Queen Creek mayor takes leave of absence, to return to duties in late fall
Queen Creek Mayor Julia Wheatley is on a leave of absence to focus on family and will return in late 2025. Vice Mayor Leah Martineau will step in temporarily.
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PHOENIX — The Queen Creek mayor recently announced she is taking a leave of absence “to give (her family) the dedicated time they deserve,” the city said on Monday.
Julia Wheatley has served as the city mayor since 2023 and before that in a city council position dating back to 2010.
In addition to not returning to her duties till “late fall,” Wheatley said she will also not be “accepting (her) mayoral stipend” during her time away.
“One of the qualities that makes Queen Creek so special is our community’s shared commitment to being family-friendly,” Wheatley said in a statement. “That same value has motivated me to take an unusual but meaningful step for my own family. My children have never known a time when I have not served in elected office, and taking this opportunity will allow me to give them the dedicated time they deserve.”
Queen Creek Vice Mayor Leah Martineau will take over temporarily in Wheatley’s stead.
“It has been an honor to serve this community for the past 15 years, and I look forward to returning to continue that service,” Wheatley added. “I am sincerely grateful for the understanding and support of this community that I love.”
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Comments
3 Comments
It seems like Wheatley took on a job she wasn't ready for. If she didn't understand what the role entailed or what was expected of her, then she really wasn't the right fit for the position. Sure, family matters, but so does managing a city. Clearly, she wasn't willing to make the necessary sacrifices for the job, and it would have been smarter for her to just step down and let someone capable take over.
Not accepting the "pay" is a no-brainer. It sounds like Wheatley enjoys having a title but isn't interested in the actual work that comes with it.
Must be nice to have a job you can stop working when convenient and still have it there when you want to return. Most people do not have that luxury.
Queen Creek deserves far better.
I really hope she's a much better mother and wife than she is a mayor.
A MAN would never be allowed to do this .. (#doublestandards)
It appears after 15 years of public service, the mayor wants to spend quality holiday time with her family. Good that she can do that - a lot of working people cannot.