Small Town News

Six city council candidates vie for four seats

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A seventh candidate, Jimmy Norris, withdraws from race

Seven candidates are on the election ballot Tuesday for four City Council seats in the Willcox primary election. However one candidate, Jimmy Norris, withdrew from the election Monday.

Norris, currently on the council, said he will finish out his term, but will be moving into the county after he bid on a home and won the bid, closing on the property just last week.

"We were going to fix it up and sell it, but now we have decided to fix it up and live there," he told the Range News Monday.

"It was too late to pull my name from the ballot, but I am asking people to please vote for another candidate of their choice. I thank everyone for their support all these years and I have enjoyed serving the community on the Council," Norris said.

City election results will be posted on www.co.cochise.az.us and the Arizona Range News website, www.willcoxrangenews.com, following the election Tuesday evening.

All seven participated in the Willcox Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture Candidates Forum last Tuesday, Feb. 23.

They were Gerald "Sam" Lindsey, Monika Cronberg, Robert "Bob" Irvin, William "Bill" Holloway, Larry Schultz, Paul Sheats, and Norris (whose answers have been removed from the stories).

Less than 35 citizens attended the two-hour event at the Willcox Community Center.

Each candidate presented background information about himself, and then moderator Bill Nolan asked 12 questions of each candidate.

Several of those questions were submitted by audience members following the written questions.

What follows are candidate answers to some of those questions, beginning with an introduction.

In his introductory remarks, Paul Sheats, who moved to Willcox in 1995, said that being a parent, he wants to see Willcox to be a safe and healthy community.

"My heart is here. My ministry is here. I chose to live here," he told the audience.

"I want to represent this community in a positive way."

Thirty-five year resident Bill Holloway said he sees Willcox at the mercy of federal and state government (grants)," and would like to see that change.

"Right now, we are slowly sliding down hill," he said.

Incumbent Larry Schultz, who was appointed May 11, 2007, said he has lived in Willcox about four years now.

"Willcox is one of the most friendly towns in the country," he said. "I want it to grow, but I also want to keep it small. Now we got to figure out how to do that."

Bob Irvin told the audience he was born, raised and educated in Bisbee, moving to Willcox about 22 years ago and taking over operation of the Willcox Bowl.

He is an advocate for street repair and wants "something for the youth to do in town," he said. "I support youth programs."

Incumbent Monika Cronberg said she first moved to Willcox in August of 1995, and was "dragged here kicking and screaming."

Since then, though, she has changed her mind, calling Willcox a "wonderful community."

"This is where I want to be," she told the audience.

Cronberg, who was elected to council June 1, 2006 as a write-in candidate, said she is seeking re-election because "things aren't finished yet."

Saying, "Change is good," Cronberg wants to see economic development in Willcox so "we can bring our young people back."

Incumbent Sam Lindsey said he has lived in Arizona since 1951.

Working for the Department of Agriculture, Lindsey was transferred to Willcox in 1960, where he stayed until being transferred to Duncan in 1967.

Lindsey retired in 1992, returning to Willcox.

Appointed to the council on Feb. 21, 2008, Lindsey feels his, experience serving on the council, currently as its Mayor, will help him if re-elected.

The candidates were asked if each has a plan to alleviate shortfalls in the city budget.

Irvin said that while he is not in favor of raising taxes', he does not know "how else the city can raise funds."

"I don't have a clue where we can create more revenue," he said.

Cronberg said, "The chances little Willcox has" to receive a stimulus package "are pretty remote."

"We need to bring some things into the community right now," she said.

Lindsey said that to raise funds in the long term, Willcox needs to bring in "businesses to bring in additional revenue."

Sheats said that he feels that while city staff is doing a good job dealing with budget shortfalls, the city needs to advertise Willcox better through its activities, such as FFA and rodeos.

"We have these things," he said. "We need to invite people to come out and spend the night at our hotels."

