Category Archives: City

Labor day weekend ends with the annual Mountain Man Run

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Runners complete the annual 10- and 5-K Mountain Man Run

Runners complete the annual 10- and 5-K Mountain Man Run

WILLIAMS – The Labor Day weekend in Williams ends in the annual Route 66 Mountain Man Run to benefit the charities of the Williams Lions Club. As of this writing, officials have not yet canvased the results to declare any winners. There were still times yet to be counted.
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A sign at the Williams Aquatic Center declared the sad news that the center is closed for the season. One thing that will remain after the Labor Day weekend is the Kiwanis Route 66 Street Market on the west end of town across from Williams Memorial Park.
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The Street Market, which benefits scholarships for kids in Williams, runs generally into early October depending on how much it is used. Over the summer, the number of vendors has grown considerably and it appears to be worth taking a look.

Williams holds annual Labor day weekend events

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American Legion Cordova Post #13 color guard.

American Legion Cordova Post #13 color guard.

WILLIAMS – The annual Labor day parade was lead, as usual, by the American Legion Cordova Post #13 color guard and the playing of the National Anthem. The parade was smaller than usual, but still provided entertainment for an energetic crowd. The Bill Williams Mountain Men were joined by Elvis for the event.

There was a sky viewing by the Coconino Astronomical Society of Friday. Unfortunately today marked the end of the season for the Williams Aquatic Center with a free swim and aloha party.

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California Man dies in Motorcycle Accident

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FLAGSTAFF – A motorcycle collision that occurred Friday, August 29, 2014 at approximately 9:50 am on Lake Mary Road at Mile Post 327, east of the Flagstaff city limits claimed the life of 60 year old Glenn Gelman of Yorbalinda, California.

Dispatchers of the Flagstaff/Coconino County Regional 911 center received the call at 9:59 am. Deputies and detectives were dispatched to the scene and determined that for an unknown reason Mr. Gelman was driving his motorcycle west on Lake Mary Road when he lost control of his vehicle causing it to leave the roadway on the north side. The vehicle traveled a short distance and then flipped end over end at least once, possibly twice. According to witnesses following Mr. Gelman his speed was approximately 50 miles per hour and investigators did not find any evidence of sudden brake application. He was pronounced deceased at the scene of the collision.

At this stage in the investigation deputies have determined that Mr. Gelman was riding with a large group of other motorcycle enthusiasts who were participating in a cross country tour from Mexico to Canada called the SCMA Classic Three Flags. Prior to the collision while the tour group was stopped in Payson the victim told one of the other participants that he was not feeling well and felt tired and fatigued. Investigators are considering the possibility that Mr. Gelman suffered a medical emergency causing him to lose control of his motorcycle.

This investigation is being continued by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Who needs a car show?

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1956 Chevrolet Bel Air visits Williams.

1956 Chevrolet Bel Air visits Williams.

800px-140827-10WILLIAMS – One thing about having the “Mother road” as your main street is that sooner or later you see one classic or another passing through. This evening we had a visit by an Idaho resident with the popular 1956 Bel Air model by Chevrolet. Last week we had a road show of Corvettes.

With or without a car show, you are bound to see some cool cars along Route 66 in Williams.

Yavapai County Primary Election night reporting delay

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Arizona-electsPRESCOTT – During Primary Election Night Reporting, Yavapai County, working with new election equipment, experienced technical difficulties properly exporting the results file out of its system. Yavapai County worked throughout the night and exported a results file at approximately 5:40 a.m. Once Yavapai exported the file, that data was successfully uploaded into the state election night reporting system without difficulty. It does not appear to significantly change the results of the primary.

A press release from Leslie M. Hoffman, Yavapai County Recorder, stated:

The elections results for the Primary Election of August 26, 2014 were accurately tabulated, published on the Yavapai County website, and reported to the Arizona Secretary of State. There was a delay in reporting election data to the Secretary of State due to a communication issue that slowed the export of the data to the Secretary of State. The new Unisyn Voting Solutions’ equipment installed by Yavapai County pursuant to ARS 16-442(F) performed as designed. The new equipment is certified by the U.S. Elections Assistance Commission and used in multiple jurisdictions across the country. The vote tabulations were accurate and posted on the County website beginning at 9:30PM and the election data uploaded to the Secretary of State by 6:00AM. The Elections Department is working closely with Unisyn Voting Solutions to resolve the communication issue that created the delay.

The office of the Secretary of State stated in their email:

In May 2014, Yavapai County approved this election equipment for experimental use pursuant to A.R.S. 16-442(F). Since the Secretary of State’s Office certifies an end-to-end voting system, the system as configured in Yavapai County was not certified by the State. This new election system, Unisyn OpenElect, is only used in Yavapai County.

