“I want to be a catalyst for positive change,” she said.
Managed economic development is important, she says, because that determines quality of life. “We need development, but not at any cost. We need to encourage small businesses rather than chains.”
An economic development team is needed to work on planned and managed development, she says, and bring national awareness to the industrial park at the airport. “We need responsible business promotion. We have a vibrant business community that is unique, especially with our downtown.”
Noting that Prescott is the economic driver for Yavapai County, she adds that finding more affordable housing for the workforce remains important to Prescott’s future. She believes teachers want to come here to work but can’t afford a place to live.
The type of business she would oppose would be a data center because they use a lot of water and power without supplying many jobs.
The Dells, Open Space, Water
Rusing was elected in 2019 as part of the movement to Save the Dells and continues to work to protect places of natural beauty and open spaces. She said there was a disconnect back then between the council and what voters wanted. Rusing is proud that they saved 475 acres at the Dells. However, she emphasizes she is more than a one-issue elected official, as she works to improve water, roads, development and protection of land.
As soon as she is in office, she says she wants to change the town’s water policy, which she says is outdated. She says she wants to work with Chino Valley, Prescott Valley, the county and other entities to create a regional water plan that will manage water into the future. “In 2022, I worked with Mayor Phil Goode to draw up a new water policy that replaced the previous pro-growth policy,” she said. “We’re just starting out on this. Our only source of water is groundwater. We need to protect it, and we need to protect the headwaters of the Verde River,” she said. “We need conservation and water management.”
Rusing says the proposed widening of Highway 89 at The Dells is being rushed through by the current council with many unanswered questions. She said the plan lacks a cost-benefit study and she supports option 2B with modifications, meaning she wants to see the road realigned, and the roundabouts improved. Public hearings are scheduled for 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct 1, at the Centennial Center and 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 4, in Prescott City Council chambers. The council is scheduled to vote on the issue on Saturday, Nov. 8, the day before the new council will take their seats.
“It makes sense that the new council should vote on this since they are the ones that will manage it,” she said. “This has the appearance of being a done deal – and Prescott deserves better.”
Rusing said surveys and research show that open space and wildlife corridors remain important to Prescott residents She believes they also impact the economy, as ecotourism is a billion-dollar industry nationally. “Nobody wants to come to a stucco jungle,” she said, adding that the city’s guidelines show that any new development must provide 25% open space; however, she says, the way they are written needs to be improved.
Rusing supports the Glassford Dells Regional Park, which is a project between Prescott, Prescott Valley and Yavapai County. This park is in its planning stage and will take a couple of years before it becomes reality.
Rusing also wants to preserve Glassford Hill. She thanks the voters for passing Proposition 484, which protects 2,700 acres of open space in Prescott. She said protecting open space also protects water because the land cannot be developed.
The mayor-elect says Prescott’s General Plan and charter both need to be updated with public input.
Rusing graduated from Winslow High School and earned her Registered Nursing degree from the University of Arizona. She was a nurse for 10 years before managing her husband, Tom’s, general surgery practice.
Rusing is the second female mayor in Prescott’s history. The first was Geri Wagner, elected to the office in 1974. She was elected with more than 50% of the vote in the primary election and is scheduled to be sworn in Tuesday, Nov. 18, with her first meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 9. “I want to be a catalyst for positive change,” she said. QCBN
By Stan Bindell, QCBN
Photo by Stan Bindell: Prescott Mayor-elect Cathey Rusing catches up on local business news with her copy of Quad Cities Business News.
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