By L. Parsons Paul Watson who has served Navajo County for 31 years retired on Oct. 15. Last week, during the Navajo County Board of Supervisors meeting, Watson was presented with honors from his friends and family, the supervisors and co-workers. Watson most recently worked as the Economic Development Director and Assistant County Manager of Navajo County. According to Human Resources Director, Eric Scott, “He started with the Town of Pinetop-Lakeside and was there for 19 years, even serving as the town manager. He also served as the town manager for Snowflake for seven and a half years.” Many county employees sang Watson’s praises, beginning with Scott. “I have noticed that his character is very strong, he stands up for what he believes in. He has a calm demeanor and he has a great sense of humor. He is a great leader and has been a great asset to Navajo County.” Navajo County Manager Glen Kephart had this to say, “We are extremely grateful to you and for your service to the communities in this region. It has been my honor to work with you as a partner and to mentor under you.” The Mayor Stephanie Irwin of Pinetop-Lakeside presented Watson with a gift and said, “We appreciate the groundwork he laid in our community.” Hunter Moore, natural resources policy advisor to Governor Doug Ducey also had words of congratulations for Watson and said, “He has helped to shape policy in this state. It has been a remarkable experience to work with him.” Chip Davis of Congressman Tom O’Halleran’s office also thanked Watson for his dedication to protecting natural resources and serving Navajo County and the White Mountain region. District III Jason Whiting was also very appreciative of Watson’s leadership and friendship. In an emotional speech, Whiting said, “I admire you; I appreciate you and I wish you well in your next chapter.” Many others spoke about Watson, the general consensus was that he has been important to the region and will be missed in the day-to-day operations. Watson was emotional as he recounted the time he has spent in Navajo County, explaining that he was the City Manager of Pinetop-Lakeside when the Rodeo Chediski Fire tore through the mountains. “I have dealt with the closing of the paper mill and the devastation that caused for families who worked there and now Navajo County is closing NGS (Navajo Generating Station). So, I would just warn anyone not to hire me,” Watson said jokingly. “What I will remember most is the value of people and the value of relationships. It is in the toughest times that you see the best of man. I truly have been blessed to see the best of people.” Watson will not be leaving the county entirely. He will be working in a consulting capacity beginning Oct. 15. In other business, the Board of Supervisors: * Accepted the warrant and voucher report for September 2019 for invoices over $1,000. * Adopted a resolution cancelling the elections for Pinedale, Porter Mountain and Ski-Hi domestic water improvement districts and appointing the candidates or deeming the position vacant. * Approved one back tax land parcel sold over the counter in the amount of $1,323. * Approved Desierto de Colores Ballet Folklorico’s request for $250 in AARF funds. * Approved the purchase of vehicles in the amount of $26,271 with funds from the State of Arizona’s Constable Ethics, Standards and Training Board equipment grant program. * Approved a letter to be sent to Governor Doug Ducey regarding elimination mandated county payments to support the state operated and managed Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections (ADJC) signed by all 15 Arizona counties. * Approved contracts signed by the city manager for professional services with Painted Sky for Shumway Road in Snowflake for signing and striping plans in the amount of $6,040, services with Ironside Engineering and Development for the Buck Springs Road in Pinetop Speed Study in the amount of $9,100, a drainage study at Pond Road in Lakeside in the amount of $8,600, and Lone Pine Dam Road at Highway 160 improvement plans in the amount of $48,400. * Appointed Karen Silverstein Edmondson, Ben Dixon, Alice Zah, Shannon Doreen Thompson and Steven Guy Sheck as Democratic Precinct Committeemen for their respective precincts. * Approved a client services agreement between the Navajo County Women Infant Children (WIC) program and Languares Inc. for American Sign Language services. * Approved a professional services agreement between the county and Alyssa Lemmon, RN to perform public health nursing duties on an as needed basis from Oct. 1- Dec. 31, 2023, at $35 per hour. * Approved an agreement signed by the city manager with SirisDynix for SMS texting to library patrons in the amount of $1,250. * Approved a liquor license owner transfer to Cheryl Harmon at Moose Henri’s Grille Corks and Taps located at 4207A Highway 260 in Lakeside. * Moved into executive session to receive legal advice from the county attorney regarding an undisclosed settlement agreement in the U.S. District Court Case, Navajo Nation v. Katie Hobbs. The next meeting of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors will be at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22, in the Board chambers located at 100 E. Code Talkers Drive.
