Monthly Archives: May 2017

Coconino Sheriff deputies respond to threat at BIA Leupp School

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LEUPP – Coconino County Sheriff deputies respond to Leupp, Arizona to assist the Navajo Police Department and the BIA Leupp School with a possible threat.

At approximately 10:00 am, the Navajo Police Department requested assistance from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office to respond to the BIA Leupp School about a threat of a shooting. Information received was that the school had found a note in a restroom threatening a shooting at the school.

The Sheriff’s Office immediately sent two deputies to BIA Leupp to assist the Navajo Police Department until they could get other officers on scene. At this point the investigation into the threatening note will be conducted by the Navajo Police Department.

Board of Supervisors adopt “Ban the Box” Resolution

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FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the “Ban the Box” Resolution (2017 – 29) in a special session this week. The County will now adopt and implement policies supporting the employment of rehabilitated individuals with criminal records.

County Human Resources (HR) will no longer require disclosure of prior criminal history on initial job applications. HR will also determine which positions will continue to require background checks due to their work with vulnerable populations or the safety-sensitive nature of the positions.

“This resolution is a significant step in criminal justice reform,” said Chairwoman of the Board of Supervisors Liz Archuleta. “It demonstrates Coconino County is an organization that values the talents and skills all potential employees bring including those who have made mistakes in the past and completed their sentences. We are proud to be part of a national effort with other government agencies and high profile businesses that have taken similar action to the Board today. I hope this sets the tone for other counties and organizations in Arizona and in the Country to follow suit.”

The national campaign to Ban the Box started in 2004. It is estimated that nearly 70 million, or 1 in 3 adult Americans have a criminal history and struggle finding employment after incarceration. Per the Ban the Box campaign, over 45 cities and counties have removed the question regarding conviction history from their employment applications.

The County will also actively encourage rehabilitated individuals with criminal records to apply for employment by engaging community partners such as treatment providers, correctional facilities reentry specialists and organizations assisting individuals in obtaining employment.

Increase in pertussis (whooping cough) reported in Coconino County

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FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) has confirmed an increase in pertussis (whooping cough) illness in Coconino County. CCPHSD is reminding individuals of the importance of vaccinations for both children and adults.

Early symptoms of pertussis are mild and cold-like, including runny nose, sneezing and coughing that becomes more persistent. Pertussis is easily spread when an infected person coughs. It can cause spells of violent coughing and gasping for breath in young children and can last weeks. Children often make a “whooping” noise when they breathe. This disease is most serious for babies under one year old, immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women.

Adults who get pertussis often have a cough, but don’t “whoop”. Unfortunately, many adults with pertussis are not treated and pass this disease on to others, possibly young children. Pertussis is easily spread from person to person. Transmission usually occurs by sharing close breathing space with an infected individual that is coughing or sneezing.

Any adults or children who have a cough that has lasted for over 14 days should be evaluated by their health care provider, especially if the illness includes coughing fits, vomiting after coughing, or whooping. Antibiotics are available to treat the infection and prevent further spreads of the disease.

Immunization is extremely important for the prevention and control of pertussis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis) vaccine for infants and children through age 6. Tdap vaccinations, which contain protection against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, are recommended for preteens, teens and adults and should be given to 7 – 10 year olds who are not fully vaccinated against the illness. Pertussis vaccinations are required by the State of Arizona for school attendance. Please visit https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/about/ for more information.

Pregnant women are encouraged to get Tdap with every pregnancy during weeks 27-36 regardless of previous vaccinations to provide optimal protection to the infant.

Adults who have close contact with infants (parents, grandparents, childcare providers and healthcare providers) should get a dose of Tdap. Getting vaccinated with Tdap – at least two weeks before coming into close contact with an infant – is especially important for families with, and caregivers of, new infants.

Vaccinations are available from healthcare providers or the Coconino County Public Health Services District Clinic, 2625 N. King Street, Flagstaff. Call the CCPHSD Clinic at 928.679.7222 for an appointment or for more information.

