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The Surprise City Council confirmed four residents to various boards and commissions in the city.
Kevin Sartor will fill in the open spot on the Planning and Zoning Commission, left vacant when Gisele Norberg resigned in July.
Candice Rachal was approved to serve the remainder of the term on the Board of Trustees through June 30, 2022.
The city council also appointed Thomas Russell and Mitchell Friedlander to serve the remainder of terms for the Personnel Appeal Board. Mr. Russell’s term runs through June 20, 2023, while Mr. Friedlander’s term runs through June 30, 2024.
On the P&Z commission, Mr. Sartor will serve the remainder of Ms. Norberg’s term through June 30, 2023.
He is a company commander for the Arizona National Guard and has been a Surprise resident for nine years. He earned a bachelor’s degree in homeland security and emergency management and a master's in public administration.
“I have always had a strong desire to serve our nation, state and community,” Mr. Sartor wrote on his application for the position.
He went on to write: “I feel confident that with my experience as an engineer officer in the Arizona National Guard and knowledge gained from my graduate degree, I have a lot to offer the commission and assist in any way possible to continue to make Surprise an amazing community.”
Ms. Rachal, a two-year resident of Surprise, is a property claims adjuster for USAA.
She has a bachelor's degree from the University of St. Thomas and a master's in business administration from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.
“I wish to donate my time, and also I want to gain a deeper understanding of city operations,” Ms. Rachal wrote on her application.
Mr. Russell has lived in Surprise for seven years and is now retired. He is the former director of operations for Novitex Solutions and is a committee chairman in Arizona Traditions.
On his application, Mr. Russell said he wanted to serve on the board “to support our city and assist in our growth and direction.”
Mr. Russell has an associate's degree.
Mr. Friedlander is retired and has lived in Surprise for three years, where he has been politically active in Sun City Grand and Sun City West. He also served on the Surprise Citizen Patrol for a short time.
He has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Canyon College.
“I have worked as a representative for the worker and as a corporate manager,” Mr. Friedlander wrote on his application. “I have experience in matters involving sexual harassment, acts of dishonesty, excessive tardiness and other work-related issues.”
Former NAU Lumberjack who loves going to concerts (or I did), watching sports (or I did) and hanging out with friends (oh, never mind). I also enjoy backgammon, surfing and men who are not afraid to cry.
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