges that arose with COVID-19 pandemic. The city is partnering with our local businesses to successfully reopen.

If the COVID-19 pandemic has a long-range impact, how do you propose keeping the budget balanced?

We are very lucky that much of our commercial development sells food, which is essential. Because of the need for groceries and having two grocery store chains in our community, our sales tax proceeds in March, April and May 2020, were higher than the previous year. The Wigwam resort took a hit, but we were lucky that they opened up sooner than expected and all employees have now returned.

What is Litchfield Park’s single biggest need?

I believe the single most important need became reprioritized after COVID-19. Litchfield Park is one of the most unique communities in Arizona. As an existing council member, I take seriously making the right decisions to keep our charming template. Because of our size, each decision we make has much more impact than with bigger cities. As a council we need to make sure our decisions do not adversely affect the health and well-being of our citizens and businesses in order to keep the character of Litchfield Park safe and intact. That includes following new health regulations and successfully and responsibly re-opening our commercial businesses. We are very lucky to have a motivated council who works well together and represents our citizens in keeping our quaint village concept alive.

KERRY MURPHY GIANGOBBE

Challenger

Age: 55

Education and career: Bachelor of arts, University of Arizona; MBA, Thunderbird School of Global Management; master of arts, University of Iowa; doctoral studies, Arizona State University; Harvard Law School executive leadership program; Yale Law School Women’s Campaign School summer program; American Medical Association Political Action Committee Campaign School. Owner/surgery practice manager, Veincare of Arizona

Political experience: Treasurer, Republican Party Legislative District 13 precinct committeewoman; Congressional District 8 alternate delegate to 2020 Republican National Convention, Jacksonville, Florida; Sen. Martha McSally wingwoman; American Medical Association Political Action Committee

Years in Litchfield Park: 42-plus

Family: Husband, Dr. Mitchell Giangobbe, MD; children Kaitlin (19), Ryan (13)

Why should voters trust you to serve?

Experience as a trustworthy public servant. I have served on many of the community’s HOA boards and have been privileged to improve neighborhoods while tackling problems overlooked by the city and council

What are the top three issues facing the city right now?

1. Health and safety due to COVID-19

2. Business/economy/budget

3. City Center project short- and long-term

If the COVID-19 pandemic has a long-range impact, how do you propose keeping the budget balanced?

Setting priorities, cutting areas of the budget which could streamline expenses, not creating any new taxes for citizens. Planning better for projects and their timelines

What is Litchfield Park’s single biggest need?

Safety: Lighting, roads and signs to make Litchfield Park a safer place

JOHN ROMACK

Incumbent

Age: 75

Education and career: Business degree 1967; general contractor, both residential and commercial

Political experience: Litchfield councilmember since 2008

Years in Litchfield Park: Since 1976

Family: Wife, Gay Romack; adult daughter, Stacy Romack, resident of Litchfield Park

Why should voters trust you to serve?

I have been on the council for the past 12 years and I work well with the mayor and other council members.

What are the top three issues facing the city right now?

1. We are in the process of building a new downtown. I am quite involved in that, sitting on the Select City Manager’s Committee, the Mayor’s Advisory Committee, the City Engineer’s Advisory Committee, as well as being on the Design Review Committee.

2. Currently, development along Camelback Road could be a problem. We need to stay active and involved.

3. Working with JDM to assure that the new downtown works with their long-term plan for the hotel as well as their 15 acres at Litchfield Road and Wigwam Boulevard.

If the COVID-19 pandemic has a long-range impact, how do you propose keeping the budget balanced?

Fiscally, we have been quite responsible and have managed to keep a close eye on the spending during this pandemic. Even though the hotel and surrounding restaurants have been closed, we have been blessed to have the new Fry’s grocery to offset some of the impact and by bringing in new business with their tax revenue.

What is Litchfield Park’s single biggest need?

I would say that right now we need strong, committed developers to see the potential and invest in the vision we have for the new downtown area.