County Public Health Confirms Five Flu Cases

FLAGSTAFF —– The Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) has confirmed five cases of influenza in the County this month.

The cases originated in the Flagstaff area and are the first of the 2012/2013 flu season. Those who contracted the illness ranged in age from infant to 30s.

The confirmed cases mark the beginning of the flu season in the County, as influenza activity within Arizona continues to increase with 20 cases reported statewide (including the County’s five cases).

“We have been anticipating our first flu cases in Coconino County,” said CCPHSD Interim Chief Health Officer Kimbal Babcock. “Since flu activity typically does not reach its peak until late January or February, and influenza activity can occur as late as May, this is still a good time to get a flu shot.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone older than 6 months old receive a yearly flu vaccination to protect themselves against flu viruses. A flu shot at a CCPHSD Clinic costs $25 for adults and $15 for children 18 years and younger.

As a courtesy, the CCPHSD will bill your insurance company, but those seeking a shot should check with their insurance provider to determine whether they are covered. No one will be denied service due to inability to pay.

In addition to getting a flu shot, practicing good habits will help people maintain proper health. These simple actions can stop the spread of germs and help protect you and others from getting sick:

• Wash your hands frequently during the flu season.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Avoid contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and wash your hands afterwards. If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve.
• Stay home when you are sick.

Coconino Co. Supervisor Metzger chosen as County Supervisors Association Second Vice President

PHOENIX —– Coconino County Supervisor Mandy Metzger was elected by colleagues to serve as the second vice president of the County Supervisors Association of Arizona (CSA), a non-partisan research and advocacy organization representing the state’s 61 county supervisors.

“This is a tremendous honor,” Supervisor Metzger said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to represent my fellow supervisors in this important organization and look forward to working on behalf of counties throughout the state as the Legislature begins its new session in January.”

Metzger was chosen for the post during CSA’s November meeting. She will serve on the organization’s executive board with CSA President and Yuma County Supervisor Lenore Stuart; President-elect and Greenlee County Supervisor Richard Lunt; First Vice President and Pinal County Supervisor David Snider; Third Vice President and Gila County Supervisor Tommie Cline Martin; and Immediate Past President and Maricopa County Supervisor Max Wilson.

“Supervisor Metzger is a dedicated public servant whose experience and commitment to local government make her an exceptional representative of Arizona counties,” declared outgoing CSA President Max Wilson. “Her selection as Second Vice President reflects the trust and confidence that her fellow supervisors have in her.”

As CSA’s second vice president, Supervisor Metzger will serve on the organization’s executive board, helping to develop plans and implement strategies for strengthening Arizona counties in state policymaking.

For more than 30 years CSA has served as a forum for county leaders to address important issues facing our communities and develop a proactive state and federal policy agenda. The organization is led by an executive board comprised of supervisors elected by their peers and is staffed by a team of professional policy analysts.

Supervisor Metzger has been a CSA member since 2008.

Arizona election results

UPDATED: 11/7 2:40

There are still precincts to report, but the election results in Arizona appear to be as follows.

Phoenix television is indicating that there may be up to 400,000 provisional ballots which have to be counted separately which may change some of the results.

Federal

Republican Jeff Flake is elected to take the vacated seat of John Kyl over Democrat Richard Carmona. Flake received 808,775 to 725,292 votes for Carmona.

Of the two heated races for Representative, Kirkpatrick has defeated Jonathan Paton in CD-1 100,286 votes to 93,582 votes with Libertarian Kim Allen taking a little over 12,000 votes. In Congressional District 9, Vernon Parker lost to Kyrsten Sinema by a margin of 2101 votes. The Libertarian Powell Gammill received 10,293 votes.

Overall the Democrats have taken a lead in the Senate with the Republicans holding the House.

State

On the State level, Chester Crandell has won re-election over challenger Thom Chabin as State Senator for District 6. The Republican incumbent won 37,978 votes to 32,260. In District 7 only Democrat Jack C. Jackson was running challenged by only 1.11% write-in votes.

For Representative of District 6 Republicans Brenda Barton and Bob Thorpe have defeated their Democrat rivals Angela Lefevre and Doug Ballard. District 7 was represented in the election only by two Democrats Albert Hale and Jamescita Peshlakai.

Republicans Bob Stump, Robert Burns and Paul Newman have been seated on the Arizona Corporation Commission.

Justice John Pelander will remain as a justice on the Arizona Supreme Court.

County

The only challenged races in the Board of Supervisors was for District 1 and 3 in which Art Babbott defeated Gail Dent and Matt Ryan defeated Jack Darum.

In the two recall elections, Linda Hammer lost to James Denham and Gayle Spackman lost to Alma Seward.

Republican Gary Robbins lost his bid for Division 5 Judge of Superior Court to Cathleen Nichols.

FUSD Question 1 is a yes.
Williams USD Question is a yes.
Page USD Question 1 is a no.
Sedona-Oak Creek JUSD Question 1 is a no.
Pinewood Sanitary District Question wins.
Question 405 is for the bonds as is Question 406.

State Propositions

The propositions are currently running as follows as of 8 a.m. with only a few precincts left to report. Not too surprisingly the State sales tax increase failed with a full representation of voters over when it was passed three years ago when only about 22% of voters passed it. The Open Initiative failed which is somewhat surprising. And proposition 114 protecting gun owners from lawsuits by criminals passed overwhelmingly.

