McHood Park boating regulations seen as working

McHood Park boating regulations seen as working

In its meeting July 11 the City Council heard a report that boaters in McHood Park were working with the city to keep the park safe. Director of Development Services John Roche met with representatives of the speed boat and personal water craft boaters and they agreed on implementation of safety regulation for the park. Since that meeting there have been no negative responses from the Park Ranger.

It was also noted that McHood Park is in much better condition this summer. The limited hours and the presence of the Park Ranger make it up-graded and protected better than ever. It was suggested that there might be a re-Grand Opening Party to celebrate.

Interim Police Chief

The council appointed Lt. Steve Garnett as Interim Chief of Police for the period between the resignation of Chief Ray Sands and the interviewing and hiring of a new chief. Garnett acted as the interim chief before Ray Sands was hired four years ago.

City Administrator Don McDaniel told the council that Garnett was his choice. The council vote was unanimous among the members present.

McDaniel said in an interview that both Garnett and Lt. V. John Martin were willing to accept the interim position and both indicated they were willing to work with the other one should he be appointed. They both explained that they worked as a team.

If neither one of the lieutenants were willing to accept the position, McDaniel said he would have looked for an interim chief among the sergeants. He said that he did not consider looking outside the department, although both the Navajo County Sheriff's Office and the Arizona Department of Public Safety can be tapped by local police units for leadership when needed. Ray Sands had also said that he felt there was a leadership pool already in Winslow.

City cleanup

Dee Rodriguez brought up the matter of city clean-up. She said, "I want to see some plans and some programs."

McDaniel said that there was a need for city staff to have the support of the community and council members. A plan was needed, and it should be widely announced so that people would not feel picked on.

It was noted that the visitor's Center was becoming a new center of problems for clean-up. Centennial Park was better when it gets constant attention. The East End ramadas need new toilets, and these are still on the planning boards for ADOT.

George Stegmeir told the council that more attention needs to be paid to the east end of town, because the only remaining source of liquor in the early morning is at Freddies on East Third. "I will supply film and take pictures," Stegmeir said.

Councilmember Robert Beamish said that plans for attention need to be may on the basis of the "solar day."

In other business:

Mayor Jim Boles announced that Fran McHugh of Public Housing had been named "Director of the Year" by Arizona. Boles also presented retiring Police Chief Ray Sands with a plaque. Sands said that he and his wife Lupe were reluctant to leave. "Winslow grows on you," Sands said.

Citizens for the Improvement of Winslow had concerns presented by their president, Judy Howell. They said that some politicians were placing their signs too early. They also had a continuing concern with the increase in city fees for trash, water and sewer as a hardship for those on fixed incomes. The group also questioned the change of management at the airport, which is currently being negotiated.

Troy McReynolds presented the concerns of the residents of Winslow Plaza about the connection between Bales and Third. John Roche said that the city needed the easement to run pipes and had no intention at this time of paving a street. McReynolds said that the Plaza residents needed more information about plans for streets in their area. Beamish suggested putting up a barrie, and Roche said that this had been tried at one point, but might be tried again.

The council made an agreement with La Familia as the fiscal agent for the Skateboard Park for $39,000 this year for construction of the park. It will be city property.

They authorized the negotiations for a fixed base operator at the airport to begin with Native Air. Boles said, "This is not giving away the airport...it may be a more efficient way to operate the airport."

Dee Rodriguez left her seat on the dais to comment on the many people who had helped for the Fourth of July celebrations at the Park and later at the stadium. She said this was the best she had seen.

Her thanks included: Adobe Inn, Adrianne Sanchez, Anasazi Hair Design, Arby's, As You Like It, Attitudes by Tina, Bashas', BoJo's, Brown Mug, Captain Tony's, Checker Auto, China Inn, City of Winslow, County Printers, County Supervisor Tommy "Tee" Thompson and wife Sandi, Dairy Queen, Darrel's Root Beer Stand, Denny's, Dominique's, Dos Amigos, Dr. Greg Hackler, Entre, Falcon Restaurant, Fire Dept and emergency crew, Flying J Country Market, Good Will, H & H Auto Car Quest, Hillside Taco Stand, Just Cruis'n Car Club, K.J. Hair Co., KINO Radio, La Posada, Lance Entertainment, Linda Samson, Napa Auto Supply, Native American Air Service, Navajo County Health Dept., Nick, Sharon, Meghan and Desmond, Old Trails Museum, Park crew, Pat Bailon, Payless, Pilot, Pizza Hut, Police Dept., Rainbo Bread, Recreation Dept., Reminder crew, Roadworks, Royce and Rhonda Greer, Ryan (Buddy) Marcie, Safeway, Santa Fe Golf, Sherri Lancaster, Sonic, Street Dept, Subway, Sue's Place, Timeless Treasures, Video City, Wal Mart, Wild Styles, Winslow Elks, Winslow Jaycee's flower shack and The Winslow Mail.

She also thanked: My Mom Moley Guevara, my daughter Athena McClay, my best friend and husband Roman Rodriguez. And for the best helpers ever, Melissa Calderon and Selina Bollin, and Chris Mobley and the ladies who helped with the games. Thanks to you all for a wonderful Fourth from Dee Rodriguez and the kids of Winslow. We never could have done it without you all

He's a great-grandfather in great shape. Kenn Kemper left Chicago April 30 with an escort of police and media and rides 60 miles a day along Route 66 for Kids Across America.

Kids Across America is out of Branson, Missouri and takes needy young people all over the United States and gives them a 10 day vacation in the Branson area. Kemper is not raising money, however, He is giving away videos and Bibles as he goes. He is followed y a motor home (on loan) and he did intensive training for this ride, losing about 50 lbs. as he toughened up for the journey. He rides a bike donated by Lee Iococa that will be sold at auction in Los Angeles at the end of the ride.

Kemper is a VA minister from Phoenix and his main purpose in this ride is to collect stories along the way for a "unique, uplifting novel of the folks who inhabit the iconic Route 66."

The novel is the story of people coming by wagon train, then dirt road and ends with the long-haul drivers of today. The novel is planned as a family saga, weaving in the many great stories Kemper has learned along the road. One of them, he told with a gleam in his eye, was about Will Rogers who spotted a young man singing in a cafÈ spot along the road and gave him his card. The young man was Gene Autry.

Kemper says he will be back in Winslow to do more research for the book.

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