By Parker Leavitt
The Arizona Republic
For the first time in four years, a Gilbert mayor is on the League of Arizona Cities and Towns executive committee, giving the town a stronger voice in regional policy making, officials say.
Only days after a successful bid for a second term, Mayor John Lewis last week was elected to the League’s 25-member governing committee, which meets at least four times a year to set policy, priorities and approve a budget.
Lewis and Marana Mayor Ed Honea are joining the committee — Lewis with a two-year term, Honea with a one-year term, according to league officials. Lewis joins a handful of other Southeast Valley mayors on the committee, including Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell, Chandler Mayor Jay Tibshraeny and Mesa Mayor Scott Smith.
Lewis said he and other Gilbert officials have been heavily pursuing new opportunities for regional leadership over the past few years. Lewis also sits on the Maricopa Association of Governments Economic Development Committee and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council board of directors.
