Three candidates vying for Morenci mayor in Aug. 8 primary election
MORENCI — A primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 8, in Morenci will narrow down the city’s mayoral and city council races.
There are three individuals on the primary ballot for Morenci mayor and three on the ballot for the single, 2-year term for Morenci City Council, which expires Nov. 11, 2025. Two candidates for each position will advance to the November election.
Profiled here are the three candidates running for mayor. They are former Morenci Mayor William Foster, current city council member Jeffrey Lampson and former city council member Tracy Schell. For the mayor race, voters must vote for only one of the three candidates.
The two candidates to garner the highest number of votes in the primary will advance to the November general election.
Current Mayor Sean Seger, whose term expires in November, is not seeking reelection.
The Daily Telegram provided a questionnaire to each of the candidates. Their responses, which have been lightly edited for clarity, are being published in print today and online at www.lenconnect.com.
The candidates for Morenci City Council were profiled in the Sunday, Aug. 6, edition of The Daily Telegram and also online.
More: Kori Christle, Perry Cox, Gary Pfund seeking to fill 2-year Morenci City Council seat
Residents may still register to vote at Morenci City Hall, 118 Orchard St., or turn in their absentee ballots.
Election Day hours will be from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Morenci City Hall.
William Foster Sr.
Age: 59.
Occupation: Business owner (City Service Towing & Auto Service LLC); also an ordained minister.
Spouse/kids: Single father of five.
Government experience: Former mayor of Morenci from 2013 to 2015; Morenci Chamber of Commerce trustee from 2018 to the present; two honorable discharges from the United States Army; member of the Morenci Planning Commission.
Volunteer/service/involvement with city of Morenci: Morenci Little League coach for five years; Morenci Town & Country Festival chairman; Morenci Area High School Class of 1982.
Why are you running for this position? To help put this city back on track for all citizens.
What do you think are the one/two major issue(s) facing the city of Morenci and what should be done about it/them? Street repair and our water bills are getting out of hand. Taxes are another thing that needs to be looked into. We need to curb spending and quit creating jobs that are not needed. Accountability of city employees; open city hall and the Department of Public Works offices five days a week.
What are some of the attributes that make someone a successful mayor? Leadership and decision-making for all citizens.
Why should people vote for you? Born and raised in Morenci and always supporting of our hometown. I will include all citizens to participate in our meetings and community, as well as listen to the people.
More: Community Briefs: Aug. 7, 2023
Jeffrey M. Lampson
Age: 56
Occupation: Parts management/General Motors dealership.
Spouse/kids: Single, three kids and three grandchildren.
Government experience: I have been on the Morenci City Council for eight years. I was chairman of the Department of Public Works committee. Currently, I am the chairman of the finance and legal committee and mayor pro tem.
Volunteer/service/involvement with city of Morenci: I’ve been involved in community service with the city of Morenci in many ways. I volunteered my time through Jr. Dawgs football, coached Little League baseball and volunteered my time through numerous other agencies in the town of Morenci.
Why are you running for this position? I see growth and great potential in our city. I see numerous goals that we have sought and worked hard to put in place for the city and some goals are unfinished. I am running for mayor because there is a need to continue the work that we started and to also continue to be financially accountable and to also promote the growth of our great town.
What do you think are the one/two major issue(s) facing the city of Morenci and what should be done about it/them? First of all, we need to start bringing businesses back into our downtown area. By doing this, we expand our growth, bring people to our downtown and also bring in families for our school district. We have a couple great projects going right now involving our city parks and good things on the horizon. Secondly, we need to make sure that we are being financially responsible and accountable. Meaning we need to maintain the services that we offer with our great fire, police, DPW and EMS departments. We also need to make sure that we are taking care of our water supply and our local and major roads, all the while maintaining a balanced budget.
What are some of the attributes that make somebody a successful mayor? Honesty, availability, current experience within the city government, the ability to reach out and hear the city residents, and to also share a vision of how great the town of Morenci can be.
Why should people vote for you? I truly believe that I bring to the table eight years of current experience of city government and the ability to deal with difficult situations which have arisen during those eight years. I bring a passion and a vision that I share with others to bring growth to Morenci, to continue to balance budgets and provide necessary services for the residents of Morenci. There will not be a day that I will not put my whole heart into this mayor position and not a day will pass where I will not be available for the residents of Morenci. I have loved this town since the first day I moved here, it has stolen my heart. Thank you for your time and your vote.
Subscribe Now: For all the latest local developments, breaking news, and high school and college sports content.
Tracy Schell
Age: 54.
Occupation: School secretary.
Spouse/kids: I have been married to Floyd Schell for 32 years. We have four children, ages 17-31.
Government experience: I have 12 years of experience working for the city of Morenci. These years were spent on the planning commission and city council with appointments as the chairperson of the public works committee, the public safety committee and mayor pro tempore.
Volunteer/service/involvement with city of Morenci: At the direction of Mayor Russ Sutherland, I worked with Delite Gillen to start the annual lighted parade and directed the Town & Country Festival committee. I also volunteered at Morenci Area Schools for two years before accepting a paid position with the school.
Why are you running for this position? I am running for office so that the people of Morenci will know that they are being heard, so that they will know what is being done in the city and so that we can continue to move forward with the plans for economic development.
What do you think are the one/two major issue(s) facing the city of Morenci and what should be done about it/them? In speaking with the citizens of Morenci, what I have heard so far is the desperate need for businesses to come to our town (grocery store, hardware store, etc.) and improvements to our public works (water and roads). I agree with these and look forward to working with our director of community and economic development for the businesses and with our Department of Public Works for the water and the roads. I also think that because we no longer have a newspaper in town, communication regarding what the council is working on is tough. I would like to see all city council meetings recorded and, if possible, livestreamed.
What are some of the attributes that make somebody a successful mayor? Morenci needs someone in office who will listen to, and keep at the forefront, the needs and desires of its citizens. The mayor should be someone who has strong thoughts and opinions but is also open-minded and willing to look at all sides of a proposal. Open-minded in that she is willing to change opinions if a strong, accurate and compelling defense is presented. Strong, but not stubborn; open-minded, but not wishy-washy. The mayor needs to be someone who is a relationship builder and is looking for growth and forward movement in our city.
Why should people vote for you? I will listen to your thoughts, keep you informed of everything that is happening in the city, work to move your city forward to a place that you can be proud to call home, and build this city to its former glory. A vote for Tracy does not mean more ordinances, it means leadership and direction for your city. I will not offer empty promises. You will know what we are working toward and if something cannot be accomplished you will know that as well. Communication and forward progress! I look forward to your support!
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: 3 candidates vying for Morenci mayor in Aug. 8 primary election
