Forums focusing on building stronger economic and partnership linkages between Arizona and Mexico are giving participants in three Central and Northern Arizona communities a chance to express their views.
At forums in Clarkdale and Flagstaff, Arizona Town Hall President Tara Jackson said it is important that Arizona residents become aware of the many connections that link Arizona and Mexico. “As one of the recommendations made during the forum noted, the border does not divide Arizona and Mexico; it connects them and should be viewed as a bi-national region.”
Speakers also included Eric Marcus, executive director of the Sustainable Economic Development Initiative; Casey Rooney, economic development director, City of Cottonwood; Oliva Mendez, a student from Rio Salado Community College, Phoenix; and Matt Ryan, Coconino County supervisor.
The forum in Prescott is scheduled for noon to 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 28, at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Featured speakers there will include Jackson, Marcus, Rooney and Larry Tarkowski, town manager, Prescott Valley.
Sponsored by Arizona Town Hall, community outreach programs follow up on findings and recommendations that came from the statewide Arizona Town Hall in Tucson, April 24-27. Topics include Infrastructure, Economic Opportunities; Energy, Technology and Innovation; Education, Marketing and Communication; and Individual Actions.
Facilitators are trained to lead participants through a Town Hall-style discussion. “Persons who want to can engage in civil discourse and have their voices heard,” said Jackson.
Cumulative recommendations from the three forums in Coconino and Yavapai Counties will be professionally summarized and then published on the Arizona Town Hall website. They also will be distributed to local civic and elected officials as well as to the Arizona State Legislature and the Office of the Governor.
The full list of recommendations can be read or downloaded at aztownhall.org.
Future Focus on Government Finance
Jackson says that future town halls and community outreach forums are aimed at the broad spectrum of Arizona residents.
“Our board of directors has emphasized that the Town Hall concept is that we want to engage, connect and empower people to resolve important issues through consensus, not division. We use a process that is based on respectful dialogue that values diverse perspectives, builds relationships and fosters leadership development.”
The next full Arizona Town Hall is scheduled for Nov. 13-16, at the Hilton Hotel in Mesa.
It will focus on “Financing Arizona Future.” It is expected to provide concise, yet comprehensive background materials that cover fairly the most important developments, debates and controversies about government funding and spending for critical fiscal issues such as education, the criminal justice system, roads and highways, and state service agencies.
Town Halls and Community Outreach programs are supported by several partners, including APS, the Arizona Lottery, the Agnese Nelms Haury Trust, Jennings, Strauss & Salmon PLC and Snell and Wilmer, LLP. QCBN
By Ray Newton, QCBN
Photo by Ray Newton