In this edition of Get to Know the Candidates, Peoria Independent asks the city council candidates about the three most important issues they believe Peoria is facing.
Incumbent Vickie Hunt and newcomer Jennifer Crawford are facing off to represent the Acacia District.
The Peoria Independent will be hosting candidate forums to learn more about where candidates stand on specific issues that affect residents.
But first, residents can gain some insight as to who the candidates are through a questionnaire the Independent sent out to those in competitive races.
Learn more about the council candidates' top issues and get to better know your possible future representatives.
Vicki Hunt
What do you believe are the three most important issues facing the city of Peoria?
I am the only candidate with experience in understanding the needs of our unique community and can balance our local priorities while ensuring that the city as a whole remains safe and economically successful. I have a proven track record of accomplishments on the key issues facing Peoria:
Supporting Public Safety – During my time on council, we enhanced the successful community paramedicine program, added Rescue 194 bringing a total of five ambulances to Peoria, and invested in body cameras for all police officers. We also secured new vehicles and equipment for public safety, code enforcement and parks personnel. In addition, we added School Resource Officers, launched a dedicated homeless outreach effort, and added a misdemeanor repeat offender program. I am committed to ensuring that public safety have the resources they need to keep our community safe and am proud to be endorsed by the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona. As soon as we have the manpower in our police department, I will work to re-establish our neighborhood policing.
Improving Acacia’s Quality of Life — Revitalizing Neighborhoods: Many of our neighborhoods need investment, a fresh coat of paint and other upgrades. During my time on council, we have worked to open Valleywise Comprehensive Health Center to bring expanded healthcare to our community and spur other investment. I also secured the repainting 36,000 linear feet of walls covered by graffiti, secured 37 miles of neighborhood street improvements, and helped place Peoria High School’s Old Main and Peoria Jailhouse on the National Register of Historic Places.
We have a Neighborhood Pride program that goes into selected neighborhoods and works to refurbish an entire block – paint, plant, etc. This occurs twice a year. Two years ago we hired a Neighborhood Specialist who oversees a group committed to bettering neighborhoods. Through them we offer neighborhood block parties as well as speaking at HOA meetings. They also have a van that is wrapped with the city neighborhood logo and contains all kinds of information regarding neighborhoods. We have a “tool lending” program whereby folks who cannot afford to purchase yard tools may rent them from the city for a brief period of time. I am committed to working with code enforcement and local groups to beautify our neighborhoods.
Building a viable Old Town: Old Town continues to be our greatest asset and opportunity. This is where the Peoria story began in 1886 and should be where it continues to welcome merchants and families today. Developments like Valleywise, major renovations to the Peoria Main Library, and the recent announcements of in-fill development speak to the current success and the bright future for this area. I have led efforts to demolish unsightly buildings in Old Town. I have worked with neighbors, business owners, and community members to help facilitate their vision of what this community can be. We hold Second Saturday events in Old Town as well as cultural and music festivals. We are well on our way to becoming a go-to place for unique dining. It is my passion to establish Old Town as a “center” for our city and give merchants a chance to thrive as they create a walkable area where neighbors can shop, visit and play.
Please describe the approach you would take to solve each of these issues if elected.
I firmly believe in a collaborative approach to solve each of these issues and work is underway to address all three mentioned above and the many more challenges facing our city. The difference is that we have a council that works together and supports each other which is why our city consistently wins awards when it comes to quality of life and places to live and raise a family.
Jennifer Crawford
What do you believe are the three most important issues facing the city of Peoria?:
Prioritizing public safety, responsible economic development and increased citizen engagement.
Please describe the approach you would take to solve each of these issues if elected.
While we have many responsibilities to our constituents, public safety should be the number one priority of our local government. We need to ensure our public safety departments are properly funded and staffed so we can provide for the safety of our neighborhoods and streets.
Responsible economic development means that we focus on continuity of services throughout our growing city as well as smart revitalization that does not disproportionately rely on residential development. Peoria needs to be more than a bedroom community. We need to exercise a diversification strategy with a balance of commerce and jobs to population ratio.
Many residents I have spoken with don’t know who their current city councilmember is representing them. I plan to increase visibility in the community as well as solicit community engagement and feedback. I will increase engagement by holding quarterly community meetings, monthly meet-and-greets with local businesses and have weekly office hours available to the residents in Peoria’s Acacia district.
Meet Philip Haldiman is an award-winning journalist who most recently took first place for investigative reporting in 2023 from Arizona Newspapers Association. He joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2015, covering Sun City West his first year. Since 2016, he has covered the city of Peoria. Prior to coming to INI, he was a reporter with The Arizona Republic for seven years, covering numerous cities throughout the Valley. Before that, he was a freelance writer.
Community: Haldiman spearheads the Peoria Independent Hometown Heroes Awards program, honoring local individuals and businesses that give back to the community. He has hosted local candidate forums over the years and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists. Haldiman also served as a member of the Journalism Program Community Advisory Board at Glendale Community College. Outside journalism, Haldiman served as a member of the city of Peoria Complete Count Committee for the Census, 2019-2020. Lastly, he has served as a member of his HOA governing board since 2021.
Education: Arizona State University with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications and a BA in Theater.
Random Fact: Haldiman is a fourth-generation Arizonan as well as wrote and produced an autobiographical comic book about his time spent in Hollywood and his life as a cult film star.
Hobbies: He enjoys hiking Arizona’s mountainous landscapes and is currently working on a play for the stage.
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