Commission proposes to amend rules for game bird field training licenses

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Commission proposes to amend R12-4-414 to develop rule changes that result in an improved process and customer-friendly approach to administering game bird field training licenses.

All public comments about the proposed rulemaking will be accepted through July 2, 2017:

  • Email: rulemaking@azgfd.gov or wzarlingo@azgfd.gov.
  • U.S. Mail: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn.: Wade Zarlingo, Small Game Program Manager, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086.
  • Telephone: Wade Zarlingo, Small Game Program Manager, 623-236-7503.

The final rule will be presented to the five-member commission at the end of the comment period. The commission will review the final rulemaking during a special telephonic meeting at 10 a.m. July 17, 2017.

To track the progress of this rule, view the regulatory agenda and all previous Five-Year Review Reports, and to learn about any other agency rulemaking matters, visit https://www.azgfd.com/agency/rulemaking/.

Sheriff’s Office Investigates Death of Man at Horseshoe Bend

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PAGE – The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a Scottsdale, Arizona man at a tourist attraction about 5 miles south of Page, Arizona.

On Sunday May 7, 2017, around 9:00 AM rangers from the National Park Service at Glen Canyon located a phone and water bottle at the cliffs edge of Horseshoe Bend and notified the Sheriff’s Office of the suspicious items.

Sheriff’s Deputies from the Page office responded to the area. Deputies and Rangers looked over the edge and saw what they believed was a possible human body 600 to 800 feet down the cliff wall. NPS Rangers summonsed the assistance of Classic Helicopters out of Page to fly officers down into the canyon. A Sheriff’s deputy was flown in and confirmed there was a deceased male.

Deputies and detectives investigated the ownership of the phone found on top and determined the phone belonged to a 34-year-old male from Scottsdale, Arizona. Deputies were able to locate the vehicle owned by the man in parking lot of Horseshoe Bend.

Around 6:00 PM, the Page Police Department was notified by the subject’s girlfriend, reporting he was missing and may be in the Page area and maybe suicidal. He had communicated with his girlfriend around 7:30 PM Saturday night that he was at Horseshoe Bend. On Sunday, the girlfriend found some written communication left at their home in Scottsdale indicating he was contemplating suicide.

The body was removed from the area by helicopter and turned over to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Lance Davison Memorial High Country Stand Down May 19

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Editorial by Supervisor Jim Parks

The great philosopher Plato said, “Only the dead have seen the end of war.”

Unfortunately, centuries later, this statement still holds true. Accessing basic human services can be extremely difficult for returning veterans, especially those who suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and the effects of Traumatic Brain Injury.

The National Homeless Veterans Association estimates there are 1.4 million homeless and at-risk veterans currently in the U.S.

These veterans are a part of our community—Our friends, our family and our neighbors. Connecting homeless and at—risk veterans and their families with the services they need is a top priority.

This is one of the many reasons I’m proud to be a part of a large coalition of local public and private sector organizations that are organizing the 5th Annual Lance Davison Memorial High Country Stand Down. This year’s Stand Down will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday May 19 at the Flagstaff Armory.

The local coalition of heroes, in coordination with the Arizona Stand Down Alliance, works all year arranging services, planning logistics and coordinating volunteers for the event day. Hundreds of veterans from across northern Arizona are expected to attend.

During this event, veterans will be offered hot meals, hygiene kits, clothing, surplus, legal assistance, employment services, dental, vision and medical assistance, haircuts, Veterans’ Court and Notary services, and information on disability and survivor benefits.

The Lance Davison Memorial High Country Stand Down began over five years ago by the local veterans’ community and retired Coconino County Supervisor Mandy Metzger. They started the High Country Stand Down because they wanted to give back to those who fought for our nation.

The term “Stand Down” is used in the United States military to denote a time when military actions are temporarily halted to rearm, reassess, and renew the troops and the terms of engagement in the battle at hand.

