By Linda Kor During the Holbrook City Council meeting last week Chamber Director Cindy Tafoya informed the council that the chamber is working to fulfill a few of their strategic goals. “This includes revitalization and community partnerships through a recent grant we are to receive.” She explained that the chamber had applied for and was awarded a $15,000 grant from Arizona State Chamber of Commerce. The funds will be used for the Holbrook Revitalization and Recovery Project. “This will allow for business owners to apply for a non-matching grant from $500 to $1,000 to be used to help cover the costs of meeting business COVID mitigation requirements by the state and business revitalization,” explained Tafoya. Projects can include extending capacity, social distancing, ventilation, purchasing paint for street-facing facades, repairing existing business signs and starting or improving landscaping. “We will partner with the Holbrook Foundation and hope to extend this opportunity beyond the current funding.” The funds are available only to small businesses within Holbrook, with attendance at a grant workshop required. More information can be found in The Tribune, on the chamber Facebook page and on their website. Tafoya added, “I want to speak out to our community and encourage all of our friends (and) our neighbors to find a volunteer clean up group, start up their own community clean up group or join a non-profit organization. These community support efforts can only be realized by dedicated hard-working volunteers advancing those efforts. As individuals, in order to realize progress as a community is if each of us take that step forward to volunteer. If you are already a volunteer, thank you for your ongoing efforts to make a difference.” During call to the public former mayor Phil Cobb addressed the council regarding the Jan. 6 invasion of the US Capitol. “This has compelled me to make a request of the Holbrook City Council, that is to consider a resolution condemning the actions of the insurrectionists in Washington, D.C. that led to the death of a Capitol Police officer; that injured dozens of law enforcement officers and attempted the kidnapping and assassination of elected officials, and unsuccessfully tried to take over the capitol and the vote of the people. I believe that the city needs to make a statement as to what had happened.” Later in the meeting Mayor Merrill Young stated he was saddened to learn of the passing of Gilbert Gallegos, a longtime resident and the owner of the El Rancho Restaurant. He also echoed the statement made by Phil Cobb earlier. “It’s a shame to see what actions some of the people in our country take. There’s no room for the violence and it’s been going on for the past year. I myself, as the mayor of the City of Holbrook, condemn this. I do not appreciate it and I think it is totally unnecessary.” Councilman Adam Marsh encouraged residents to reach out to Navajo County Public Health to learn about how to go about signing up to receive the COVID vaccine, which is now in Phase B of distribution. Councilman Mike Nilsson noted that he had been informed of a community survey conducted by the Holbrook Foundation on social media. “I was made aware that there are hundreds of people with great concerns regarding our community. Earlier this evening I went to Bienvenidos Restaurant, the newest restaurant in Holbrook and I want to applaud the Langes for opening up a really classy, wonderful restaurant. Perhaps the best steak in northern Arizona. I think in order to change Holbrook, we should follow their example and do something positive for the community.” In his report, City Manager Ted Soltis said that he is optimistic for the New Year. “Holbrook has a great location. We have old Historic Route 66 (and are) not far from the Petrified Forest. Over the past few years property around town have been cleaned up. People are realizing the potential Holbrook holds and are investing here. A number of businesses have sold and have new owners. I believe this positive trend that has started in our community will continue.” He noted that the city is working with individuals who have big plans for investing in Holbrook and in the surrounding area. “City staff have been going the extra mile by providing assistance to these new partners. In the New Year we will continue to look to clean up Holbrook, be business friendly, provide an efficient, effective and sustainable service delivery and keeping Holbrook a safe place to live.” The council also unanimously approved a resolution regarding the implementation agreement between Navajo County and the City of Holbrook concerning One Arizona Opioid Settlement Memorandum of Understanding.