A.R.S. 16-442 referenced provides:

The secretary of state or the governing body may provide for the experimental use of a voting system or device without a final adoption thereof, and its use at the election is as valid as if the machines had been permanently adopted.

Unisyn OpenElect voting systems is part of International Lottery & Totalizator Systems corporation which makes online wagering systems for horse racing and lottery systems. According to the company website, Berjaya Lottery Management (HK) Ltd. in Wan Chai, Hong Kong has become their major shareholder. The Unisyn OpenElect voting system was approved for use by the Election Assistance Commission in 2005.

It appears that the voting problem is not a significant factor in the CD-1 race between Andy Tobin and Gary Kiehne, despite television news reports.

What is a factor are the votes yet to be tabulated. According to a press release by the Secretary of State there are still votes yet to be tabulated in Coconino and Yavapai Counties. There are still 2,596 early and 984 provisional ballots yet to be tallied in Coconino. There are 1,894 early and 507 provisional ballots remaining in Yavapai. Only 470 votes separate Tobin from opponent Kiehne.

The current results are not official as the canvasing process is not over. Counties have five-days until the close of business Wednesday, September 3 to verify and process the remaining ballots. A state canvas to certify the election results for national, State and legislative races is scheduled for September 8.

Yavapai County election officials did not respond to a phone call for an interview, but did issue a press release through the office of the Secretary of State.

Overnight dirt haul on SR 89 between Prescott and Chino Valley continues

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adot-logo-03aPRESCOTT – Traffic on State Route 89 between Prescott and Chino Valley (mileposts 320 to 325) will be required to stop intermittently, weather permitting, for the next four weeks to allow trucks to safely cross the highway.

The hauling operation will continue tonight, Aug. 27 and continue through Tuesday, Sept. 30. Overnight work hours are 7 p.m. through 5 a.m. each night and intermittent closures are expected for dirt hauling and removal and relocation of temporary concrete barrier along the roadway.

Drivers can expect delays of up to 10 minutes at a time.

The work zone will be clearly marked by temporary barricades and signage. ADOT advises drivers to allow additional time to reach their destinations and to proceed through the work zone with caution, comply with the reduced speed limit, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

Primary 2014 done deal. For the most part.

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Arizona-electsSTATEWIDE – Republicans have selected Doug Ducey to represent them in the governors race. John Huppenthal will no longer be the Superintendent of Public Instruction. It appears that Tom Horne has lost his race to Mark Bronovich. Tom Forese and Doug Little will probably be the the Republican candidates for Arizona Corporation Commission.

Michele Reagan will face former Attorney General Terry Goddard for the position of Secretary of State in the General Election.

In Coconino County elections voter turnout matched the predicted 25% with 25.72% of voters turning out to vote. As of 10:25 70 of 71 precints in the county reported.

Coconino County voted for Andy Tobin to represent them with 2,880 votes to 1986 votes for Gary Kiehne with 68 of 71 precincts reporting. Adam Kwasman received 1,308 of the 6,218 votes counted. Throughout the rest of the Congressional District 1, however, the numbers change drastically. As of this writing, the only race left is for Congressional District 1 where 14 votes separate Andy Tobin and Gary Kiehne. with 125 precints yet to report. This is basically the only race that has not been called.

Coconino selected Doug Ducey with Christine Jones coming in second by 2,262 to 1,555 votes respectively. Scott Smith came in fourth with Ken Bennett beating him out by 33 votes for third place. Doug Ducey, of course, has already been declared the Republican Candiadate for governor statewide.

The late Senator Chester Crandell will win the nomination for Senator for Legislative District 6. However Sylvia Allen will be the candidate for the seat. Currently she runs unopposed as there are no Democrats or official write-in candidates facing her. The only opposition she would have is if a write-in files.

There is no surprise that Brenda Barton and Bob Thorpe are the Republican nominees for State Representative for LD-6, but they will be opposed by Democrat Lanny Morrison.

In Flagstaff, Celia Barotz leads the Council race with 21.33% of the vote followed by Eva Putzova with 18.03% and Jim McCarthy in third with 15.10% of the vote. Scott Overton is followed by Charlie Odegaard 12.96% to 12.20% respectively.

Sandra J. Moriarity has won over Cliff Hamilton for the Mayor of Sedona with with 407 votes to 373 votes and both precints reporting. For council Angela Lefevre leads the race with 24.8% of the vote followed by John Thompson with 18.71%. Scott Jablow took third place with 16.60% of the vote. Rio Robson took 12.48% of the vote with the rest of the candidates receiving less than 10% each.

In Tusayan Bill Fitzgerald has taken 27.74% of the vote for council member. John Rueter has 24.52% of the vote, Craig Sanderson 20.65% and Rebecca Wirth 19.35%.

