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During the August 13 meeting, the Holbrook City Council’s newest member Mark Jackson addressed issues concerning the visual state of various buildings and streets throughout Holbrook. Citing mostly graffiti and cars parked on sidewalks as the main issues, Jackson proposed that the council speak with the Holbrook Police Department to strategize a plan for preventing further vandalism and improving pedestrian safety.
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During his interview for the council position back in July, Jackson stated that he wanted to help with the efforts of attracting more people to Holbrook. Expressing his desire for Holbrook to start benefitting from its Western history and tapping into its potential. It seems he has not lost sight of his goal to rid the town of the many eye sores that have overshadowed the efforts of businesses, residents and city workers who take part in preserving and maintaining the city’s image.
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The weekend prior to the meeting, Jackson took a drive through Holbrook and was disappointed at what he saw. “I noticed that we are getting a lot of graffiti popping up all over the place again. Some of it is extremely large and it’s taken a long time to put up,” referring to the large piece covering the back walls of the Magnuson Hotel, which burned down in 2017. He also pointing out the large images spray painted behind the Dollar General, and the post office alley. Jackson stated that during his time as chief of police for Holbrook, vandalism was something that they had to be diligent about or it would overrun the buildings.
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Despite the Dollar General already covering the images spray painted on the back of their buildings, the marking appears to have bled through and presents an unpleasant image to anyone who happens to walk by. Not to mention the imposition it presents for the businesses who are responsible for the repair.
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Irma Pogue, manager of the Dollar General on Navajo Blvd., showed the area in the back where she attempted to remove some of the graffiti. Because the markings are so dark, it bleeds through any attempt to cover it up.
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She pointed to the electric box next to the building where she attempted to do the same with no luck. “I don’t think the city would mind if I paint it, but I’m going to have to paint it black to cover that up.” Pogue stated that she too has seen a rise in the amount of graffiti throughout the town. “For a while they weren’t doing anything and all of a sudden, they’re back again. It is a problem.”
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Another concerning matter brought up by the former chief of police, was that several cars parked on the streets have been causing pedestrians to use the street to get around them. “I was approached by a couple of citizens of Holbrook and they were concerned about vehicles parking on the sidewalk. I drove around and looked and there are vehicles parked along the sidewalk. Some say they have to walk into the street to walk around the cars. This is not only in one part of town, that’s pretty much in the whole city of Holbrook.”
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Jackson stated that he has not reached out to the Holbrook Police Department to schedule a meeting. Police Chief Nathan Christianson was not available to offer his take on Jackson’s observations.
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