The City of Winslow was recently awarded money from a settlement with several corporations including Walmart and Walgreens pharmacies for their role in increasing the effects of the opioid epidemic. According to City Manager David Coolidge, the amount of money is not enough money to run a program for a city the size of Winslow. That is why the city recently approved giving the settlement money to Navajo County Public Health with the hope that the other cities around the county will also give their portion of the settlement and that pooling of monies will allow the county to put on a program that would work throughout the county to help support people affected by opioids, or for educating kids on the risks associated with such drugs. According to documents from the county, Winslow’s portion is approximately $200,000.
Navajo County Health Director Janelle Linn explained in her presentation to the council that “we have tried to tackle this issue as a criminal justice issue but as the county attorney has told me, we cannot arrest our way out of this problem.” This new program will be overseen by a committee in order to assure funds are being used effectively and appropriately.
The council also heard a presentation from Bill Ricci with Navajo County Public Health about the survey that they have. They want to stress to the public exactly how incredibly important this survey is, as it determines exactly how and where funds and attention are to be given for the next six years. They recently extended the end date to April 2 and encourage all residents to complete the 10-15 minute survey.
Council member Darcey McKee told everyone that they can bring any physical surveys to her at the Winslow branch of the county health department, located at 619 E. Third St., and she would get them to Show Low, making it even easier for residents of Winslow to have their health concerns heard by the county.
According to McKee, Winslow currently has the most surveys completed of all the towns in Navajo County which is great news since the last time residents were given this survey in 2018 Winslow was underrepresented. McKee noted “Usually with these surveys its older people who aren’t as computer literate that they hear from the least, but oddly enough the majority of surveys have been turned in from above-50 generation,” which is why they want to especially hear from the 18-year-old to 40 ages as well as families with small children because that data is still significantly under what it should be given the population.
In other business the board, in the absence of councilmembers Peter Cake, Jim MacLean and Melissa Nelson, approved an agreement with White Knuckles Baseball for use of city owned baseball fields.
The next meeting of the Winslow City Council will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 14, in the meeting room, located at 523 W. Second St.