By L. Parsons Paul Watson who has served Navajo County for 31 years retired on Oct. 15. Last week, during the Navajo County Board of Supervisors meeting, Watson was presented with honors from his friends and family, the supervisors and co-workers. Watson most recently worked as the Economic Development Director and Assistant County Manager of Navajo County. According to Human Resources Director, Eric Scott, “He started with the Town of Pinetop-Lakeside and was there for 19 years, even serving as the town manager. He also served as the town manager for Snowflake for seven and a half years.” Many county employees sang Watson’s praises, beginning with Scott. “I have noticed that his character is very strong, he stands up for what he believes in. He has a calm demeanor and he has a great sense of humor. He is a great leader and has been a great asset to Navajo County.” Navajo County Manager Glen Kephart had this to say, “We are extremely grateful to you and for your service to the communities in this region. It has been my honor to work with you as a partner and to mentor under you.” The Mayor Stephanie Irwin of Pinetop-Lakeside presented Watson with a gift and said, “We appreciate the groundwork he laid in our community.” Hunter Moore, natural resources policy advisor to Governor Doug Ducey also had words of congratulations for Watson and said, “He has helped to shape policy in this state. It has been a remarkable experience to work with him.” Chip Davis of Congressman Tom O’Halleran’s office also thanked Watson for his dedication to protecting natural resources and serving Navajo County and the White Mountain region. District III Jason Whiting was also very appreciative of Watson’s leadership and friendship. In an emotional speech, Whiting said, “I admire you; I appreciate you and I wish you well in your next chapter.” Many others spoke about Watson, the general consensus was that he has been important to the region and will be missed in the day-to-day operations. Watson was emotional as he recounted the time he has spent in Navajo County, explaining that he was the City Manager of Pinetop-Lakeside when the Rodeo Chediski Fire tore through the mountains. “I have dealt with the closing of the paper mill and the devastation that caused for families who worked there and now Navajo County is closing NGS (Navajo Generating Station). So, I would just warn anyone not to hire me,” Watson said jokingly. “What I will remember most is the value of people and the value of relationships. It is in the toughest times that you see the best of man. I truly have been blessed to see the best of people.” Watson will not be leaving the county entirely. He will be working in a consulting capacity beginning Oct. 15. In other business, the Board of Supervisors: * Accepted the warrant and voucher report for September 2019 for invoices over $1,000. * Adopted a resolution cancelling the elections for Pinedale, Porter Mountain and Ski-Hi domestic water improvement districts and appointing the candidates or deeming the position vacant. * Approved one back tax land parcel sold over the counter in the amount of $1,323. * Approved Desierto de Colores Ballet Folklorico’s request for $250 in AARF funds. * Approved the purchase of vehicles in the amount of $26,271 with funds from the State of Arizona’s Constable Ethics, Standards and Training Board equipment grant program. * Approved a letter to be sent to Governor Doug Ducey regarding elimination mandated county payments to support the state operated and managed Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections (ADJC) signed by all 15 Arizona counties. * Approved contracts signed by the city manager for professional services with Painted Sky for Shumway Road in Snowflake for signing and striping plans in the amount of $6,040, services with Ironside Engineering and Development for the Buck Springs Road in Pinetop Speed Study in the amount of $9,100, a drainage study at Pond Road in Lakeside in the amount of $8,600, and Lone Pine Dam Road at Highway 160 improvement plans in the amount of $48,400. * Appointed Karen Silverstein Edmondson, Ben Dixon, Alice Zah, Shannon Doreen Thompson and Steven Guy Sheck as Democratic Precinct Committeemen for their respective precincts. * Approved a client services agreement between the Navajo County Women Infant Children (WIC) program and Languares Inc. for American Sign Language services. * Approved a professional services agreement between the county and Alyssa Lemmon, RN to perform public health nursing duties on an as needed basis from Oct. 1- Dec. 31, 2023, at $35 per hour. * Approved an agreement signed by the city manager with SirisDynix for SMS texting to library patrons in the amount of $1,250. * Approved a liquor license owner transfer to Cheryl Harmon at Moose Henri’s Grille Corks and Taps located at 4207A Highway 260 in Lakeside. * Moved into executive session to receive legal advice from the county attorney regarding an undisclosed settlement agreement in the U.S. District Court Case, Navajo Nation v. Katie Hobbs. The next meeting of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors will be at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22, in the Board chambers located at 100 E. Code Talkers Drive.

