Vince moved to Maricopa with his family in 2010. He is a “girl dad” and family man. Vince raised his 3 daughters here in Maricopa. He is a supporter of youth sports, having previously volunteered with Babe Ruth League, Maricopa Little League, and Maricopa High School softball. Vince has volunteered at the MHS snack bar for the football booster club, and more.

Vince smiles when he talks about his family, especially his daughters. He grins so big when he talks about their new jobs, driving across the country to college or his oldest’s wedding, and his hope for grandkids. He talks about his family, often, with joy and pride. He is an active father with absolutely nothing more important than his family. 

Vince tells the worst dad jokes. He can seem heavy with his words at times, but he also is light with words like, “Good job! Way to go! How can I help? That was fun! What do you need?” Or sharing a lighthearted joke to make some in the room laugh, often including me because they are so bad, reminding me of my dad’s jokes.

Vince is an advocate for public education and has been devoted to securing adequate funding for Maricopa schools. He understands the challenges of rapid growth and has been a champion for keeping pace. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Social Sciences in education. 

Vince is consistently invited to the table for strategic planning to support local educational needs. Leaders in education here in Maricopa know they can count on Vince to accomplish the task at hand and fight for the needs of our students, especially students who need an alternative path to graduation.

He believes transportation is a driver of economic development, which is why he serves on four regional transportation committees. Vince works hard to improve Maricopa’s roads, including SR 347, SR 238, and Maricopa Casa Grande Hwy.

Serving on the Arizona Rural Transportation Advocacy Council Board of Directors, the Pinal Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors, the Arizona League of Cities and Towns Transportation, Infrastructure & Public Works Committee, and the Maricopa Association of Governments Transportation Policy Committee is just some of the work he does. We all know relationships are built over time, and Vince is a leader in regional transportation issues.

This is a critical time in Maricopa’s commuting corridor development, and we need to re-elect Vince. I believe it is important that Vince serve on the council for the next 4 years as we move through the 26-mile I-10 expansion, I-10 interchange improvements, and work on a new traffic interchange at Seed Farm Road, the SR 347 expansion, the SR 238 infrastructure upgrades and widening, and the transformation of the western edge of Maricopa. And don’t forget the transformative Green Road Loop that will serve the west side.

Vince may not be the first to arrive, because he is always doing something, but he is often the last one to leave an event, offering to stay and clean up. He will ask what he can bring to make an event successful and ask how you are after a long meeting or tough day of work.

Vince serves as a mentor to many people here in Maricopa. Small business owners, local leaders and our youth. Vince knows a lot about the City of Maricopa and knows a lot of people in Maricopa. This means a quick phone call or introduction can be life changing for someone in need. Vince has offered internships to a young local photographers, and future writers.

A first job, an invitation, a smile, a handshake, a phone call, a donation… helping someone in need is a way of life for Vince. It’s not something he just does during the holidays or out of obligation.

Here is the biggest secret about Vince, he has a big heart. He is generous, thoughtful and kind. I understand it may be difficult to see at times, but it is true. Vince and his wife show up at hospitals, birthday parties, graduations, fundraisers and other places when it matters.

Open Arms Vocational Living Center is Vince’s idea. He approached me after a council meeting and was telling me about his dream of helping our local young vulnerable men who age out of foster care and have nowhere to go and no support. He asked if we could work together to make this dream a reality. I told him we would try. Vince declines credit most of the time. He will often give others credit and leave himself out; with the goal of the other person being recognized for the same exact amount of work/contribution.. It is not uncommon for Vince to put others before himself.

Vince is fiscally conservative and protective of Maricopa’s future. He does not want our children and their children to pay for the decisions we are making today.

Part of the reason Vince’s New Jersey side comes out at times is because Vince cares deeply for Maricopa. He has worked hard and has invested a lot of time and energy into our community.

On Saturday May 16, Vince was the speaker at Molly’s House of Little Feet Preschool’s graduation. Vince will get up early, and go to bed late, serving, driving, advocating, volunteering, reading, just as council members have the privilege to do, Vince does that. He says “yes” and shows up again and again, day after day.

When I was running for city council and asking council members for advice, Vince told me more than once, “Just be yourself.” That advice served as an anchor for me when facing challenging moments during my rookie campaign.

I am aware Vince can be a polarizing person. When it comes down to it, we don’t vote for someone because we like them. We vote for someone who we think can do the best job, work hard and represent the issues we care about the most. Vince has served for 11 years, has been successful and is willing to serve for four more. If you care about transportation, education, our youth and local business there is no one running who is more prepared to do so, please join me in voting for Vince Manfredi for four more years.

Councilmember Amber Liermann
2020 – current

Vincent Manfredi owns InMaricopa and this is a letter written to the editor. 

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