During the Jan. 24 Holbrook City Council meeting, the council accepted a donation of property from Councilwoman Francie Payne in a 6-1 vote. The property, located south of the corner of Fourth Avenue and Buffalo Street, is a vacant lot that was donated for development as a public park.
Prior to the presentation of the item, Leo Maestas spoke during the call to the audience regarding the property, asking the council to table the matter of accepting the land, “due to an issue with the property that may rise to criminal conflict of interest involving the former city manager and pundit Francie Payne, who is now a council lady.”
Maestas stated that a water meter was installed on the lot in July 2012, prior to Payne being elected to the council, and that he could find no evidence that it was ever paid for.
“If it’s not paid for, then it’s gifting and illegal. I think that the chief of police should contact the sheriff to deal with this,” insisted Maestas.
Councilman Richard Peterson referred to the allegations in his comments, stating, “Regarding the allegation of wrongdoing, if anyone is wanting to pursue this, that will continue whether we accept it (the property) or not. Personally, I think it (the donation) is a good idea.”
Councilman CJ Wischmann expressed his concern with developing a park across the street from Holbrook Junior High School. “The junior high found someone sleeping on school property recently. I spoke with Assistant Chief (Lt.) Jack Arend and he said that he had a concern that having a park there would invite transient traffic. I have great concern having this so close to a school. We have a number of parks in the city with desert landscaping and I think those are fine,” he said, referring to the concept of making the new park a fruit and vegetable garden for public use.
Following those comments, the council voted 6-1 to accept the donation, with Councilman Wischmann casting the lone dissenting vote.
Although Councilwoman Payne was not asked to respond to Maestas’ accusations during the meeting, she later provided a written statement on the matter to The Tribune-News. It follows.
“The assertion made by Leo Maestas during the call to the public at Tuesday evening’s council meeting that I did not pay for the extension of water service to the lot is true.
“In February 2012, I revised my will to include the bequest of the lot to the city. That has been my intent from the start. As I was considering what type of sprinkler or drip system to use, I was advised that the city would go ahead and extend water service to the lot. When I asked the cost, I was told that I did not need to pay the fee, because the lot would be given to the city.
“For various reasons, I have not been able to develop the park, and so decided to go ahead and offer it as a donation to the city. The water service has never been utilized.
“I disagree with Mr. Maestas’ statement that the extension required laying a line 100’ to the west, then 200’ to the south. The extension to the west may be a true figure, but had the line been extended 200’ to the south, the water meter would be located near or past the alley between Buffalo and Arizona streets. Instead, it is located toward the north end of the lot.
“I have not tried to hide this from anyone, but no one, including Mr. Maestas, Armando Aguilera or Louie Baldonado, who were named by Mr. Maestas as witnesses to the extension, nor any member of the city council, has asked me about this.
“I want nothing but the best for Holbrook and have always tried to work toward that. Much progress has been made in the city over the past several years, and it is my belief that this is another attempt to thwart this.
“If I need to pay for the extension to the lot, I will, but would appreciate a bill reflecting the actual extension distance. If I should be charged or cited in relation to this, so be it.”
Payne wasn’t the only city official to be accused of accepting city favors. Before the meeting concluded, Maestas again addressed the council, accusing former mayor Jeff Hill of getting free services from the city with the installation of a utility box that he claimed was not paid for. “I don’t think the chief of police can address this, but he can have the sheriff look into city officials and pundits getting free services,” said Maestas.
Vice Mayor Wade Carlisle responded to the accusation, stating that he may be incorrect, but he believed that the owners of each parcel in the area of Hill’s home paid for those services through their property tax as a result of being part of a water district.
