Local News

The sound of the bugle is calling for volunteers who enjoy military and regional history! Located at the Bob Stump Veterans Administration Center in Prescott, Ft. Whipple was constructed in 1864 as a United States Army post. The fort served as a tactical base for the United States Cavalry during the Indian Wars of 1864 to 1882, when it was also the information and entertainment center of the Prescott area. The historic structure also served as a military hospital during World War I and World War II.

Today, Ft. Whipple Museum is managed by Sharlot Hall Museum. The historic building remains in its original footprint, as do the former officers quarters nearby which are now used by VA personnel. Ft. Whipple Museum is open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The all-volunteer staff gives visitors the Fort’s historical background as they tour the first and second floors with exhibits and notable architecture. During Spring, Summer and Fall, volunteers and Museum staff also gather for the Frontier Arizona Experience, a monthly program that gives insight to what military life was like in early Prescott.

The Museum is now in need of volunteers to man Ft. Whipple and/or participate in the monthly Frontier Arizona Experience programs. If you are interested in area or military history, please call us today or come to Ft. Whipple Museum on Monday, October 21. While not open to the public that day, the Museum will be hosting a meet and greet for those interested in volunteering, beginning at 10 a.m. Please RSVP by calling 928-445-3122.

Organizers of Prescott Meals on Wheels are announcing the largest initiative the group has had yet.  The Arizona Tax Donation Campaign is underway in the Quad Cities, with big news for 2013.  It doesn’t matter whether filers itemize or not, file individually or jointly, the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit can be used to help our region’s elderly.

Prescott Meals on Wheels has been serving the community since 1973.  Last year alone the organization served 67,000 meals and 60% of the cost to provide those meals comes from private donations, grants and fundraising events. In other words, we cannot fulfill our mission without the generous support of the community.  The Prescott Meals on Wheels Tax Credit Donation Campaign is the only general solicitation the organization makes in any given year.  A successful Tax Credit campaign means we are able to continue our policy of not turning a senior, with a demonstrated need, away from the food and nutrition they need.  Currently we are serving over 300% more meals than what we are reimbursed for by the government.  Donations enable us to meet the community need with that level of commitment.

Tax credit deductions may be made up to $200 for individuals and $400 for married couples filing jointly. Please note that an educational donation is separate and does not affect the amount of this donation.  Additionally, the donation may be reported on the taxpayer’s federal form as a charitable contribution.  It’s easy to make a donation to Prescott Meals on Wheels by simply visiting our website at PrescottMealsOn Wheels.com and click on the link to donate.

QCBN readers are invited to contact Bert Ijams with questions.  Bert is executive director of Prescott Meals on Wheels.

928-445-7630

BertPMOW@cableone.net

www.PrescottMealsOnWheels.com

Meals on Wheels

The House of Representatives passed 14 bills with bipartisan support over the last 10 days to fund critical functions of the government, many of which are a matter of life and death. Yet, Senate Majority Leader Reid and President Obama still refuse to take up most of these funding bills. Below is a list of the funding bills the House has passed, all of which in favor Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) voted:

• 25 Democrats voted with Republicans to fund pediatric cancer research. (October 2)
• 23 Democrats voted with Republicans to reopen national parks, memorials, and monuments. (October 2)
• 35 Democrats voted with Republicans honoring our promise to give veterans the benefits they earned. (October 3)
• 36 Democrats voted with Republicans to pay our National Guard and Army Reserve personnel. (October 3)
• 23 Democrats voted with Republicans to make sure funds are available to provide disaster relief. (October 4)
• 22 Democrats voted with Republicans to provide critical benefits for low-income women and children. (October 4)
• 189 Democrats voted with Republicans to provide backpay for furloughed federal employees. (October 5)
• 20 Democrats voted with Republicans to ensure the food and medicine supply meets safety standards. (October 7)
• 194 Democrats voted with Republicans to immediately pay essential federal employees. (October 8)
• 23 Democrats voted with Republicans to reopen Head Start programs. (October 8)
• 197 Democrats voted with Republicans to provide death gratuities and related survivor benfits of deceased military service members. (October 9)
• 23 Democrats voted with Republicans to ensure air traffic safety. (October 9)
• 21 Democrats voted with Republicans to keep America safe. (October 10)
• 21 Democrats voted with Republicans to fund America’s national security. (October 11)

In response to President Obama and Senate Majority Leader Reid’s failure to fund these functions of government, Rep. Gosar said, “President Obama and the Senate Democrats’ are telling the American people it is ‘my way or the highway.’ That is not how a representative democracy works. I am completely baffled that the Senate won’t take up House-passed bills that provide funding for pediatric cancer research, the national guard and low-income women and children. This is not what the American people want. They want the President and Congress to come to the table and find solutions to end this slowdown.

