By Talaina Kor During the Holbrook City Council meeting Sept. 24, the council approved the purchase of a new water booster pump. Finance Director Randy Sullivan stated one of the three booster pumps at the water booster station needs replacing with the cost being $13,093. The council also approved the purchase of a street sweeper with the lowest bid from Norwood Equipment for an Elgin Pelican P street sweeper for $233,381. Fleet Manager John Gerwitz stated that the purchase of a street sweeper will save the city money by removing the need for a company do it, which would cost $1,000 per day. Although it is not a budgeted item, it was noted that there are sufficient funds available for the purchase. The council listened to a presentation by Nicole Kester from the Navajo Crisis Response Family Advocacy Center (NCFAC) regarding the Domestic Violence Awareness Month Porch Parade. NCFAC and Navajo County Victim Services Department (NCVSD) are working together to raise awareness about domestic violence during the month of October with a porch decorating competition. Through the process of decorating porches, yards and business store fronts in the theme and symbols associated with the recovery of victims, which are butterflies the color purple, people are given the opportunity to start those tough conversations with both kids and adults in a more supportive and uniting way. In a statement provided by Kester it said, “Domestic violence is a tough topic for anyone to discuss. Most parents don’t even think to discuss it with their kids and teens. It’s important to teach our kids about dating and intimate partner violence before they find themselves in the situation.” Competition registration is free and can be done online at custardandcruise.eventbrite.com. Porches must be fully decorated by 12 noon, on Friday, Oct. 9, and remain decorated until 12 midnight Friday, Oct. 23. Judging will occur Friday, Oct. 9, through Friday, Oct. 23. For more information on domestic violence go to www.bloom365.org or ItCanStop.az.gov. For more information visit NCFAC.org and click the events tab. Following her presentation, a proclamation on Domestic Violence Awareness Month was approved by the council. The council also passed a motion to renew its Airport Engineering Services contract with Armstrong Consultants, Inc., which had reached the end of its five-year contract. Jason Musselman, the representative for Armstrong Consultants, gave an overview of what the company has done since its work with the Holbrook Municipal Airport began in 2009 and discussed future projects, such as pavement reconstruction and revenue generating possibilities include creating hangar space for leasing. Each member of the council strongly encouraged people to vote in the upcoming election. “I want to remind people it is pretty easy to register if you haven’t,” stated Vice Mayor Francie Payne, “You can pick up a registration form at the post office. You can do it online as well.” The council also offered its condolences to the family of Stanley Gallegos, the longtime resident and the owner of local restaurant Joe and Aggie’s who passed away recently.
