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Executive Committee Spotlight:
Douglas Coleman, Councilmember, City of Apache Junction
Name, title & city/town:
Douglas Coleman
Councilman
City of Apache Junction
Year elected to office:
Councilman 1991-1995
Mayor 1995-2007
Councilman 2008-Present
Years served on Executive Committee:
1992-2007
President of the League 2006-2007
2011-Present
Where were you born?
Mesa, Arizona
Why did you decide to serve in local government?
For the money and the fame of course. Actually, I have always had a strong desire to give back to my community. At the time, 1991, we had the reputation of being
the wild wild west in my little community where local politics were concerned. I felt that I could help restore civility to the local public discussion and that
was really my catalyst for becoming involved.
What are the biggest challenges facing your city today?
Extremely limited resources with a plethora of needs. Every year we seem to ask our city staff to do more with less. We are working like every community in the
state to make every tax dollar stretch as much as we can.
What opportunities do you see for your community?
There are few places that can match the natural beauty, legend, and lure of the Apache Junction area. We have the Superstition Mountains and the Superstition
Wilderness Area, as well as our proximity to the lakes along the Salt River.
What are you most proud of during your tenure on the Executive Committee?
I was president of the League when we hired Ken Strobeck as the Executive Director of the League and I feel that the transition from one legend, Cathy Connolly,
to another has been very good for the League and its members. I think that the three Executive Directors (Ken, Cathy, and Jack DeBolske) who have served the
League since its beginning have done a wonderful job of balancing the needs of large and small cities. I am proud to have participated as a member of the
Executive Board with all three Directors.
Why is the League important to cities and towns in Arizona?
The League of Arizona Cities and Towns is the only united voice for the municipalities of the State of Arizona. Unfortunately, many citizens, legislators and even
those who participate at the federal level have little idea of the very real consequences that their actions have on local communities and local government. The
League takes on the awesome responsibility of speaking and educating on behalf of every one of its 91 member cities. I really believe we would have difficulty
surviving the challenges placed before us if it wasn't for the League.
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League of Arizona Cities and Towns
1820 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602-258-5786
Fax: 602-253-3874
http://www.azleague.org
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