Navajo County Attorney Brad Carlyon will hold a meeting at 9 a.m. on Monday, April 4, at the Hubbell Trading Post/Chamber of Commerce Building in Winslow to discuss and hopefully find solutions to problems with crime, prosecution and incarceration in Navajo County.
This issue has become vital to both the county and its cities with the passing of many government expenses from the state to the counties and cities. County officials have proposed having cities pay expenses for prosecutions of crimes committed in the city and for jailing of persons convicted of those crimes. This would add a significant expense for the cities that are searching for an equitable solution.
Winslow officials were to meet with officials from other cities Wednesday in Show Low to discuss this situation and search for other options. The problem is not unique to Winslow, but is shared by the county and most cities.
Winslow City Manager Jim Ferguson said on Tuesday that the lines of communication are open and that he appreciates Carlyon’s leadership in scheduling the meeting for Monday. There are problems which need to be addressed concerning what needs to be done and how expenses should be and can be covered.
The meeting on Monday is a public meeting and citizens are encouraged to attend.
There are many issues that will likely be areas suggested for change, and not all of them are just the province of the city or the county. Some of the issues may involve state mandates that may even themselves be part of the problem. One possible outcome of the meeting may be an agreement to ask the state to change some of its policies.
A meeting with a representative of the Buxton Company will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 14, at the Hubbell Building/Chamber of Commerce. The city has an agreement with the firm to help in its attempt to improve local business and attract new business enterprises.
Ferguson said that this should be a meeting especially important for local retailers to get information from the research Buxton has done and is doing. It may also be worthwhile for owners of buildings and land who are looking for buyers or renters of their property. One of the results of the research is expected to be the city developing a strategy on how to use the Buxton information and connection.
There were several issues raised in the report that Ferguson said would need to be addressed and at least one area for which Buxton needs to seek better information. He explained that the company provides a valuable service for both communities and businesses. He noted that on Tuesday he had learned that Applebee’s officials have selected Buxton to help them find desirable locations for their restaurants.
There is no guarantee that Winslow would be considered a good location for such a business, but the information was seen as proof that top quality businesses use the company and its product.
