County Supervisor Whiting shuts down repetitive comments on election fraud

Whiting told the residents the reason is because call to the public is restrictive, with supervisors not allowed to respond to comments made during call to the public. Whiting urged those with concerns to speak to staff on the subject in order to have a better conversation and to not congest the supervisor’s meeting with redundant talking points.

Despite the intentions for structured dialogue, the meeting saw moments of tension. One resident, Teena Parham was interrupted for not providing new insights, when she disagreed with Whiting the audience began to applaud in support of her, which prompted Whiting to tell the audience that if they were to do that again he would move them to another room to watch the meeting on a monitor. Following that statement a woman only identified as Melinda angrily approached the podium and openly called Whiting a disgrace for cutting short the public’s time to speak, which resulted in her being removed from the chambers by law enforcement.

The county has taken steps to address these election-related complaints comprehensively. Ahead of the meeting, County Manager Brian Layton and Elections Director Rayleen Richards were tasked with investigating these concerns. Layton’s report at the last Board of Supervisors meeting highlighted the absence of any substantial fraudulent activities in recent elections, detailing the rigorous security protocols in place, such as the non-internet-connected voting machines and meticulous ballot transport and tallying procedures. He also covered the prohibitive costs and logistical challenges that would arise from hand-counting all ballots, reaffirming the county’s commitment to following state laws regarding electoral processes.

Layton also discussed that the county does not have the authority to ban mail-in ballots; that those processes are decided upon at the state level. Call to the public is often limited to comments that fall under the legal authority of that body and this issue is out of their hands.

Later in the meeting, several individuals were acknowledged for their contributions and achievements. Kaleb Porter of Mogollon was celebrated as the Division 4, 132-pound weight class wrestling state champion, alongside the Mogollon boys wrestling team, which were recognized as Division 4 State Champions.

Troy Kinlicheenie and Devin Kinlicheenie from Snowflake were honored as the Division 3, 138-pound and 215-pound wrestling champions respectively, with Joseph Rodriguez from Monument Valley receiving accolades as the Division 4 126-pound state wrestling champion.

The supervisors honored Kaytlin LaDuke for receiving the Scholar All-America Award and the Character & Leadership All-America Award. These prestigious accolades, bestowed by the USMC/National Wrestling Coaches Association, celebrate Kaytlin’s exemplary achievements in both academics and wrestling. Her recognition at this board meeting underscores her significant contributions to the community through her role as a pioneering member of the Snowflake girls wrestling program. Despite an early setback due to injury, Kaytlin’s unyielding determination propelled her to a remarkable recovery, culminating in a stellar season with a 35-5 record, including 30 pins. This performance not only set a new high standard within her team but also ranked her 10th in the history of Arizona girls wrestling for the most pins in a single season.

The board also approved a proclamation setting May 12 through May 18, as “National Police Week” in Navajo County. They also recognized the retirements of Mark Searles after 12 years and Joel Johnston after 23 years of service to Navajo County, highlighting their long-standing dedication and service to the community.

In other business, the board:

*Approved requests for redemption of tax waivers.

* Approved fiscal year 2023-2024 fund transfers.

* Accepted a grant in the amount of $758,061 for public schools and public roads from the National Forest Funds Distribution.

* Approved the following forest fees to school districts: Snowflake USD received $115,859, Heber-Overgaard USD received $231,331, Show Low USD received $216,215, Blue Ridge USD received $77,540, and Navajo County Accommodation District (NCAD) received $50,000.

* Authorized acceptance of a grant from the City of Tucson to fund an employee salary and 15% of employee related expenses for a total of $126,575 for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Major Crimes Apprehension Team.

* Approved an amendment to the grant agreement with U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service for an additional $10,000 in funding and updating the program manager to Matthew N. Ryan.

* Approved a contract extension with Advent Financial Systems, LLC for one additional year for the juvenile diversion program.

* Authorized acceptance of a grant for free use of cybersecurity software valued at over $200,000.

