AVONDALE, Ariz. — A Goodyear boy who spoke at a city council meeting about road safety is being honored for his bravery and eagerness to improve the community.
9-year-old William Miller Jr. was presented with the "Outstanding Citizen of the City of Goodyear" award at the Avondale Elementary School Board meeting on Tuesday.
"Some people can make a difference," Miller Jr. said as he accepted his award.
Miller Jr. questioned his local leaders about street racers during public comment at a Goodyear City Council meeting on Jan. 8.
"Hello council, how you guys doing today," Miller Jr. said at the meeting. "Me and my grandma would, would walk to Sonic to get some ice cream and it's very dangerous because of all of the street racers that there is.”
The now 9-year-old impressed the entire council chamber after asking his local leaders how they plan to slow cars down.
"That's a good question," Goodyear Mayor Joe Pizzillo said.
His interest in his community quickly garnered attention from across the West Valley, leaving Miller Jr. with a whirlwind two weeks.
“It’s been crazy. I loved it," Miller Jr. said.
Through it all, the third grader is staying true to his goal.
"Stopping street racers, cleaning up the cities," Miller Jr. said.
His dad, William Miller Sr., proudly watched him achieve success at a young age.
“I’ve been taking him to different meetings and interviews so we’ve been extremely busy but we like it, I think we can get used to it," Miller Sr. said. "I’m his campaign manager, absolutely.”
Like any campaign manager, the elder Miller tried to help his son write his thank you speech.
"He threw it all out the window and came up with his own thing," Miller Sr. said.
The younger Miller did not disappoint with the speech he came up with.
“Just two weeks ago, I didn’t think... I would even meet Mark Curtis. It was impossible to meet... and last night I met him. It’s crazy how that works," Miller Jr. said.
He met 12News anchors Curtis and Caribe Devine while attending the Townhall on Teen Violence.
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