By Jen Lebron Kuhney | The Arizona Republic
Roy Villanueva, the Surprise City Councilman and former mayor who served the city for nearly four decades, died Monday. He was 71.
Villanueva, the only Hispanic member on the seven-person council, held office almost continuously from 1978 when first elected to the council. His only break was from 2003 to 2007 when he was defeated by Danny Arismendez.
Villanueva was appointed as the city’s mayor from 1989 to 1995 and served as vice mayor in 2008.