Rep. Gosar concluded, “I will continue to vote in favor of funding bills for the entire government and ask the President and the Senate to come to the table and end this government slowdown.”

Secretary of State Ken Bennett is among the officials expected to attend the Town Hall Meeting in Yarnell Oct. 9th.

Yavapai County Supervisor Rowle Simmons has invited all Yarnell and Peeples Valley residents to a Town Hall Meeting Wednesday from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. at the Yarnell Community Presbyterian Church located at 16455 Table Top Way in Yarnell.

The agenda will include presentations from Byron Jaspers, Yavapai County Public Works; Steven Mauk, Yavapai County Development Services; Charlie Cave, Yavapai County Flood Control District; and Lieutenant Rich Martin and Sgt. Deann Ashby, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office.

Arizona Representative Karen Fann is expected to attend. Invitations have also been extended to Arizona Senator Steve Pierce, Arizona House Speaker Andy Tobin, and U.S. Representative Paul Gosar.

About Yarnell Hill Recovery Group

Exiled from their homes and divided by the closure of Highway 89, a group of 20 Yarnell and Peeples Valley residents conferred in person and by phone about how to rebuild their fire-ravaged community.

Out of that conversation, the all-volunteer Yarnell Hill Recovery Group was formed with a steering committee made up of five key leaders representing organizations that have long provided services to residents: the Yarnell-Peeples Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Yarnell Community Center, the Yarnell Community Presbyterian Church, the Fire Department and Weaver Mountains – People Who Care.

Under the direction of the steering committee, a dozen volunteer sub-committees have been formed to provide resources for everything from emergency housing and financial assistance to clean up and rebuilding. The group’s website, www.YarnellHillRecoveryGroup.org, provides a single place for residents to get news about recovery efforts and connect with services.

The group was recently recognized by Arizona and Yavapai County as the official recovery group for the Yarnell Hill Fire.

The Yarnell Community Presbyterian Church, acting as the Yarnell Hill Recovery Group’s fiscal agent, has set up an account for the Yarnell Hill Recovery Group though the National Bank of Arizona, account #76 0000 2730, Routing #122105320. There is a Pay Pal button for donations atwww.YarnellHillRecoveryGroup.org. Checks payable to Yarnell Hill Recovery Group can be sent to Yarnell Hill Recovery Group, P.O. Box 1086, Yarnell, 85362. Donations are tax-deductible.

“I can think of no more stirring symbol of man’s humanity to man than a fire engine.”  -Kurt Vonnegut

Rock and Linda Hoffman have a first-hand understanding of that quote after this year’s deadly fires. The couple is thankful their home was spared, but their lives and their appreciation for emergency services workers will never be the same.

When the Doce Fire began burning in late June, Linda anxiously drove home from work. “It looked so bad I wasn’t sure if our house was still there because the smoke was so thick. ”

Hoffman learned homeowners in the area were on standby for evacuation. She packed boxes with documents and photos and prepared for the worst.  Fortunately, their home off Williamson Valley Road was spared in the fire, which charred about 6,800 acres.

Linda Hoffman watched the stream of fire engines, hotshots, and other emergency service workers drive by en route to the fire. “I’d always wave and they would always wave back,” remembers Hoffman.

She and a neighbor joined forces to get a big banner thanking the firefighters.  The owners of Prescott’s Sir Speedy lived up to their name; they created the sign in record time so it could be displayed for emergency responders to see as they drove to fight the blaze. Unfortunately, the sign found an even more poignant home a short time later: Prescott Fire Station 19, as part of the memorial for the Granite Mountain Hotshots.

On June 30, 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew perished fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire southwest of Prescott. What became the deadliest fire in Arizona history touched people all over the world, many of whom heard the news with disbelief.

Nicole Christian was panic stricken when she got a call from her brother, a Prescott police officer. Not only did she have childhood friends who fought fire in the Prescott area, her husband also was fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire, on loan from Summit Fire, a Flagstaff-area department.  “It was panic.  My brain went blank. I was texting Nik frantically and calling him until he answered,” she said.

