“As representative of District 3 I look forward to working with you,” said Navajo County Supervisor Jason as he introduced himself to the Taylor Town Council Feb. 3.
Whiting noted that he has worked with Town Manager Gus Lundberg on some issues.
A handout listing projects that Navajo County has been involved with in Taylor was given to the council members. Navajo County provided labor, equipment and materials for one mile of double chip seal on Freeman Hollow road within the Taylor town limits; shared millings received from the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) with the town; provided fencing materials valued at $5,000 and the rancher provided the labor to install right-of-way fencing on Freeman Hollow Road; and provided labor, equipment and material for AC millings and chip seal on Old School House Road.
The county has provided labor, equipment and materials for projects at the Northern Arizona Training Center and contributed $125,000 to the industrial park detention basin project.
“Several worked with me on economic development issues in the area,” said Whiting, noting that he grew up in this area and is one of the fortunate ones to be able to come home to raise his family.
Whiting said that the preservation of the Apache Railway has been an important project to the region, and there has been an ongoing effort to come up with a long-term solution.
The Santa Fe Railroad created the railway in 1917 to transport lumber and sold it to Southwest Forest Industries in 1960. When Catalyst Paper Mill closed due to bankruptcy, the towns were left high and dry. Hackman Capital Partners acquired the rail assets.
“If we lose it, it’s never coming back,” said Whiting, noting that the scrap value was high.
Hackman sold the stock controlling the rail to the Snowflake Community Foundation (SCF), an Arizona 501(c)(6) corporation formed to preserve the rail, for $6.375 million, according to the handout.
They lost money the first two years, said Whiting, but “It’s now making money and able to sustain itself.”
PFFJ utilizes the railway to get feed to its farm outside of Snowflake, he said, noting, “It becomes a matter of losing current jobs, as well as anybody coming to the area.” Whiting said a lumber mill is in the process of coming here and they would love to use the railroad, and potash mining firms said it was something they need.
“We’ve been looking for several different avenues to help find a long-term funding source,” he said.
Navajo County Community Services Director Linda Young shared a video about the county.
“We want to look for opportunities to try to enhance and improve the services you provide,” said Whiting. “I look forward to working with you.”
