The current members of the Chino Valley Transit Advisory Committee will be serving the community for 2 more years. Yesterday afternoon the Town Appointments Committee approved 6 reappointments that run through September 2014. The Committee had raised concerns over Transit Manager Ed Steinback and Dispatcher Bill Mitchell continuing to serve on the Transit Board, since they are contract employees with the town. By-laws don't allow Town employees to serve on the Committee. The Appointments Board voted to reappoint Mitchell and Steinback, with the provision that they would step down if there is a problem. The Committee has also made appointments to the Board of Adjustment, the Roads and Streets Committee and the Senior Center and Parks and Recreation Advisory Boards.
District 1 Representative Karen Fann is scheduled to give an update on rainwater harvesting legislation. Fann, along with Speaker of the House Andy Tobin and Senate President Steve Pierce, has introduced legislation that establishes rules and regulations for the collection and recovery of harvested rainwater. The recently reelected Fann is scheduled to discuss the legislation during the Chino Valley Flood Control Committee meeting. Following that presentation, Mayor Chris Marley will update the Committee on the use of injection wells for effluent recharge. These wells are vertical pipes installed into the ground that are used in the disposal of treated wastewater. You can hear both updates during the meeting, which starts at 4 Monday afternoon in the Council Conference Room on North Highway 89.
The Prescott City Council will be meeting in a closed session for discussion on the Elks Opera House. Over the summer, the Elks Theater Performing Arts Center had submitted an offer to purchase the historic building. However, the deal fell through. In August, the Center announced it had purchased the first floor of the building. It is occupied by a law firm and isn't part of the theater itself. The City owns the rest of the Opera House facility. Also as part of the closed session, Council will discuss a public records request regarding Proposition 401. The Taxpayer Protection Initiative passed by a 2 to 1 margin by voters 3 years ago. It requires a public vote on projects that total 40 million dollars or more. The request is for existing or contemplated contracts.
The session will be held at 1 Tuesday afternoon in the Lower Level Conference Room at City Hall, located on South Cortez Street.
A free day of fishing was offered in Prescott Valley, and many people took advantage of the opportunity. An estimated 500 kids spent the day at Fain Lake fishing with area cops and firefighters. The first 250 kids in attendance to last Saturday's Cops and Bobbers event received free t-shirts and fishing poles. The Arizona Game and Fish Department loaned out the rest. A total of 700 people showed up for the event, which also included a free barbecue. Participating agencies included the Central Yavapai Fire District, the Prescott Valley and Chino Valley Police Departments and the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office.
Congressman Jeff Flake is hitting the campaign trail hard as the November 6th General Election gets closer. Flake is running against Democratic Challenger Richard Carmona for Senator Jon Kyl's seat on November 6th. As part of a live call-in to KQNA's Talk of the Town during a road trip yesterday, Flake said Kyl will leave some big shoes to fill. Flake explains you can't travel across the state without a great appreciation for the efforts of those who have come before us. The Congressman made a campaign stop in Prescott last Saturday, where he spoke to supporters at the Courthouse Plaza.
With the cooler weather hitting Yavapai County, the United Way will have free firewood available. Project Stay Warm supplies free wood to low income families and individuals. United Way of Yavapai County Director Melanie Jacobson explains where this wood comes from. The wood will be available on Saturdays from 9 to 1 starting tomorrow. Wood will be distributed through November 17th unless there is none left. Jacobson says anyone interested in taking advantage of the free wood must make an appointment. The distribution site is located just off 6th Street in Prescott.
The 100th anniversary of a woman's right to vote will be celebrated tomorrow. The Central Yavapai County League of Women Voters is hosting the celebration starting at 9. League President Vicki O'Hara explains Arizona women had the right to vote before suffrage was won in 1920. O'Hara says women had to fight for their right to vote in Arizon. O'Hara says a panel discussion on women's long struggle for equal rights will be part of the celebration. O'Hara explains who has been invited to sit on the panel. A representative of a new group, the Central Yavapai Citizens for Civil Discourse is also expected to sit on the panel. The celebration is free and open to the public. It will be held at Las Fuentes Resort Village, located on Scott Drive in Prescott.