114 which protects gun owners from lawsuits by criminals
Yes 1,191,671
No 300,135

115 to change the way judges are nominated
Yes 391,718
No 1,044,414

116 changes property tax to help struggling businesses
Yes 607,142
No 788,806

117 changing property tax
Yes 819,943
No 617,709

118 changing the formula used for annual State land distribution
Yes 674,026
No 680,361

119 Military land exchanges
Yes 856,988
No 530,122

120 State sovereignty referendum
Yes 451,242
No 938,695

121 No choice open elections
Yes 471,906
No 966,069

204 State sales tax increase
Yes 532,728
No 986,376

Chance of rain/snow this weekend

The long-range forecast of the National Weather Service shows a possibility of rain on Friday with snow possible around 6800 feet. Snow is possible on Saturday with clear skies returning on Veterans Day.

Winds will pick up Thursday on the Mogollon Rim with a 10-percent chance of rain. Friday will be very windy with rain and snow showers. The winds will drop to breezy Friday with a 50-percent chance of snow, 40-percent chance of snow on Saturday and 20-percent Sunday.

Candidates for November 6th election.

FLAGSTAFF—You might be aware through the negative ad campaigns that Barrack Hussein Obama is defending his office against Republican challenger Mitt Romney, Ann Kirkpatrick is trying to get back into office despite the efforts of Jonathan Paton, and Jeff Flake is trying to stave off Richard Carmona. You may not know about the two Independent candidates for U.S. Senator who might actually be the best choice since there are no negative ad campaigns against them.

On the county level you have very little choice even though Proposition 121 — the no choice initiative — has yet to pass. In the county supervisor race for District 1, Democrat Art Babbot will face Change Status Quo challenger Gail Dent. Incumbent Matt Ryan will defend his county supervisor seat against Independent Jack Darum of Flagstaff in District 3.

Democratic Patty Hansen is facing off with Independent Troy Troutman of Parks for the office of County Recorder.

For Judge of Superior Court for Division 5, Cathleen Nichols is running against Republican Gary Robbins. There is also a list of judges up for retention.

All other candidates for county office are running unopposed.

Write-in candidates for the November 6th election include presidential electors, two Independents for Senator and one candidate for council member of the Town of Tusayan—Robert Evans. The two Independents running as write-in for U.A. Senator are Don Manspeaker and Steven Watts.

The full text of countywide propositions and questions can be found here.

Today is the last day to request early ballot.

FLAGSTAFF—If you are not hunting U.N. election monitors and wish to get your ballot early, today is the last day to request an early ballot for the November 6 election. You can call the Elections Office at 928-679-7860 or toll-free 800-793-6181.

Voters are reminded NOT to use Sharpie-type or other markers that bleed through the ballot. A regular black pen is recommended. The ballot may otherwise be rejected.

If you do not contact the office by today, you will be required to go to the polls to vote.

The official list of write-in candidates for the election in PDF can be found here.

FOREIGN COMPANY BUYS U.S. ELECTION RESULTS REPORTING FIRM

By Bev Harris
http://www.blackboxvoting.org

In a major step towards global centralization of election processes, the world’s dominant Internet voting company has purchased the USA’s dominant election results reporting company.

When you view your local or state election results on the Internet, on portals which often appear to be owned by the county elections division, in over 525 US jurisdictions you are actually redirected to a private corporate site controlled by SOE software, which operates under the name ClarityElections.com.

The good news is that this firm promptly reports precinct-level detail in downloadable spreadsheet format. As reported by BlackBoxVoting.org in 2008, the bad news is that this centralizes one middleman access point for over 525 jurisdictions in AL, AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, KY, MI, KS, IL, IN, NC, NM, MN, NY, SC, TX, UT, WA. And growing.

As local election results funnel through SOE’s servers (typically before they reach the public elsewhere), those who run the computer servers for SOE essentially get “first look” at results and the ability to immediately and privately examine vote details throughout the USA.

Read more at Blackbox Voting and Drudge Report

Assessor’s Office announces reclassification of residential property

Pursuant to House Bill 2001(Primary and Secondary residences), the Assessor’s office mailed the Notice of Reclassification of Residential Property on September 28, 2012.  This notice was sent to taxpayers notifying them of their legal class based on information previously provided by the taxpayers in the First and Final Notice of Classification. Please visit the Assessor’s website for more information. Click here for information regarding the 2012 Legal Class Verification Process.

If you received a Notice of Reclassification and disagree with the reclassification you have 30 days from the mail date listed on the form to appeal with the Clerk of Board.  For information regarding the appeals process and to download the Property Tax Classification Appeal form please visit the Clerk of the Board’s website at http://www.coconino.az.gov/clerk.aspx?id=11020.

Condors to be released Saturday at Vermilion Cliffs

VERMILION CLIFFS, Ariz.––Three condors will be released to the wild in the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in northern Arizona at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 29. The public is welcome to observe the release from a viewing area where spotting scopes will be set up and experts will be available to answer questions.

From Page or Flagstaff take 89a and turn north on to Arizona road 1065 and continue about 3-miles. It is recommended that you bring sunscreen, water, snack and binoculars or a scope.