The days that followed, including the memorial service in Prescott Valley, were emotional for Christian and thousands of other people. “One thing we learned from this is that life is so fragile.  You have to have fun and appreciate every day you are given,” she added.

Christian’s mom, Linda Hoffman, agrees. “Everything becomes more precious.”  During the aftermath of the Hotshot deaths, she observed a change in people throughout the greater Prescott region, an attitude she attributes to people not taking other people for granted. “I think they’re more appreciative. And I notice that there are more signs up. People are stopping other people, especially firemen, and saying, ‘Thank you for everything you do.’”

While she thinks it is sad that it takes a tragedy to shake things up, Hoffman has noticed she has changed, too. “I text my children more. You never know when that time you say, ‘Have a good day’ might be the last time you get to say that.”

As rebuilding has gotten underway on some Yarnell Hill homes lost in the fire, the holes of grief surrounding the loss of 19 lives may never be filled. In different ways throughout the community and in many other communities, people whose lives were affected by this summer’s tragedy are finding their own ways to remember the Granite Mountain Hotshots’ sacrifice.

Throughout the month of October, in a seaside town more than 600 miles from the Quad Cities, hundreds of people will be paying tribute to the Granite Mountain Hotshots. A display has been created for the town of Cambria, California’s annual scarecrow festival. Two years ago, a display depicting Sept. 11 firefighters erecting a flag on a pile of rubble brought tears to the eyes of many observers. Cambria Fire Captain Steve Bitto expects a similar reaction this year.

In addition to honoring the fallen throughout October, Cambria’s Sons of the American Legion paid a tribute to the Granite Mountain Hotshots on Sept. 11.  Bitto says the loss at Yarnell Hill is affecting communities everywhere. “When something like that happens, people look at their local services and say that could happen to our local guys and gals,” added Bitto, who identifies with people in the fire service everywhere. “We are all a family, no matter where you go. And we all relate to each other and relate to when you lose somebody. It hits you down at a family level.”

Back in Arizona on the Kaibab National Forest, Technician and Fire Engineer Keith Halloran has had a similar reaction since June 30.  He has many Hotshot firefighters he calls friends and was shocked and saddened by the loss of the Granite Mountain Hotshots. “To lose a whole crew is what really affected me and a lot of the guys I worked with.”

Halloran is a division supervisor who works on Type 2 Incident Management Teams. He knows the deceased Hotshots received a very high level of training and the loss is difficult for him to fathom. “No tree is worth a life. No property should be worth a life. We should be there protecting ourselves. Trees will grow back. Homes can be rebuilt. I have been up against houses that just are not savable. And still, we try our best.” QCBN

Sidebar

In my earliest memories, my father is in uniform, looking strong and foreboding. Growing up hearing LAPD stories and wondering about the safety of my dad, I never envisioned one day marrying someone in the emergency services.  Alas, when I finally met “The One,” he was a man in a uniform: firefighter and Arizona Army National Guardsman.

During our two decades of holy matrimony, I have learned to live with new levels of fear; perhaps more accurately, I have learned to relax into uncertainty and make more room for faith. When my dear husband was deployed to Iraq in 2006 and 2007, I got to practice the skill of surrendering my fear and to share this outlook with our young daughters. I give thanks every day that my husband came home.

However, the unimaginable could still happen. Retired from the Guard, and promoted to fire captain, my spouse takes his responsibilities seriously, exerting tremendous effort in his job of keeping others safe. He belongs to a brotherhood, much bigger than our family; when I said, “I do,” my oath and his commitments became inseparable. And while this reality has settled deep in my bones over time, I say a prayer each time I hear the Firefighters’ Creed, especially its last verses.

I want to fill my calling and

To give the best in me

To guard my neighbor and

Protect his property

And if according to Your will

I have to lose my life

Bless with Your protecting hand

My children and my wife

Theresa Bierer is a journalist and former managing editor of Quad Cities Business News. Her husband has been in the fire service since 1991. 

Arizona’s Speaker of the State House is challenging Flagstaff Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick for U.S. Congress.  Kirkpatrick represents Arizona’s Congressional District One, which includes the Quad Cities region. She was elected to serve from 2009 and was challenged and unseated by Paul Gosar, a Flagstaff-based Republican.  Kirkpatrick ran again last year, when the congressional districts were redrawn, and she beat former state Senator Jonathan Paton, a Republican.

