Candidates Address Priorities For Upcoming Holbrook Elections

Early voting is already underway, and the last day to submit an early ballot in person at city hall is Friday, March 6. Polling on election day will take place at city hall.

The Tribune-News invited all of the candidates to submit a written statement including their election platform and a brief personal history.

Tim Dixon

Hello, my name is Tim Dixon and I am a ‘write-in’ candidate for the Holbrook City Council.

Originally from Tucson, I came to the area with my dad in Taylor. I attended Snowflake High School in the early ‘80s. After high school I joined the United States Navy where I served aboard the USS Peleliu where I built aircraft bombs and rockets and loaded them on the bellies of AV-8A Harrier attack jets and Cobra attack helicopters.

After four years in the Navy, I decided to go back home to pursue a career in law enforcement. After graduating from the police academy in 1987 I served the communities of Snowflake and Taylor for four years before coming to serve Holbrook in 1991.

My work with the Holbrook Police Department was rewarding and fulfilling. It was the people of Holbrook that I served for more than 21 years that made working here so wonderful. I retired from the Holbrook Police Department in 2013 and now serve as a bus driver for the Holbrook Unified School District.

I now have the opportunity to serve in the capacity of city council member. If I am elected to this position I will strive to make Holbrook a better, more beautiful place and to create an atmosphere that attracts family friendly businesses to the city. I also want to be proactive and forward looking for the future of Holbrook and make sure that Holbrook thrives for many generations.

I will strive to make sure that Holbrook is an attractive place for businesses and families to move to. I will also support laws that protect our children.

I have served the public most of my adult life and want to continue to give back to my community.

David Newlin

Jobs are a fundamental need in Holbrook. Coordination and unity for a comprehensive economic development program are essential. A primary focus on tourism and greater emphasis on Holbrook as the gateway to the Petrified Forest National Park. Better housing, increased population, stronger schools and more local retail options will be the result. Local government leadership, coordination and support are critical to promote our community. Many other benefits will follow.

David M. Newlin is a fourth generation Arizonan. He was raised in Tucson and has been a resident of Holbrook since 2004. His wife, Judy is a retired registered nurse. They are raising two grandchildren who attend Holbrook public schools.

He graduated from San Manuel High School and the University of Arizona and has done graduate work at Brigham Young University and Northern Arizona University. He is a US Army veteran and has served as the manager for Duncan, Clifton and Holbrook, Arizona. He has been the Business Manager and Watershed Projects Director for the Little Colorado River RC&D since 2007.

Francie Payne

I was born and raised in Ottawa, Kan., graduating from Ottawa High School in 1967. I attended the University of Kansas for a year, and received my Bachelor of Arts degree from Ottawa University in 1971.

I have spent most of my adult life working for newspapers in Kansas, Colorado and Arizona, including The Ottawa Times, The Emporia Gazette, the Rocky Mountain News, the Gunnison Country Times and just completed my 30th year as editor of The Tribune-News.

I chose to run for city council to help continue the work of the current council. Through their efforts, and the efforts of the city administration and staff, the city’s savings account continues to grow, more streets have been paved in the past few years than in the past few decades, the city’s water system and the accompanying equipment have been brought up to date, and our recreation facilities have been improved and expanded.

Regarding economic development, every city, county and state in the nation is looking for new business. The city receives referrals from the Arizona Department of Commerce and Arizona Public Service Co., and the city staff does a good job of working with these clients to provide any further information or assistance they may require. I believe the best action the city can take to draw new business is to continue to improve the infrastructure and work to improve the quality of life. Citizens can also help draw new business by offering newcomers a positive attitude and any information they seek, and by investing in the community themselves if they have the available funds.

I would appreciate your vote, as well as your vote for Home Rule.

Bobby Tyler

Hello neighbors, being raised one of six children my parents strongly believed in all of us, despite the challenges we faced. Don C. Sr. and Johnnie Mae Tyler never stopped encouraging my siblings and I to “have a life filled with opportunities and options.” My parents taught us with hard work and the right attitude you can accomplish your goals.

After a 33-year career in the power industry, as well as serving the community as a member of the Holbrook Volunteer Fire Department, the Holbrook Volunteer Police program, and proudly spending the last four years as your councilman. As councilman I have been attending state and local events, and am committed to building and strengthen the partnerships of the city to ensure a better life for citizens of Holbrook.

Holbrook is the city I was raised in and spent the majority of my life. I have a vision and passion for this city that is unmatched, but I cannot make changes without your help. Trying to stay informed and work with the citizens of Holbrook has and will always be a priority to me. After all, it’s not my city, it’s not your city, it’s our city. There are big challenges facing our community with the possible loss of jobs. Let’s stand together and support our local businesses. Be friendly to visitors; tell travelers about attractions and the benefits of staying one more night. Continue to support the improvement to our schools, our roads, our parks, and even getting activities for our kids and family.

Let’s work together to achieve these goals. There are opportunities for improvement in all neighborhoods. Let’s ensure that our kids can walk the street safely. Let us show that we, the citizens of Holbrook, provide the best experience when you visit our city.

C.J. Wischmann

My name is C.J. Wischmann, and I am running for Holbrook City Council. I have always enjoyed living in Holbrook, and now that I’m semi-retired, I would like to assist my hometown in remaining a great place to live. I feel that by sitting on the council that I can give back to my community by listening to the public’s problems and working with other council members in deciding the best course of action for the continuing growth of our town. Over the years as a supervisor, I have learned the importance of listening. In the position of council member, I will make sure to pay close attention to the requests of the people and vote according to what would best work for Holbrook’s future. I thank you ahead of time for taking the time to vote, and I truly feel that a vote for me would be in the best interest of our community.

Most of my younger years have been spent in Holbrook. I spent 14 months in Vietnam and Cambodia in the U.S Army. After returning home, I attended NAU where I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology with emphasis in Criminal Justice.

After graduating, I moved my family back to Holbrook where I have spent the last 36 years. I was employed as a Navajo County detention officer and supervisor, as a school resource and DARE officer for the City of Holbrook, and over 25 years as an investigator and supervisor with the State of Arizona with Child Protective Services.