HoEoway said that he would be in favor of giving Willcox Regional Economic Development Association (WREDA) "another $5,000."

He said that driving through Willcox, he "can't count on one hand the number of offices that are closed."

Schultz said that in addition to promoting tourism, he has been trying to help "bring revenue into the city," including working with state legislators to obtain stimulus money as well as "green money" into Willcox.

As moderator, Nolan asked the candidates how they would vote on acquiring the airport.

Schultz responded that of the 960 acres the city would acquire, "there is 240-some acres of developable land."

"We do not have land we can dangle in front of developers," said Schultz, adding that the city would pay only "$8,000 per year for a $2 million piece of property."

Irvin said that he "cannot see the city assuming $8,000 to $16,000 in operations costs right now."

"There is no way the government is going to keep shelling out the money," he added.

Cronberg said that the city does "need to move forward in acquiring the airport."

"There is a dedicated grant of $150,000 annually to maintain it at status quo," she said.

Cronberg added that the city could do a better job managing the airport locally.

"The county has other areas of focus for their money," she said.

Lindsey said that he knows "the timing is bad."

"If I had to vote tonight, I would vote, 'No,'" he said.

Holloway talked about the economic possibilities raised by 270 separate acres of land along with the airport.

"It's an opportunity we cannot pass up."

"We are sitting where we are today because people 30 years ago passed up annexation, etc."

Sheats responded, "If I had to vote tonight, I'd say, 'Yes.' That land opens up the door for the means by which Willcox could grow."

He added that negotiations with the county could take as long as 18 months, giving the city more time to get ready.

"I don't want us to walk away," Sheats said.

In another question, Nolan reminded the candidates that the city council "recently was challenged with a controversial decision regarding economic development."

"What industries do you believe should and should not be considered as complementary economic development in Willcox?'

Sheats responded that the council needs "to look at each one (business) coming in. We should do our homework, and then just make a decision."

Alluding to the recent decision about the meatpacking plant, Sheats added that "cowboy related" and farming-related businesses are appropriate for this community.

Holloway said that regarding that matter; the council had done its due diligence.

"I'm not tied to any one activity," said Holloway, adding he would like to see businesses like Simflo that would add "30 or 40 jobs to the community."

"I'm sure there are people in Phoenix, Arizona, who would rather live in Willcox, Arizona," he said.

Schultz re-iterated that Willcox is a "small, friendly community."

He explained that he believes in promoting tourism, which is a business that brings dollars in from outside the community "rather than the same dollar being circulated three of four times."

"I would like to see Wal-Mart come in here," said Irvin. "I'm sure we've all gone to Benson or Safford to shop at Wal-Mart."

As to the meatpacking plant decision, Irvin said, "I don't like the process myself, but I go to Safeway to buy steak."

Cronberg said that as a council member, making the decisions is not always easy.

"We have to keep our minds open to any industry interested in the city," she said.

"Diversification is a good thing," said Cronberg, referring to keeping the door open for businesses such as restaurants and B&B's.

Lindsey said that the council should continue to support WREDA, which works to bring in businesses, and "bring in sales tax that sustains our city."

Nolan also asked the candidates what they see as the biggest challenge during the next term (if elected).

Holloway responded, "keeping the focus on what we can do."

He explained that what's happened is that Willcox is not "shrinking in size, but shrinking in relation to the state."

Sheats said he is all for getting the word out about Willcox.

"I chose to live here and I want people to see what a great city we have."

Irvin also said that it is the pursuit of economic development, and also commented on the streets.

"The streets are in horrendous shape and only getting worse," he said. "It's because of the bad weather, and I know that."

Cronberg responded that it is maintaining "unity of purpose."

"It is a big challenge, but it's the one way to do it," she said.

"Our single greatest challenge is our budget," said Lindsey, adding that the council needs to explore the "different avenues we have available."



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© 2010 Arizona Range News Willcox, Arizona. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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