Tobin, from Paulden, Arizona in the Chino Valley area, accuses Kirkpatrick of assisting President Barack Obama in attacking liberties.  “Kirkpatrick has been an embarrassment to our state for a while, but lately she’s gone into overdrive – teaming up with Nancy Pelosi and Obama at every turn,” says Tobin in a statement.

“For this reason and others, I’ve announced my candidacy for Congress. Kirkpatrick needs to go. She doesn’t represent us.”

The Smoki Museum is pleased to present the 6^th Annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration in Prescott!  This year’s celebration includes Mariachi Lucerna, Mexico Lindo Ballet Folkloric, traditional foods, a procession into Yavapai Citizen’s Cemetery, Altar presentations and much more!!  Join us for a day filled with music, dance, margaritas, cerveza, food, and vendors like Mata Ortiz pottery, Azteca Market’s baked goods, and Dancing Skeleton.

And don’t forget to dress up!  Welcome back the dead as your very finest calavera!  The Children’s Craft Area will have lots of fun activities for the kids, while you can dance with the mariachi!

Want to do an altar (ofrenda) for your dearly departed?  Call the Smoki, extension 6211, and we will provide you with all the information for your altar.  They will be on display from October 21^st – November 1^st.

Get your dead on!  See you at Smoki on October 27^th!

General Admission:

FREE

For more information please contact Cindy Gresser at (928) 445-1230

Museum Hours: Weekdays 10am – 4pm, Sundays 1pm – 4pm.

Additional calendar events can be found at www.smokimuseum.org

 U.S. Congressman Paul Gosar, D.D.S (AZ-04) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives voted again to avoid a government shutdown, delay the Obamacare individual mandate, and promote fairness by repealing the Obamacare subsidy for Members of Congress and the President:

“The House has the power of the purse and we ought to use it wisely and positively – that starts with keeping government open, delaying Obamacare, and not allowing special exemptions for Congress or the President. House Republicans have now offered three funding bills to avoid a government shutdown and protect American families, while Democrats refuse to negotiate and insist on protecting Obamacare. The Senate Majority leader should follow the House’s lead and act to prevent a government shutdown.”

The Arizona State Forester has released the Yarnell Hill Fire Serious Accident Investigation Report, which analyzes the circumstances leading to the June 30 entrapment and deaths of 19 firefighters of the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew.  The report and accompanying documents are available athttps://sites.google.com/site/yarnellreport/.

The State of Arizona convened an accident investigation team July 3 to review the conditions and events leading to the tragedy.  The investigation team visited the site of the accident, reviewed audio and video files, interviewed individuals associated with the incident, reviewed fire weather and behavior data, and examined available records and physical evidence.  The resulting report contains the most complete information available about the accident.

“Our mission was to find out what happened and to discern the facts surrounding this tragedy to the best of our ability,” said Jim Karels, investigation team lead and the State Forester for the Florida Forest Service.  “We also hope this report facilitates learning within the wildland fire community in order to reduce the likelihood of repeating actions that contributed to the loss of life.”

The 116-page report includes a fact-based narrative of the incident and offers the investigation team’s analysis, conclusions and recommendations.  It also includes a discussion section that is meant to facilitate understanding and learning by exploring various perspectives and issues that arose during the investigation.

            “Our number one concern right now is ensuring that the families have the information and support that they need as this report is released,” said Arizona State Forester Scott Hunt.  “Beyond that, it is critical that the State of Arizona and the broader wildland fire community have the opportunity to thoroughly review the report so that we fully understand the events leading to the loss of the Granite Mountain hotshots.”

Governor Jan Brewer’s statement

            “The Yarnell Hill Fire always will be remembered for the loss of our brave 19 firefighters from the elite Granite Mountain Hotshots.  The tragic human toll felt by their families, friends and the community is truly immeasurable.  I commend the Serious Accident Investigative Team for its swift, expert work to examine and report the facts that led to the tragedy.

“I appreciate the recommendations they have made to the state with the aim to help improve wildfire safety and suppression in the future.  I hope that the findings of this nationally-recognized team of investigators will further the healing process and give guidance for wildland firefighters in Arizona and around the nation.”