The Peoria City Council unanimously voted Councilman Michael Finn as the vice mayor and Councilman Jon Edwards as the mayor pro tem, Jan. 7.
When terms for vice mayor and mayor pro tem end, the city charter requires the council elect those positions.
The vice mayor serves in the absence or disability of the mayor and mayor pro tem serves in absence or disability of the mayor and vice mayor.
The city council voted to make the vice mayor and mayor pro tem one-year positions.
Both positions serve at the pleasure of council and at terms established by city council.
Previously Councilwoman Bridget Binsbacher served as vice mayor and Councilwoman Vicki Hunt served as mayor pro tem.
Mayor Cathy Carlat said council is thrilled to kick off a productive start of a new decade and is committed to ensuring the operation of the city continues in the most effective, transparent and forward-thinking manner working to build Peoria’s finest future.
“The appointment of these positions is critically important as we take care to protect Peoria residents from any lapse in accountable leadership and proper representation,” Ms. Carlat said in a statement. “I am thankful that Vice Mayor Finn and Mayor Pro Tem Edwards stepped up to represent our community in these important positions; and I am grateful for the tireless work and extra responsibilities that Councilmembers Binsbacher and Hunt took on over the past year.”
Both councilmen are on their second term sitting on the city council.
Mr. Finn’s term on the council expires in 2022. He represents the Palo Verde District.
He was also the former chief financial officer for the Peoria Unified School District and provided more than 20 years of leadership experience to United Parcel Service and US Airways.
Mr. Edwards’ term on the council expires at the end of this year. He represents the Willow District.
Previously, he served as a program/project manager responsible for two fortune 500 companies.
Mr. Edwards has served on the Valley Metro Board of Directors and the WESTMARC Executive Committee.
Philip Haldiman can be reached at 623-876-3697, phaldiman@newszap.com, or on Twitter @philiphaldiman.
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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