Since Proposition 402 passed in Williams, John Moore is declared re-elected for Mayor with the three councilmen; Donald Dent, Bernie Hiemenz and Lee Payne.

In the race for Justice of the Peace in Williams, incumbent Robert Krombeen won 615 votes to 360 votes for contender Jeff Brownlee. The Justice of the Peace race in Flagstaff appears to have gone to Howard Grodman with 53.89% of the vote agains Warren Sanford’s 45.79% of the vote.

In Sedona, Proposition 429 passed 499 votes to 237. Proposition 401 passed in Tusayan 36 to 24 votes. Proposition 400 in the Town of Fredonia passed 86 to 36.

Traffic delays expected on SR 89A due to Coconino County Fair this weekend

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adot-logo3FLAGSTAFF – The Arizona Department of Transportation is urging motorists headed to the annual Coconino County Fair this Labor Day weekend (Aug. 29 – Sept. 1) to allow extra travel time as traffic delays are expected. The main entrance to the Fort Tuthill County Park along State Route 89A remains closed due to an ongoing improvement project and traffic is routinely backed up onto Interstate 17 and SR 89A during special events at the park.

The park’s main entrance at Fairgrounds Road, which intersects with JW Powell Boulevard and SR 89A/Beulah Boulevard, has been closed since early June while ADOT continues construction of the realignment of SR 89A and two new roundabouts at this location.

During the fair, attendees will enter and exit the fairground at two alternate locations north of Fairgrounds Road. The first location is Fort Tuthill Loop, approximately 300 yards north of the main entrance. The second location is at West Purple Sage Trail, which is slightly more than one-half mile north of the main entrance on SR 89A.

Law enforcement officers will be in the area and signage will be placed to guide fairgoers into and out of the park through the holiday weekend.

Construction started on the $6.25 million SR 89A project in May and will continue through the end of the year, until the winter shutdown takes effect. ADOT will return in spring 2015 to perform final paving, striping and sign installation at that time.

In an effort to improve traffic flow and enhance safety, ADOT is reconstructing the SR 89A/JW Powell Boulevard intersection and southbound I-17 ramp/JW Powell Boulevard intersection, both of which were built in the 1950s and do not meet today’s modern safety design standards.

Once completed, SR 89A will be realigned and a new roundabout will facilitate the movement of traffic through SR 89A and JW Powell Boulevard at the park’s entrance. A second new roundabout will aid the flow of traffic using the southbound on- and off-ramps at I-17 and JW Powell Boulevard. In addition, the project includes new bike lanes and sidewalks in the area.

For more information on the project, please visit the project Web page at azdot.gov/I17_Powell, or call 855.712.8530.

The real race in Williams

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jop-raceArizona-electsWILLIAMS – The race for Justice of the Peace in Williams is the real local race to watch. The outcome not only effects Williams, but Valle and Tusayan, as well. The Justice of the Peace is also under contract as magistrate for the City of Williams. This has been the only contentious race in the City of Williams.

Jeff Brownlee is vying for the office of Justice of the Peace from incumbent Robert Krombeen. The winner of this race will be on the ballot in November. The only opposition they are likely to face is if another contender, or the candidate failing in this primary, faces a write-in candidate.

Anyone may file as a write-in candidate to be on the ballot for any County Office they qualify for. Candidates must file by September 25th by 5 pm. Write-in candidates must also file financial reports and disclosures and whatever other paperwork is required by any other candidate.

Electors may ONLY vote for write-in candidates who have filed the proper paperwork and whose name appears on the write-in candidates list provided at all of the polling places. If an elector writes in the name of a fictitious or real person as a “protest” vote, that vote will not be counted.

A person desiring to run as a write-in for a state or national office in the General Election in November must file through the office of the Secretary of State.

Mayor and councilmen re-elected! (Probably)

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20140227 005aArizona-electsWILLIAMS – With an error rate of approximately +/-100%, our super-scientific just-like-CNN exit polling indicates that Mayor John Moore is leading the primary for re-election to the office of Mayor. Don Dent has a strong lead for one of the council seats. Bernie Hiemenz and Lee Payne, however, are running about 50% of the vote. This is based on the number of people polled.

If Williams passes Proposition 402 for Home Rule, they also pass a measure which will declare them elected without having to have their names on the ballot for the General Election. Susan Kerley, Clerk for the City of Williams, explained that this is legal since the number of candidates equals the number of seats available on the council. Since the vote for Home Rule has never failed, the aforementioned candidates will probably be considered elected after this primary without having to face a possible write-in candidate in the General.

The good news is that we will no longer have to suffer through the negative campaign ads going around. Oh, sorry. That was the governor’s race.

The other three seats will be up for grabs in two-years.