Phoenix Mayor Gordon Appointed Light Rail Board Chairman

Phoenix, AZ –Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon has been appointed chairman of the Valley Metro Rail Board of Directors, which oversees the planning, design, construction and operation of the Valley’s planned light rail system. Gordon joins fellow mayors Neil Guiliano of Tempe, Keno Hawker of Mesa and Elaine Scruggs of Glendale – who all represent participating cities in the light rail system – on the Board. The chairman position was previously held by former Phoenix Mayor Skip Rimzsa, and became vacant when his term as mayor ended December 31.

“Light rail is a critical project for the citizens of Phoenix and also the Valley,” Gordon said. “Together with my colleagues on the Board, we will ensure the starter line project stays on track,” Gordon said.

Mesa Mayor Keno Hawker, the vice chairman of the Valley Metro Rail Board, said Gordon is the right person to lead the Board.

“Light rail is a regional project, and Phil is great at building consensus and cooperation between cities to achieve mutual goals,” Hawker said.

Mayor Neil Guiliano called the light rail project an excellent example of regional cooperation and said he looks forward to working with Mayor Gordon to make the project come to fruition.

“Light rail is something about which our cities can all agree, and Phil is dedicated to realizing the vision of a truly regional system that benefits the residents of all our cities,” Guiliano said.

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Mayor Gordon New Rail Board Chair

Valley Metro Rail is a non-profit, public corporation overseeing the design, construction and operation of the light rail system. Construction on the Valley’s light rail system is scheduled to begin in summer 2004.

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