Mayor Spotlight
Name,
title & city/town
Diane Joens, Mayor
Cottonwood, Arizona
Year elected: Cottonwood City Council in 2003
Elected as Mayor: in 2007 and 2011 for four-year terms
Years served as Mayor: Five
Hometown: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Why did you decide to serve in local government?
City government has always piqued my interest. In the
late 1980s I served on the Cottonwood Planning and Zoning Commission and
later the Parks and Recreation Commission. In 2003 a friend encouraged me
to run for City Council, and the rest is history. I didn't - and still
don't - have a personal agenda. I do have a vision for now and the next
25 years, and Cottonwood has an excellent city council and staff that
works together with a shared vision. We collaborate as we strive to serve
our citizenry in the best possible manner.
What are the biggest challenges facing your town
today?
A quote from Governor Jan Brewer says much:
"While I can agree that all levels of government must continue to
find ways to cut costs, I am becoming increasingly concerned that many
bills introduced this session micromanage decisions best made at the
local level. What happened to the conservative belief that the most
effective, responsible and responsive government is government closest to
the people?" Municipal governments are closest to the people of
Arizona. Residents count on Arizona cities and towns for services that
provide a good quality of life for daily living. That includes police and
fire protection, water and wastewater services, parks and recreation
opportunities, and many other services. There has been much interference
in this process in the past several legislative sessions-with a crushing
theme of one-size-fits-all. This attitude is harmful to the citizens that
local governments serve. Each local government is as unique as an
individual human being. That is why policies that impact local
governments must be decided by local elected officials and their
citizens. Other challenges include protecting the Verde River for people
and nature, ensuring our water future, and participating in the fine art
of providing high quality city services while "doing more with
less" in the current economy.
What opportunities do you see for your community?
The panoramic beauty of Cottonwood and the Verde
Valley is unsurpassed. Residents and visitors alike enjoy the many
benefits of the scenic Verde River. The vibrant greens of the riparian
area blend with the hues of gold, red and limestone in the mesas, canyons
and buttes surrounding Cottonwood. Cottonwood is adjacent to two National
Forests, the Coconino National Forest and Prescott National Forest. Dead
Horse Ranch State Park and the Verde River Greenway are within the city
limits. Recreational opportunities abound for all. Community members and
visitors enjoy bicycling, hang gliding, hiking, river rafting and
equestrian activities. In May the League of American Bicyclists awarded
the city of Cottonwood the bronze level as a bicycle friendly community.
Wildlife and bird watching opportunities are plentiful. I see
opportunities for tourism in connection with the Verde River as well as
our newly revitalized Old Town Cottonwood. The city is a leader and
collaborator with the new wine industry in the Verde Valley. Even during
this challenging economy, Old Town Cottonwood has been flourishing and
attracting new and vibrant businesses and visitors. Living in the Verde
Valley is paradise. I have loved this community since the day I moved
here in 1986.
What are you most proud of during your time in office?
I am very proud of how our city council and staff interact
to promote and serve the residents of Cottonwood and the surrounding
areas. Although Cottonwood is a small town of almost 12,000 people, we
provide services to the approximately 40,000 residents in the upper Verde
Valley. We take that job very seriously. Civility is the key to
accomplishment and good policy, and I am proud that our citizens and
elected officials also place civility high on the scale of interaction.
I'm proud of the Cottonwood Recreation Center that opened in May 2010.
The Rec Center provides a place for multi-generations to gather and it
contributes to the overall health of our community. The parking lot is
always full. We're promoting Cottonwood as a destination and we're very
proud of our wine industry in the Verde Valley. We've been working hard
to build and upgrade streets. This is a high priority of our citizens.
Why is the League important to cities and towns in
Arizona?
Speaking from a smaller community's point of view, the
League is an especially important force in our interactions with state
and federal legislators. Smaller cities do not have the financial and
people resources to create a daily presence at the Capitol. We count on
the expertise of the League staff to keep us informed about bills that
will impact our residents. We rely on the League to be there every
day-and often every night-when there is activity at the Legislature. The
League of Arizona Cities and Towns is key to the citizens of Arizona. It
assists city and town leaders with a consistent and constant voice in
legislation that impacts our citizens directly. The League is excellent
about listening to local elected officials and then acting on our behalf.
The League serves our city residents, just like we do. It's all about the
people.
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