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Amid laughter and tears and the sharing of memories, Sheriff KC Clark’s notice of retirement, effective Feb. 12, was accepted by the Navajo County Board of Supervisors at the meeting on Feb. 12.
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At the same time, Deputy Chief David Clouse was appointed to fill the remainder of Clark’s unexpired term that will be open for election in November of 2020.
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As Clark addressed the board one final time as Sheriff he said, “I would ask that you accept my retirement so that I can be unemployed; but more than that I would ask that you appoint David Clouse in my place.”
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Clark went on to explain the connection between Clouse and the man who gave him a chance 32 years ago. “Thirty-two years ago David’s grandfather, Navajo County Sheriff Glenn Flake, took a chance on me. I probably didn’t deserve a chance back then 32 years ago, but he sent me to the academy and here I am today. I would be honored to be able to give the badge back to the family that gave me the opportunity.”
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Due to the fact that Judge Robert Higgins had to get back to court, he swore in Clouse as the new sheriff of Navajo County before people spoke in honor of Clark.
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The call to the public for Clark opened with a video presentation by U.S. Congressman Tom O’Halleran who recognized Clark from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in January.
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Patrick Running from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) from Flagstaff shared, “Law enforcement has a lot of factors for success and one of the biggest factors is partnership. We cannot thank you enough for the partnership we have had with your organization the last 10 years.”
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Running presented Clark with a plaque that thanked him for his outstanding dedication and friendship to HSI and DEA.
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Terry Young and Jack Latham from Show Low Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9907 thanked Sheriff Clark for his support a number of years ago in setting up a veteran’s court. They presented Clark a plaque for “special recognition for exceptional service for veterans in our community.”
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Among the other well-wishers was President Jonathan Nez of the Navajo Nation and Betsy Allen representing the Pinon Community of seniors and elders.
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As a parting gift from the Navajo Nation, Nez wrapped Clark in a beautiful wool blanket to keep him warm in his retirement. “The Sheriff never saw jurisdictional lines. He was there for all of us. He brought resources for drug enforcement; his legacy and work will continue on,” said Nez, who then looked at Clark’s wife, Brenda and said, “Brenda, on behalf of the Navajo people, thank you for being a part of Sheriff Clark’s career.”
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Allen presented a gift of a bolo tie from the Pinon community. “The bolo tie represents day and night because you were there day and night for us,” recounted Allen. “We never knew what a sheriff was all about until Sheriff Clark came. A lot of things happen out in Pinon, but he was always helpful. KC seemed to touch everyone’s life in the whole Navajo County. It is really amazing for one person to do that. We can’t say enough, but this is just a small token to say thank you.”
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Chairwoman Dawnafe Whitesinger took a personal moment to thank Clark, saying, “Sheriff Clark has a big heart about serving people fairly. You have inspired my own leadership in being able to stand for people and when I have the opportunity to advocate for others, I do so.
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Whitesinger continued, “Yesterday, I was leaving Cibecue and I thought about you. When one leaves Cibecue and gets to the top of the mountain, it used to be that my people would stop at the top of the mountain and leave a prayer there that their journey would be safe and that their loved ones would be protected. As many of my ancestors did and on behalf of many people that you have served, I left a prayer for you there for your journey ahead.”
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In other business, the board:
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* Approved the appointment of Dave Hartman to the Board of Adjustments representing District One for a four-year term.
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* Appointed Roberta Livesay of the law firm of Helm, Livesay and Worthington to represent Navajo County in the new roof top solar appeals in Solarcity Corp versus Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) and all 15 counties, SunRun versus ADOR and all 15 counties, and Sequoia Pacific versus Navajo County.
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* Approved the appointment of Alejandro de la Torre to the Northeastern Arizona Local Workforce Development Board.
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* Approved the conduction of board members elections for White Mountain Summer Home Domestic Water Improvement District and White Mountain Special Road District on May 21, 2019.
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* Approved the acceptance of the grant of right-of-way for Stetson Road for the Hopi Tribe as written by Woodson Engineering.
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* Authorized the county manager to sign, per board of supervisors resolution, for the Arizona Department of Transportation for temporary construction easement for construction in connection with the construction of the Flagstaff-Holbrook Highway.
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* Approved acceptance of the surplus and seized vehicles list and authorization to publish the notice of the same scheduling the Public Surplus online auction for surplus and seized vehicles on Feb. 10 – March 10.
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