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Paul Watson who has served Navajo County for 31 years retired on Oct. 15. Last week, during the Navajo County Board of Supervisors meeting, Watson was presented with honors from his friends and family, the supervisors and co-workers.

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Watson most recently worked as the Economic Development Director and Assistant County Manager of Navajo County. According to Human Resources Director, Eric Scott, “He started with the Town of Pinetop-Lakeside and was there for 19 years, even serving as the town manager. He also served as the town manager for Snowflake for seven and a half years.”

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Many county employees sang Watson’s praises, beginning with Scott. “I have noticed that his character is very strong, he stands up for what he believes in. He has a calm demeanor and he has a great sense of humor. He is a great leader and has been a great asset to Navajo County.”

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Navajo County Manager Glen Kephart had this to say, “We are extremely grateful to you and for your service to the communities in this region. It has been my honor to work with you as a partner and to mentor under you.”

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The Mayor Stephanie Irwin of Pinetop-Lakeside presented Watson with a gift and said, “We appreciate the groundwork he laid in our community.”

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Hunter Moore, natural resources policy advisor to Governor Doug Ducey also had words of congratulations for Watson and said, “He has helped to shape policy in this state. It has been a remarkable experience to work with him.”

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Chip Davis of Congressman Tom O’Halleran’s office also thanked Watson for his dedication to protecting natural resources and serving Navajo County and the White Mountain region.

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District III Jason Whiting was also very appreciative of Watson’s leadership and friendship. In an emotional speech, Whiting said, “I admire you; I appreciate you and I wish you well in your next chapter.”

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Many others spoke about Watson, the general consensus was that he has been important to the region and will be missed in the day-to-day operations.

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Watson was emotional as he recounted the time he has spent in Navajo County, explaining that he was the City Manager of Pinetop-Lakeside when the Rodeo Chediski Fire tore through the mountains. “I have dealt with the closing of the paper mill and the devastation that caused for families who worked there and now Navajo County is closing NGS (Navajo Generating Station). So, I would just warn anyone not to hire me,” Watson said jokingly.

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“What I will remember most is the value of people and the value of relationships. It is in the toughest times that you see the best of man. I truly have been blessed to see the best of people.”

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Watson will not be leaving the county entirely. He will be working in a consulting capacity beginning Oct. 15.

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In other business, the Board of Supervisors:

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* Accepted the warrant and voucher report for September 2019 for invoices over $1,000.

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* Adopted a resolution cancelling the elections for Pinedale, Porter Mountain and Ski-Hi domestic water improvement districts and appointing the candidates or deeming the position vacant.

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* Approved one back tax land parcel sold over the counter in the amount of $1,323.

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* Approved Desierto de Colores Ballet Folklorico’s request for $250 in AARF funds.

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* Approved the purchase of vehicles in the amount of $26,271 with funds from the State of Arizona’s Constable Ethics, Standards and Training Board equipment grant program.

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* Approved a letter to be sent to Governor Doug Ducey regarding elimination mandated county payments to support the state operated and managed Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections (ADJC) signed by all 15 Arizona counties.

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* Approved contracts signed by the city manager for professional services with Painted Sky for Shumway Road in Snowflake for signing and striping plans in the amount of $6,040, services with Ironside Engineering and Development for the Buck Springs Road in Pinetop Speed Study in the amount of $9,100, a drainage study at Pond Road in Lakeside in the amount of $8,600, and Lone Pine Dam Road at Highway 160 improvement plans in the amount of $48,400.

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* Appointed Karen Silverstein Edmondson, Ben Dixon, Alice Zah, Shannon Doreen Thompson and Steven Guy Sheck as Democratic Precinct Committeemen for their respective precincts.

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* Approved a client services agreement between the Navajo County Women Infant Children (WIC) program and Languares Inc. for American Sign Language services.

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* Approved a professional services agreement between the county and Alyssa Lemmon, RN to perform public health nursing duties on an as needed basis from Oct. 1- Dec. 31, 2023, at $35 per hour.

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* Approved an agreement signed by the city manager with SirisDynix for SMS texting to library patrons in the amount of $1,250.

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* Approved a liquor license owner transfer to Cheryl Harmon at Moose Henri’s Grille Corks and Taps located at 4207A Highway 260 in Lakeside.

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* Moved into executive session to receive legal advice from the county attorney regarding an undisclosed settlement agreement in the U.S. District Court Case, Navajo Nation v. Katie Hobbs.

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The next meeting of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors will be at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22, in the Board chambers located at 100 E. Code Talkers Drive.

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