Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio has been the taxpayer's champion, exposing waste, favoritism and public unions finagling huge pay increases during the worst recession in most of our lives. He has pushed for managed competition for non-core city services, more transparency in procurement and in government in general and lower taxes, including ending the recently passed new food tax.
Councilman Sal DiCiccio was appointed by the Mayor and Phoenix City Council to fill out the term of Councilman Greg Stanton on February 10, 2009. DiCiccio was elected to a full term of his own in November 2009. He was previously elected to the Phoenix City Council in 1994 and 1998.
As councilmember, DiCiccio lists his three goals as job creation, improved public safety, and neighborhood preservation. His support from diverse audiences, such as dozens of neighborhood leaders, public safety organizations and business groups demonstrate DiCiccio's willingness to listen and forge creative solutions for all involved.
Born in Youngstown, Ohio on January 26, 1958 to Paul and Nicolina DiCiccio, both Italian immigrants, he is the oldest of three boys. DiCiccio's parents moved to the United States in the late 50s to join family and pursue the American Dream. Armed with a sixth grade education, DiCiccio's father worked as a laborer and his mother as a seamstress as they raised their boys in an Italian area surrounded by family and friends.
In 1962, DiCiccio's family relocated to Phoenix where his father had only one cousin. DiCiccio recalls that he found himself surrounded by people speaking a foreign language - he later learned that language was English. Years later, he asked his father why he relocated the family to a place where they didn't know anyone - his response, "I brought you here because I want you to grow up as an American."
DiCiccio attended high school at Tempe High, where former Congressman Harry Mitchell taught government. DiCiccio credits Mitchell for his interest in politics and government. After high school, DiCiccio worked multiple jobs to pay his way through Arizona State University where he earned a bachelor's degree in Business. One of DiCiccio's first jobs after college was working in the office of Senator John McCain.
Proud of both his country and his heritage, DiCiccio takes the lessons learned in a working class home and applies them to his work at the city every day. A businessman and fiscal conservative, DiCiccio looks for opportunities to stretch every dollar on behalf of the taxpayer.
DiCiccio is married to Debbie DiCiccio and has twin daughters, Anna and Emilia.