Ballard And Jones Are Honored For Their Service To Snowflake

He supported the community in just about every way possible, serving as president of the Northland Pioneer College Foundation, chairman of the Apache and Navajo Counties Mayors and Council Members Association for five years, vice president of the Northern Arizona Council of Governments, and a member of the Arizona Municipal Tax Commission, Navajo County Drug Project and the Snowflake-Taylor Community Values Committee. He also attended all community activities.

Mayor Kelly Willis recognized Ballard for his outstanding and dedicated service, and read a letter he received from Show Low City Mayor Rick Fernau that in part recognized Ballard for his “outstanding and dedicated service to the Town of Snowflake and to our region as a whole. Your commitment to our region’s betterment is evidenced by the responsibilities you willingly shouldered in your many years of public service. We will miss your leadership, your sense of humor, your professionalism and your sense of fairness.”

Navajo County Supervisor J.R. DeSpain was on hand to present Ballard with a gift and a plaque to thank him for his “investment of time to the citizens of Navajo County, your professional leadership and hard work are greatly appreciated.”

DeSpain, who became acquainted with Ballard in the 1960s as a child visiting his grandmother, said, “We followed each other through the committees. I enjoyed you, I enjoyed your enthusiasm for the community and the county. You were always there for Snowflake.”

“I think that’s a great tribute to you, Kerry, and I agree with that whole-heartedly,” said Mayor Willis. “He has been a great ambassador for the Town of Snowflake. In my opinion there has been none better. Everybody knows Kerry.”

Ballard and then Councilman Charlie Hendrickson met with Paul Watson to encourage him to apply for the town manager job in Snowflake.

“When I quizzed them on the town, everything was very positive, no negative, nothing negative going on,” said Watson kiddingly. “I do owe him a debt of gratitude.”

Watson then rewarded Ballard for his kindness, taking one of his most precious and prized possessions and giving it to him, counseling him to “take it and wear it proudly.” Thinking it was a Blue Ridge cap, Ballard opened the package carefully, but it was a Lobo hat.

“Tonight you’re going to hear the last will and testament of me, at least the testament,” said Ballard.

“My service didn’t begin when I got on the council,” he said, explaining that for many years his dad and three uncles had served on the Snowflake Fire Department and when one uncle passed away, Kerry took that fourth Ballard spot where he served for many years.

In 1995, Ray Caldwell encouraged Ballard to run for council. He did and was elected.

“When I got on (the council) the big issue back then was zoning, and the slogan was ‘Freedom yes–zoning no.’ They finally put up a map and let people put the type of zoning they would like on their property. It’s come a long way since back then,” said Ballard.

In 1999, he served two terms as mayor, taking Snowflake through the Y2K scare. Ballard spoke of the major projects in Snowflake, with the first being the sewer plant that they built to take double the needed capacity. They remodeled the court building and built the post office, and neither project cost the town because of the rent they receive. With the help of Dean Porter, the streetlights were purchased, painted and have been an asset to the town.

“The school wanted to fill in the pool and didn’t want the academy building, so we bought all that,” said Ballard. “We’ve had a lot of projects over the years.

He spoke of how the Snowflake LDS temple helped the growth of the town, and the council put in Frontier Drive and they all worked on the water fountain.

They went through a sad time where they had a divided council. At one time they had three newspapers and council meetings were broadcast on Channel 4 in Show Low.

“I have three scrapbooks full of papers,” said Ballard.

“I’m going to take my rocking chair home, sit down, have two kids, one on each knee and watch soaps,” said Ballard. To those who will be up for re-election, he counseled, “When you win you’re very proud, when you lose you’re very humble, just like me.”

“In 16 years Kerry had about 3,555 free meals, according to my calculations, and at every one of those he was first, but it doesn’t come close to the estimate of 16,500 pictures,” said Mayor Willis. “I guess this is kind of an end of an era. It’s going to be hard to look down there and not see Kerry and not hear Kerry’s voice.”

She expressed appreciation to all Ballard had done for the town.

Jones, who has been employed by the Town of Snowflake for 36 years, was honored on his retirement.

He will be remembered for his dedication to the town, his friendliness and his willingness to always help others.

Jones recalled that he was hired by Spud Stratton, who said it would only be for three months.

“It has been a real pleasure working for the town,” said Jones.

Ballard noted that Jones always put up the flag at town hall, and every holiday he would be cleaning out the cups and put up the flags along Main Street and then take them down.

Mayor Willis said after he was gone they would realize the many things that Jones did for the town.

“You know all those extra things we’ll notice in the future? We’re already noticing them,” said Town Clerk Barbara Flake.

Clarke Jones (left) was honored last week for 36 years of service with the Town of Snowflake. He will retire at the end of May. Kerry Ballard (right) was honored for 16 years of service on the Snowflake Town Council. Both received a rocking chair from the town.

Navajo County Supervisor J.R. DeSpain (left) honored Kerry Ballard’s 16 years on the Snowflake Town Council, as well as his service to Navajo County.