Hello, Northern Arizona! Welcome to the new year and the new decade! As everyone heads back to school and work, I want to take a minute to talk about our goals. I like to think we mostly agree on what we want our communities to look like. We want kids to have happy and healthy childhoods, we want clean air to breathe and clean water to drink. We want families to have shelter and food on the table. We want good schools and parks to play in, forests to explore and festivals to attend. The big … [Read more...] about Creating the World We Want
mayor Coral Evans
Celebrating, Shopping, Giving Locally
Hello all! Happy Holidays! The holidays are a magical time up here in the north. The Polar Express is making kids’ dreams come true. There are tree lightings and hot chocolate, ice skating and, of course, the Pinecone Drop to look forward to. All over the area, communities come together to celebrate together. I want to take some time this month to encourage all of us to do as much of our celebrating and shopping at local businesses as possible. When we spend money at locally owned businesses, … [Read more...] about Celebrating, Shopping, Giving Locally
Learning More About Flagstaff’s Climate Action Plan
Hello, Northern Arizona! This month marks the one year anniversary of adoption of the City of Flagstaff’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. Shortly after I became mayor, the council voted to create a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and “identify actions that will save money, protect community assets and ensure quality of life amidst change.” The plan was developed through the course of a year and involved extensive outreach to the community. The result is a roadmap that reflects … [Read more...] about Learning More About Flagstaff’s Climate Action Plan
Bringing People Together to Solve Community Challenges
Hello, Northern Arizona! Well, it looks like fall has arrived, schools are back in session, NAU has started the fall semester, nights are cooling off and soon the leaves will change. This month, I want to talk about how we move forward together. We know that we all want to make sure our communities remain healthy and safe. The question is, “How do we do that?” Something that’s been proven true in my experience is this African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go … [Read more...] about Bringing People Together to Solve Community Challenges
Understanding the Value of Protecting, Conserving Public Lands
Hello, all! I hope everyone is enjoying summer up here in beautiful Northern Arizona. We really do have an abundance of beauty and I hope you all are making time to enjoy it. Get out to the Grand Canyon or down to Oak Creek, go for a hike on the Peaks, or kayak the Verde. Growing up, my grandfather would take me fishing on Lake Mary and hiking out on the Mogollon Rim. These remain some of my most treasured memories. Our public lands provide endless opportunities for recreation and cherished … [Read more...] about Understanding the Value of Protecting, Conserving Public Lands
Addressing Issues Through Public Service
My family goes back four generations in Northern Arizona. Originally from Louisiana, they came to Flagstaff by way of McNary, when my grandfather found out that he could make three cents more an hour at one of the sawmills here. My daughter, Destiney, and I still live in the family home he built. I first ran for City Council when the city tried to sell a community center. It’s an important space with a deep history in the community, but the local government didn’t seem to care. We held forums, … [Read more...] about Addressing Issues Through Public Service
Planning for a Sustainable Water Future
Hello, Flagstaff! Has everyone been enjoying our relatively active winter weather? I have, after last year’s exceptional dryness and the perpetual threat of wildfire. I deeply appreciate the rain and snow that we’ve been blessed with. Water is an ongoing concern and something I think we need to think critically about. The climate is changing, the City of Flagstaff has recognized that and laid out a series of goals and steps that we think will help our community and our planet. As the … [Read more...] about Planning for a Sustainable Water Future
Why Reasonable Governance Benefits the People
Hello, Flagstaff! It’s February, which means we’re solidly into another winter. It’s too early to tell if this one will last until May or if warm days will return sooner than ever. Council is back at work, and in Phoenix, the state legislature has reconvened. As of this writing, the federal government is still partially closed and many federal employees are not being paid. Health care and transportation on our region’s native nations are suffering and preparations for fire season are … [Read more...] about Why Reasonable Governance Benefits the People
Flagstaff’s Budget Process Means Identifying Community Needs
Hello, Flagstaff! Happy New Year! I cannot tell you how honored I am to serve as your mayor for another year. There is a lot we would like to accomplish in the next 12 months – enacting the climate action plan, making sure city services have what they need to meet our needs, supporting families and doing what we can to address our housing crisis, expanding infrastructure, provide resources to local businesses. The list goes on and on. Throughout the year, we all contribute to the city … [Read more...] about Flagstaff’s Budget Process Means Identifying Community Needs
Practicing Love, Service, Thanksgiving
Hello, Flagstaff! As I sit to write this, we are less than nine days away from the general election. It’s also been one horrifying news cycle after another. Last week, a man walked into a synagogue and opened fire, killing 11 people while spewing anti-Semitic hatred. Two African-Americans were killed for being black in a Kroeger. The shooter in that case had been unable to enter a predominantly black church. Historically, people died in the fight against racism – and people are still … [Read more...] about Practicing Love, Service, Thanksgiving