By Mark Moran | East Valley Tribune
For the first time in a dozen years, the Queen Creek Town Council has a new mayor and two new members.
Julia Wheatley was sworn in Jan. 18 as mayor and takes the gavel from Vice Mayer Jeff Brown, who had the job temporarily following the death last June of Mayor Gail Barney.
“When I started this 12 years ago, my kids were little,” Wheatley said. “Now my youngest is 6’6,’” she said as she reflected on the growth she has seen during her tenure on the council.
“Our little secret of the Town of Queen Creek has definitely gotten out,” she said.
Wheatley and Brown are joined by incumbents Dawn Oliphant, Leah Martineau, Robin Benning and two newly sworn members, Bryan McClure and Travis Padilla.
“I really am humbled by this,” McClure said. “It’s going to be an honor to serve my hometown.”
Padilla shared the sentiment.
“Wow. It’s hard not be emotional when I look out into the crowd and see those who supported me through this campaign,” said Padilla, who asked Congressman Andy Biggs to administer the oath of office to him.
