By Dustin Gardiner | The Republic
Stark focused on combating homelessness, closing blighted alleys and filling vacant shopping centers
More than a month after winning the special City Council election in north Phoenix, Councilwoman Debra Stark is adjusting to City Hall’s political divisions and taking on her district’s concerns, from homelessness to vacant retail centers.
Stark was sworn in after beating attorney Chris DeRose in the contentious March 14 runoff election for council in District 3. The district is home to about 180,000 residents and encompasses the Sunnyslope and Moon Valley neighborhoods, along with parts of northeast Phoenix.
She previously was appointed to the council on an interim basis last summer to fill the seat vacated by now-Maricopa County Supervisor Bill Gates.