By Janet Perez | Queen Creek Independent
Queen Creek Mayor Julia Wheatley is running unopposed for a second term in the July 21 primary.
The Queen Creek Independent sent Wheatley a questionnaire where she looked at the challenges and opportunities facing the town now and in the future.
Julia Wheatley
Age: 46
Employment: Mayor, mortgage officer
Community involvement: Mayor 2022-current; town council member 2010-2022; Greater Phoenix Economic Council mayors and supervisors council, current; League of Arizona Cities and Towns executive committee, current; Maricopa Association of Governments regional council (treasurer), current; Maricopa Association of Governments executive committee, current; Maricopa Association of Governments transportation policy committee, current and chair 2024-2025; Mesa Gateway Airport Authority board of directors, current, and chair 2024-2025; Economic Development Commission; Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee; Transportation Advisory Committee; and Mayor’s Teen Advisory Committee
What are the biggest challenges facing the town? The biggest challenge that faces Queen Creek is solving regional transportation issues. We are fortunate to have another voice in the southeast Valley with the newly incorporated San Tan Valley mayor and council to help advocate for transportation solutions and funding for our region. In the past, Queen Creek had to advocate for the entire region. Our roads are constructed for Queen Creek’s projected build out not for the current capacity of 225,000 average vehicles per day that are traversing our roads. This is over two-and-a-half times Queen Creek’s current population. We need to ensure that regional transportation solutions are prioritized and solved at a state and county level beyond just the taxpayers of Queen Creek.