* Appointed Sandra Johnson, Lloyd Johnson, Mike Nilsson, Dana Heck, Steven LeSueur, Shelby Magnuson Hawkins, Timothy Jordan, Donna Wastchak-Shurwin, Linda Hamilton, Daniel Spencer, Godan Lange, Carla Baker, John Major, Terry Major, Belinda Quog, Lillie Merritt, Randy Merritt, Nancy Hay, Cara Massa, Fleta Gladden, Antoinette Montandon, Steven Garcia, Michael Montandon, Lisa Green, Ken Fisk, Betsy Standage, Shannon Ayers Fisk, Teena Parham, Kelly Rael, Don Haggard, Dennis DeVincentis, Celia Laughlin, Jerry Hubbard, Diane DeVincentis, Jacquelyn Allen, Rick Burris, Joan Hubbard, Dana Mead, Richard Allen, Patricia Duran, Carl Bruning, Mary Jane Coking, Kathleen Angelos, Kristi Broderick, Keven Kazmaier, Paul Broderick, Carlie Heck, Tisha Carlisle, Michael Mariscal, Jim Vance, Debbie Vance, Warren James Williams, Adrienne Rapp, Steven Rapp, Timothy Austin Hunt, Beth Sinagra, Kevin Rowan, Sandee McKinlay, Danielle Earl, RaNae Rowles, Angela Clouse, Janell Sterner, Elizabeth Olmstead, David Clouse, Byron Lewis, Georgia Zink, Shirley Leistikow, Amy Wong, Carrie Lee, Mary Diaz, Colleen Buck, Shannon Stoffers, Dean Cooley, Donal Meyers, Julia Stoffers, Donna Larson, Timothy Hunt, Susan B. Moore, Lisa Marshall, David Marshall, Sylvia Allen, Thomas Reed, Louise Liggett, Lewis Carlassara, Stephen Shudde, Mary Beth Walker, Patricia LeSueur, Eric Molnar, Kristie Blackman, Deborah Myers, Jeff Pearce, Walter Blackman, Anne Ascoli, Roger Gorres, Mark McKinlay, Earl Strecker, Gary Olmstead, Bethany Olmstead-Wittren, Steven Wittren, Christine Etchison, Rod Campbell, Angela Campbell, Wyatt Buschschulte, Kay Christensen, Mary Faltz, Nancy Telizyn and Anthony Tangalos as Republican Precinct Committeemen for their respective precincts.

* Appointed Gloria Baum, Elizabeth Marsh, Dylan Baca, Joseph Bia, Melissa Foy, Steven Gorman-Hackstadt, Janis Newton, Dorothy Reed-Inman, Eric Kramer, Linda Hoy, James Burress, Ramona Patterson, Christina Burress, David Alexander, Marianne Richardson, Martha Kafer LaMar, Casey Lee, Larry Romo and Rosezene Vetaw as Democrat Precinct Committeemen for their respective precincts.

* Agreement with Tony Willis for professional development coaching services for directors and supervisors at the county at a cost of $44,100.

* Agreement with ESI for professional staffing services for Arizona State Retirement System retirees.

* Approved a delegation agreement that enables the Navajo County Department of Public Works Planning and Development to carry out specific environmental regulatory functions and duties under the oversight of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

* Approved environmental forms for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for the Joseph City pedestrian improvements project.

* Authorized a grant application to the FY2024 Community Policing Development on behalf of the sheriff’s department.

* Approved a memorandum of understanding between Navajo County Public Health Services District and Navajo County Fairgrounds for a temporary holding facility.

* Approved an amendment to the intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between the Arizona Department of Health Services and Navajo County Public Health Services District for the implementation and maintenance of a local overdose fatality review team.

* Approved an amendment to the IGA for COVID-19 Community Testing Expansion Projects to develop a comprehensive systemic disease investigation division within the health district and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

* Approved an amendment to the IGA, amending the budget for the HIV testing and communicable disease investigation services to the amount of $34,247 annually.

* Approved the IGA between the county and the Arizona Department of Health Services for the sharing of overdose data.

* Approved an agreement between Navajo County and The American Red Cross for limited license to use parking lots and land located in Show Low and Holbrook to park trailers of emergency supplies in the event of an emergency.

* Approved an amendment to extend the agreement with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, allowing Navajo County to issue burn permits until May 23, 2026.

* Approved an application for permanent extension of premises for the patio at Red Onion Bar & Grill, located in Overgaard.

* Approved a franchise agreement with Cactus State Utility Operating Company LLC, for the provision of water services.

* Approved an IGA with the Navajo Nation for assistance with roadway maintenance at a cost of $99,974.

* Approved the adoption of a text amendment to the Navajo County Zoning Ordinance, clarifying provisions for institutional residences and other group homes not qualifying as group homes for the disabled.

* Approved the contract for professional services with HDR Engineering, Inc. for the Task 3 Winslow Levee Survey at a cost of $288,390.

*Approved an IGA between Navajo County Flood Control District and Silver Creek Flood Control District for the Millet Swale Drainage Improvement Project at a cost of $100,000.