The Holbrook City Council held its regular meeting Wednesday, May 8, followed by an executive session in which the council made their selection for city manager. The name of the candidate will be announced pending the final agreement of the contract. The three candidates under consideration were Interim City Manager Randy Sullivan, John Waters and Sharon Jakubowski Wolz.
During the call to the public, resident Nonie Gilmer voiced her approval for city manager candidate Waters, stating he was full of enthusiasm when she spoke to him during the meet and greet held the week prior. Charlie Carpenter submitted a letter to the council, in which he wrote that he and his wife believed Sullivan to be the best candidate for the position.
During the regular meeting, the council voted against a policy recommendation provided by the city’s risk pool to replace Personal Policy Section 207, which addresses weapons in the workplace. Personal Policy Section 207 allows city employees to carry weapons such as firearms during work and on city property at the discretion of the city manager. The original policy was first brought to the council’s attention in February following concerns raised by citizens. Conversations on the topic were then tabled pending lawyer recommendation.
Mayor Kathleen Smith read the recommended policy, which stated, “Ensuring a safe work environment and the prevention of workplace violence is the utmost importance to the city. Weapons inside the workplace pose a potential threat to the safety and security of our employees, and firearms of any type are strictly prohibited at all times inside city facilities, or while employees are engaged in the work of or business of the city, whether on site or off site.” The policy noted that it could not restrict employees from lawfully possessing firearms in their locked personal vehicles as long as they are not visible from outside said vehicle.
Many of the original arguments made were rehashed during the discussion of whether or not to accept the policy change. Councilmember Tim Dixon insisted the importance of the original policy, stating he is an advocate for victims. “I believe that a city employee may be at risk of, you know, domestic situations or otherwise.”
Councilmember Teri Tafoya countered this, saying “We are not carrying weapons now, when somebody could walk through that door and start shooting. I just don’t think it’s necessary for our city employees to have weapons while they are working or driving a city vehicle,” Tafoya also noted the liability it would create for the city, especially if an innocent bystander was accidentally harmed during an incident. “I’m just very adamant that I think we should pass this new policy and have it not be that they are allowed to carry guns while they are working for the city.”
Councilmember Arcenia Pacheco wondered if it was even a concern stating, “If they have a valid concealed weapons card, would that cover them? My main issue is I would rather lose my job than lose my life.”
“Has there ever been an incident in Holbrook where an employee has needed a gun while they were at work?” Tafoya asked Sullivan. Sullivan, who has worked for the city for 16 years, stated that to his knowledge there has never been an incident.
The debate ended with Tafoya making a motion to approve the new policy, which did not pass, with Mayor Smith, Vice Mayor Mike Nilsson, and councilmembers Dixon, Robert Black, Pacheco and Karina Pack voting against, and Councilmember Tafoya being the only one to vote in favor.
The Tribune’s new owner and publisher Shawn White gave a presentation, in which he introduced himself, his plans for the paper and its history in the community. “There’s a lot to learn and I’m really excited to get more into the community here in Holbrook.” White is a lifelong resident of Winslow and is now the youngest newspaper publisher in the state, in addition to The Tribune being the only locally owned newspaper in Navajo County.
“We’ve been in this community for 115 years next week, on May 14,” said White. He also mentioned implementing a larger social media presence and video coverage. “I’m excited to meet every one of you and work together to celebrate the accomplishments of Holbrook and to document it’s struggles.” He noted that the Tribune’s editorial staff would remain the same, with Linda Kor and Talaina Kor continuing in their roles.
White’s presentation was followed with a proclamation made by Mayor Smith, making May 13-19 Local Media Week in Holbrook. In the proclamation, it states “Whereas, local media is vital to the fabric of our democracy, providing critical news and information to the citizens of Holbrook, fostering transparency and accountability in governance.”
Councilmember Dixon noted that he disagreed with part of the proclamation, specifically mentioning the portion which states, “Whereas, these media outlets serve as cornerstones of community engagement, offering platforms for discourse and giving voice to the diverse perspectives within our town.”
