Business, Education, Local, News, Youth

District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuelta update for May 11

by  •  • Comments Off on District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuelta update for May 11
header
Coconino County Government
ELIZABETH C. ARCHULETA
Supervisor, District 2

Keeping you up-to-date on News and Events
Spring has come roaring in and we are still experience a very dry season. Please share information that you receive with your neighbors and friends and help spread the word about Coconino County being in a Stage 2 Fire Restrictions. Only through educating our community and visitor can we help with the prevention of fires.
I welcome hearing from you on issues important to you, please contact me anytime. Here’s to wishing you have a wonderful spring and are looking forward to summer months ahead.
Visit our Website

County Enacts Stage 2 Fire Restrictions
Last week, Coconino County entered Stage Two Fire Restrictions under the Wildfire Defense Ordinance. These restrictions apply to all of Coconino County up to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
“Unfortunately, we already know from the Tinder Fire the devastating effects of human caused wildfire,” said Chairman of the Board Matt Ryan. “This is an extremely dry and dangerous fire season and people need to be extremely cautious. A single spark can ruin peoples’ lives and destroy the forests we love. We strongly urge everyone to be extremely firewise.”
Stage Two Fire Restrictions prohibit any combustion, open fire and camp fires in unincorporated areas and residences in the County with certain exceptions, such as having written permits or variances from their fire district (except on Red Flag Days). Open flame for personal use of tobacco products is restricted to inside closed vehicles or buildings only, and residents are allowed to cook with LPG fuels that can be turned on and off, like gas grills, in areas cleared of combustible materials.
You can read the full ordinance here.

Community Responds to Tinder Fire

With more than 80 structures damaged or destroyed, the Tinder Fire has been the most catastrophic event faced by the county in 20 years in terms of home loss.
Although not fully contained, the fire has moved out from residential areas and over the weekend evacuation orders were lifted. Returning residents have been assisted by numerous government and nonprofit partners at the Individual Assistance Support Center in the Blue Ridge Community Church. Services offered included health services, food and water as well as people to answer questions on insurance.
Individuals wishing to support incident survivors’ recovery can make cash donations by texting “2018Fire” to 41444. People can also donate or volunteer through the United Way of Northern Arizona website at nazunitedway.org or call the Coconino Call Center at (928) 213-2990. Donations are tax deductible and 100 percent of the proceeds go to qualifying agencies which provide direct support to the families
Arizona Chief Justice Meets with Supervisors on Merit Selection, ‘Justice for All’ Initiative
Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Scott Bales met with the Board of Supervisors on April 24 to discuss the merit selection of judges and the Justice for All Initiative.
Members of the legal community, including private attorneys, judges and staff attended the work session.
The merit selection process is used in Maricopa, Pima and Pinal Counties and selects judges for the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals and the superior courts based on appointment rather than election. The Governor appoints state judges from a pool selected by an unbiased judicial nominating commission.
For the County to change the way Superior Court Judges are selected, the Board would have to refer the question to county voters for approval.
Chief Justice Bales also discussed the Justice for All Initiative which addresses the more prominent financial hardships faced by those in the Arizona courts system, such as the inability to post bail or other court imposed fines.

County Forest Restoration Director Named
Jay Smith, who has served as an executive with forest restoration companies such as Good Earth Power AZ and Southwest Forest Products, has been appointed as the Coconino County Forest Restoration Director.
In the position, he will look at both agency and operational advocacy opportunities in supporting forest industry development and provide significant capacity to address the number one public safety issue facing Coconino County, catastrophic wildfires and post-wildfire flooding.
Smith will also work on pilot projects that involve a potential expansion of Good Neighbor Agreements to include counties and to work with the Ecological Restoration Institute at Northern Arizona University to design and promote a wood manufacturing business cluster and biomass facility in northern Arizona.
“By hiring a Forest Restoration Director, Coconino County has demonstrated its commitment to bring innovation and leadership to move critical forest restoration objectives forward,” said District 1 Supervisor Art Babbott. “Viable forest industries are a pre-requisite for successful restoration and Jay’s decade long involvement in the private sector will serve the interests reestablishing successful industry in our region.”
Smith earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Forest Management from Northern Arizona University.

Youth Leaders In Action
The Board of Supervisors is proud to promote and support a new pilot program  called “Youth In Action”  A new intern program for teens.   There are two sessions available over summer break to place your teen in local businesses for experience to help mold their future.
You can find out more information on our County Website under the Career Center here and fill out your application soon.   Due to the Red For ED events during the past weeks, the deadline for applications has been extended to May 25, 2018.
Board of Supervisors Meetings
Meetings are held at 219 E. Cherry Ave. in Flagstaff
  • May 15: Evening session, 6 p.m.
  • May 22: Work Session, 10 a.m. (tentative)
  • June 5: Regular Session, 10 a.m.
  • June 12: Work Session, 10 a.m. (tentative)
  • June 19: Evening session, 6 p.m.
 
Supervisor Liz Archuleta; (928) 679-7152; larchuleta@coconino.az.gov
Theresa M. Munoz, Executive Assistant; (928) 679-7162; tmunoz@coconino.az.gov
219 E. Cherry Avenue
Flagstaff, Arizona 86001
‌