I greatly value our returning soldiers and think they should have access to help and the opportunity to truly stand down. As a community, it is imperative we come together and support those who sacrificed their lives in defense of our freedom.

It is an honor, as a member of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, to help bridge the gap between veterans and the services they need during this celebration of their service. Please help me spread the word to veterans, their families and in your communities about the Lance Davison High Country Stand Down on May 19.

Page Unified School District seeking Governing Board applicants

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Risha VanderWey is seeking applicants for appointment to the Page Unified School District Governing Board. Effective May 4, one seat became vacant due to the resignation of Irene Jones.

Applicants must be Arizona registered voters and residents of the school district for at least one year prior to the date of appointment. Applicants or their spouses can’t be an employee of the district.

Application information:
· Download the application here http://www.coconino.az.gov/schoolboardapplication
· Deadline to submit is 5 p.m., Tuesday, May 30.
· Submit by email rvanderwey@coconino.az.gov (Live signature original required)
· Submit by fax 928-526-1469 (Live signature original required)
· Mail/drop off Coconino County School Superintendent, 2384 N Steves Blvd, Flagstaff, AZ 86004

An advisory committee, consisting of district residents and a current board member will be assembled to conduct interviews and advise Superintendent VanderWey on the appointments.

For more information, please call the Office of the Coconino County School Superintendent at 928-679-8070 or e-mail: rvanderwey@coconino.az.gov.

Supervisors update Wildfire Defense Ordinance

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FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Board of Supervisors updated the Wildfire Defense Ordinance during a special session Wednesday, May 3. The updates clarified language in the ordinance and strengthened the coordination of fire-related activities between fire management jurisdictions within the County.

The largest wildfires in Coconino County, the Schultz and Slide Fires, were human caused. The total economic impact of the Schultz Fire alone estimated at between $133-147 million. The Schultz Fire in 2010 claimed 15,000 acres and 2014’s Slide Fire claimed 21,000 acres.

“Residents of Coconino County know too well the damage wildfire can cause,” said Chairwoman of the Board, Liz Archuleta. “The updated language in the Wildfire Defense Ordinance will clear up confusion, specify roles of agencies and provide better communication with residents and visitors. This will help keep our communities safe from fire and protect the well- being of our forests.”

The updated changes to the Wildfire Defense Ordinance (2017-05) are effective May 3, 2017 and the following updates will be incorporated:

• During fire restrictions, people can’t initiate, facilitate, maintain, cause or contribute to a campfire, an open fire, or use of fireworks; or knowingly engage in an activity likely to result in combustion.
• Narrowly defined exemptions during fire restrictions. Permits for exemptions are requested through the local fire district. People living outside of a fire district can request a variance through Coconino County Emergency Management.
• Fire restriction stages are in line with the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management and the U.S. Forest Service.

The Wildfire Defense Ordinance guidelines are enacted by the Board of Supervisors with recommendations by the Emergency Management Director.

“Thank you to the Board of Supervisors for their input and hard work on updating the Wildfire Defense Ordinance,” said Coconino County Emergency Management Director Todd Whitney. “I also want to thank our local, state and federal partners for working with us to make updates to this ordinance. We look forward to keeping constituents and visitors informed during fire restrictions.”

The full ordinance and a complete list of changes can be found at: www.coconino.az.gov/207/Emergency-Management

Passage of Voluntary Emissions Bank HB 2152 Creates Incentives for Arizona’s Business Economy and Improved Air Quality

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PHOENIX – Arizona Department of Environmental Quality officials today thank Governor Ducey for signing House Bill 2152, Emissions credits; voluntary emissions bank, into law, which provides both new and expanding Arizona businesses added opportunity in meeting mandatory federal Clean Air Act requirements to improve air quality, and may serve as a draw for new industries to locate to our state.

