I would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful people of Prescott for the trust you have placed in me to serve as your mayor. That trust brings with it a great responsibility to care for our community’s best interests. I am also grateful to the many people who have supported me and provided encouragement along the way; I look forward to their continued support of the city as we grapple with the financial and quality of life challenges we face.
I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the many people who make things happen in this city: our department directors, dedicated employees, elected and appointed officials, and each of the volunteers who work diligently, mostly behind the scenes, to make Prescott the great place it is. It is truly humbling to witness the selfless service that is so freely given in this community without which it would be impossible to provide all that is needed.
As mayor, my primary focus will be to pursue economic development, including adding and improving jobs, and strengthening the business environment. First, our airport needs new commercial air service, which will help attract businesses for the airport industrial park. Secondly, the city is well situated to benefit from a biomass industry. Our forests are overgrown and unhealthy, and must be thinned to improve groundwater recharge, and reduce susceptibility to wildfires. Additionally, a downtown hotel/convention center is vital to our city’s future. Additionally, many visitors indicate a desire to stay on the plaza to enjoy our attractions and western heritage. Finally, we have skilled labor development resources that graduate enthusiastic students with advanced knowledge and capabilities: the Joint Technical Education District (JTED), the Yavapai College Career & Technical Education Center (CTEC), and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU). Many of these students desire to remain here and work in Prescott, but are unable to find jobs matching their technical skills. Efforts are underway with the Greater Prescott Regional Economic Partnership (GPREP) to seek and bring businesses here to provide jobs for these students.
Other goals ahead include working with the Arizona State Legislature to develop a sustainable solution for dealing with the city’s unfunded obligations to the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS), ensuring proper care for individuals in recovery from substance abuse, and long-range planning to assure a water supply sufficient for the future. This last objective includes meeting our contractual obligations to the Town of Prescott Valley, the requirements of the Arizona Department of Water Resources, and Salt River Project to ensure the headwaters of the Verde River are not adversely affected.
As always, the decisions we make now in partnership with the Prescott community and our neighbors will shape the future of our community, and ensure success in balancing sustainable growth with City infrastructure, services, and amenities. Many of the items mentioned above will be expanded upon in greater detail in future articles for this publication. QCBN
By Harry Oberg
Harry Oberg is the mayor of Prescott. If you have questions, concerns or suggestions, contact him at 928-777-1380, or at harry.oberg@prescott-az.gov
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