Travel Management Plan and 404 Permitting

Two of the things I have been currently working on with other county supervisors are a more lenient Travel Management Plan for Apache Sitgraves National Forest, and 404 permitting. It is critical to work with other counties so that we have a bigger voice. 

Arizona County Supervisor's Association

I chaired the small counties' forum where the seven small counties of the state of Arizona set our legislative agenda. I also took part in the County Supervisors Association's Legislative Forum where all the supervisors of Arizona set a legislative agenda. Our Greenlee County Board of Supervisors is very engaged in the affairs of the state and our county.

Photo Booth at the Greenlee County Junior Livestock Auction

Getting the pigs to cooperate for pictures is always fun.  Most people don't see the behind the scenes activity.  

Junior Rodeo Announcer Recognition

Thank you Junior Rodeo for the beautiful jacket. I love working with these kids. They gave away very nice saddles. Thank you to all the volunteers.

Forest Service Travel Management Plan

On September 10 at the Clifton train depot from 5 to 7pm, there will be a public meeting on the Forest Service Travel Management Plan. The proposed action would limit MOTORIZED ACCESS for dispersed camping and limit motorized access for BIG GAME RETRIEVAL. Please come and share your concerns. Here is a photo of the summary of three alternatives that are currently being proposed. We, the Board of Supervisors, continue to be actively engaged in this process.

Arizona Department of Water Resources

Water, water, water.....will be a priority issue for the state. We need you to stay informed and take an active part in rural water issues. I am continuing to voice our concerns at meetings throughout the state.

Housing Study

We met with the Housing Study USDA REDI Grant Consultants - Target Industry Strategic Plan & Housing Study. Greenlee County, the town of Duncan, the Town of Clifton, and FMI met with a consultant to give final imput on the target industry study. A formal presentation will be given next week by the consultant.

Greenlee Stick Stampede Rodeo

We are proud to sponsor a buckle for the Greenlee Stick Stampede Rodeo for kids. What a great event!

Public Lands and Forest

I am representing the county on the public lands committee for the National Association of County Officials. After the meeting I was able to speak one-on-one to Vicki Christiansen, Chief Forester for the National Forest Service. We visited about 4-FRI (Four Forest Restoration Initiative) and the importance of the Eastern Arizona Counties Organization's involvement in the request for proposals to bring viable industries to deal with low value lumber and biomass in Arizona's Forests.

This week I attended the Governor's meeting on water. They are planning to form a groundwater committee to study the issues specifically related to groundwater in non-active management areas which would affect Greenlee County. I spoke to several key people in attendance and expressed my specific concerns for Greenlee County and the upper and lower Gila River.

Congressman Tom O'Halleran's Visit

What a week! The State Legislature Session is finally over. We had some wins and we had some losses, but over all we did fine. This week we had Congressman Tom O'Halleran here in Duncan and Clifton. I appreciate everyone who took the opportunity to express your concerns with him. We talked about the border and immigration, the river, water and what is happening to the farmers and their families, endangered species, and housing in the County. Thank you everyone. It takes a community to get results.

Undersecretary of Agriculture, Water Issues, and Education

From visiting with the Undersecretary of Agriculture, Hon. James Hubbard; to local water issues; to meeting with UofA officials to express ways they may meet our educational needs; to serving on the local Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee. I have been busy. The state still has not adopted a budget, but I will keep working for all of us in Greenlee County.

Water Hearing with Arizona Senators and Representatives

Last night I got to talk about our water concerns with some of the Arizona Senators and Representatives. Please come to the meeting today at 10 at the Graham County General Services Building. You are welcome to voice your concerns to them in a public meeting. They want to hear what your needs and concerns are.  I was at the meeting early and spend time with Senator Gail Griffin and Representative Drew John.

I also spoke personally with Senator Gail Griffin.

This is Senator Sine Kerr, with Representative Brenda Barton in the background. Also in attendance were Representative Rusty Bowers and Senator Tim Dunn. I spoke to all of them as well. They want to hear from you about your water issues.

FFA Banquet and Easter Egg Hunt

Small towns; "You have to love them!" FFA Banquet had a large crowd. Kayla Presley you do a fantastic job with the kids! Easter Egg hunt; a lot kids - great time for everyone. Thank you Pride Society, Town of Duncan, and the Duncan Fire Department, and of course, the Easter Bunny. Have a Happy Easter everyone, and God Bless you and your family.

Junior Rodeo Series Opening Night

We had a successful start to our Greenlee Junior Rodeo Series last night. It started out with a tribute to Buff Crawford, a man that helped lots of kids learn to love the sport of rodeo. There was a steer turned out in his honor and also a quote was given that he loved, "Courage is being scared to death....but saddling up anyway," by John Wayne. Buff, you were loved and you will be missed.

County Supervisor's Association and Growing Greenlee

I spent two days in Phoenix working with the legislature and different county officials on taxes, biomass, and other issues that pertain to Greenlee County. All bills have to be heard by the end of next week, so there is some urgency in keeping abreast of what's happening in the legislature. Bills passed in Phoenix affect the citizens of Greenlee County.

Today "Growing Greenlee" went very well. Thanks to all who helped make it a success.

Lobbying in Washington DC

I made another successful trip to Washington D.C. with my fellow supervisors. We talked to our representatives and senators. We discussed issues important to Greenlee County and the State of Arizona including water issues, forest issues, endangered species issues, hard rock mining issues, PILT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) and SRS (Secure Rural Schools.) On the home front, I attended the Governors Water Augmentation, Innovation and Conservation Council. We are also working on noxious weeds in the southern part of the county.

Rusty Bowers' Effort to Help Us in Our Water Issues

A big thank you to Speaker Rusty Bowers for his Herculean effort on House Bill 2476 Water Forfeitures. Several local farmers came to testify at the hearing. We need to continue to tell our stories and to protect our way of life.

Senator McSally Comes to Greenlee County

Thank you, Senator Martha McSally for coming to Greenlee County to hear our concerns. She listened to the Mayor of Duncan, the Mayor of Clifton, and myself, your Greenlee County supervisor.

State FFA Judging Contest at Lunt's Dairy

Thank you to the many volunteers that helped make the State FFA Dairy Judging Contest at Lunt's Dairy a success. It's unbelievable the community support that we get to put this on. Congratulations to the 13 teams that participated from all over the state. I enjoyed helping judge the contest. FFA has helped all of my children.

Arizona Runs on Water

 I spent most of the week in Phoenix working with the legislature on water issues and other issues important to Greenlee County. I was able to speak at length with Representative Rusty Bowers, Speaker of the House, on the water issues affecting the Franklin Irrigation District. I was also able to speak to our representatives in the 14th District, Representative Becky Nutt, Representative Gail Griffith, and Senator David Gowan. On Friday I attended the University of Arizona Water Conference. Water issues from around the state were addressed. Senator McSally addressed the conference.

Panel consisted of Speaker of the House Rusty Bowers, Representative Rosanna Gabaldon, Representative Gail Griffin, Senator Sine Kerr, Senate Minority Whip Lisa Otondo all of the Arizona Legislature.

Legislative Forecast Luncheon

Last Friday, I attended the 2019 Legislative Forecast Luncheon sponsored by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce. Senator Krysten Sinema, Senator Martha McSally and Governor Doug Ducey spoke of their goals for the next year. I hope to build a relationship with them and their staffs, so that when Greenlee County needs help, I am in a position to ask for it.