Prior to the passing of HB 2152, surplus emissions reductions deposits to Arizona’s emissions bank, which can be purchased by new or expanding businesses to meet Clean Air Act permitting requirements, were accepted only from permitted industrial facilities (traditional sources). Surplus emissions reductions are generated when a company reduces its air emissions below legal limits.

Representative Russell Bowers, R-25, sponsor of the bill, said, “With the demands of the EPA pressing upon our unique desert environment and its ambient production of ozone constituents, we have not been able to find permit space for new industry needs for air permits. While I have concerns about intruding into mobile sources, this voluntary approach could prove a great benefit to industry growth in Arizona.”

Enactment of this legislation expands the emissions bank to accept deposits from “non-traditional sources,” such as reductions generated through electrification of vehicle fleets. Allowing deposits from non-traditional sources will significantly increase the number of credits that could be deposited. For example, Maricopa County reports that 86 percent of contaminants that contribute to ozone generation come from non-traditional sources, mostly vehicles. This bill provides both an economic and environmental opportunity because it supports business growth in Arizona and incentivizes further air emissions reductions through a voluntary free-market sale process.

ADEQ Air Quality Division Director, Timothy S. Franquist, said, “The enactment of HB 2152 is consistent with Governor Ducey’s vision for agencies to be actively looking for ways to increase economic growth in Arizona. The enhanced voluntary Arizona emissions bank achieves both economic and environmental benefits by allowing new types of emissions offset credits to be used.” Franquist further explained that, “Arizona’s model is not a ‘cap and trade’ regulatory structure used elsewhere in the country.”

“These changes are a win-win for business and air quality,” Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman, Denny Barney, District 1, said. “The emissions bank allows the County to keep and attract desirable high-tech companies while working toward achieving air quality standards.”

ADEQ and Maricopa County officials worked cooperatively with stakeholders throughout the legislative session to develop and refine key provisions of the bill as follows:

  • Clarifies that the State does not receive any new authority to establish emissions limits for stationary or mobile sources, participation in the emissions bank is voluntary and credits do not expire
  • Prohibits banked credit sweeps by ADEQ or any other entity
  • Allows non-traditional credits to be banked

Monument review could help Arizona

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Opinion By Larry D. Voyles, Director of the Arizona Game and Fish Department

President Trump’s Executive Order calling for a review of expansive executive land designations under the Antiquities Act of 1906 has predictably generated a volume of debate and dire predictions. Missing from the discussion is thoughtful dialogue about the critical role of multiple-use management in natural resources conservation and the sometimes dire consequences to our natural resources of removing such tools from the pallet of management actions and possibilities. This is all done in the name of “protection,” but sometimes we literally love our most special places to death.

In Arizona, when the 2011 Wallow Fire burned 538,000 acres of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, it initially reached crown fire intensity in the “protected” Bear Wallow Wilderness Area. “Protected” is in quotes because a wilderness designation, supposedly our highest level of protection, can actually prohibit many forest health management practices that reduce wildfire risk and protect our public lands. We all knew the overgrown Bear Wallow Wilderness would burn, and burn catastrophically.

The National Forests destroyed in the Wallow Fire, like those across the country, were established in the 20th century primarily to protect watersheds, timber, wildlife, and grazing lands, allowing these natural resources to benefit American communities. Catastrophic wildfires cause erosion that can shorten the lifespan of dams, robbing us of water, the lifeblood of our cities, towns, farms and industry.

This was the reason the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and Department opposed the Grand Canyon Watershed National Monument proposal. The President’s Order doesn’t eliminate any monuments or restrictions on the use of monument lands and waters, but the review may help highlight the stark difference between symbolic designation and real conservation.

Protected areas are an important part of our conservation landscape, but multiple-use lands are essential to our conservation future. Let’s restore balance to our conservation dialogue. A national conversation about the connections between multiple-use management and healthy forests and waters is long overdue.

Versions of this article have been published as guest columns in the Arizona Capitol Times, Arizona Daily Star and Arizona Daily Sun.