Congratulations to Arizona city and town police officers on commendable efforts that were recently recognized!

Officer Wes Kelley of Apache Junction Police Department (Photo Courtesy of City of Apache Junction)

Apache Junction Police Department Officer Wesley Kelley was recently named the Officer of the Year by the local American Legion.

Kelley was given the honor on April 9 by American Legion Post 27.

American Legion posts nationwide name officers of the year. The American Legion then annually selects a National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award. It is awarded to a well-rounded law enforcement officer who has exceeded the duty requirements expected of his or her position and has demonstrated a distinct pattern of community service coupled with professional achievement, according to the American Legion website.

“It is always an honor to have one of our officers recognized by one of armed service organizations,” said Police Chief Thomas E. Kelly. “It is especially humbling as these are the same people that have previously placed themselves in harm’s way in defending our country.  Officer Kelley is one of those officers that requires minimum supervision and is respected by his peers. He presents himself well and treats all with dignity and respect as stated in the Apache Junction Police Department’s mission statement. Very proud of the recognition.”

Prescott Valley Police Department Officer of the Year Cozens (Photo Courtesy of Town of Prescott Valley)

The Prescott Valley Police Department also held its annual police recognition awards. The Officer of the Year was announced as Officer Caleb Cozens.

Officer Cozens started his career with the Prescott Valley Police Department in June 2015, laterally transferring from Chino Valley.  He demonstrates a positive, upbeat attitude and is known for his professionalism, representing the Prescott Valley Police Department and the Town of Prescott Valley with pride.

A team player, Officer Cozens consistently produces a high quality of work, especially in the handling of drug investigations. He is a leader within the department in drug arrests and is always willing to take on extra work. Over the last year Officer Cozens has written 83 citations/warnings, written 262 reports and supplements, and made 131 arrests.

The Town of Prescott Valley also honored other officers with awards:

Prescott Valley Police Department Rookie of the Year Officer Loughmiller (Photo Courtesy of Town of Prescott Valley)

2016 Rookie of the Year – Cameron Loughmiller

2016 Community Policing Ribbon – Officer Tyler Brown

2016 Unit of the Year – Community Services Unit

2016 Civilian of the Year – Jerry Ferguson

2016 Volunteer of the Year – Dave Demski

Silvia Smith, MMC and CPM
Town of Payson

How many years have you served as a clerk? 18 years

Where are you originally from? Ignacio, Colorado

What is the most rewarding part of your job? To have our department be recognized by citizens for our exceptional customer service.

What is your favorite memory as a city/town clerk? Being recognized by the AMCA for Municipal Clerk of the Year in 2006.

Vicky Vivian, CMC
City of Benson

How many years have you served as a clerk? 11 years

Where are you originally from?  Elfrida, Arizona (born in Douglas, Arizona)

What is the most rewarding part of your job?  Being able to provide people with the information they need, whether it be a cemetery record for family research, utility assistance information or legislative history of the city.

What is your favorite memory as a city/town clerk?  Having people participate in local government, either by coming to council meetings and addressing the council or running and serving as a council member;  they come in and meet with me to learn about the city, the council, where they can find information, etc.  I’ve had two people decide to run – and they served – on council after meeting with me regarding their questions.

Susan Stein, MMC, CPM, Current President of the Arizona Municipal Clerks Association (AMCA)
City of Bullhead City

How many years have you served as a clerk?  11 years as clerk, total of 20  years in government

Where are you originally from? Rochester, New York

What is the craziest question you have been asked by a resident?  A woman who claimed she was Elvis Presley’s daughter came into City Hall and demanded that I provide her with the necessary records as proof.

What is your favorite memory as a city/town clerk?  Receiving a visit from 90-year old Alona, the first city clerk for Bullhead City, and learning the city named a street after her called “Alona’s Way,” because everyone had to do things her way- which was the “Right Way.”

Diane Russell, MMC
Town of Prescott Valley

How many years have you served as a clerk?  Deputy town clerk for nine years and town clerk 13 years.

Where are you originally from?  Born in St. Louis and grew up in Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada.

What is the strangest/most unique task you have had to perform as part of your duties?  Snake catcher!  When a little red racer snake was slinking across the floor in our records center everyone deserted me, leaving me to catch it and take it outside.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?  Mentoring those who will follow me in the municipal clerk profession is something I enjoy doing.  Nothing is more rewarding than helping a ‘new recruit’ discover that continuing education leads to success.

Cris Meyer
City of Phoenix

How many years have you served as a clerk?  24 years in the city clerk department with five years as city clerk.

Where are you originally from?  Indianapolis, Indiana

What is the craziest question you have been asked by a resident?  A voter asking about the procedure to change their vote the day after the election.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?  Working with other clerks and staff who are so dedicated to serving the public, and being able to assist people who are uncertain about where to go or are intimidated about interacting with government when they need information or records.

 Kim L. Larson, CMC
City of Page

How many years have you served as a clerk?  Eight years in department and three and a half years as clerk.

Where are you originally from?  Boulder City, Nevada

What is the most rewarding part of your job?  Being able to serve the citizens of our city, working with city council, preserving the records for the city’s history, and initiating new ideas and programs to streamline the workload.

What is your favorite memory as a city/town clerk?  One of my most favorite memories was the second grade class coming to city hall to learn about elections.  The mayor was present and talked to the students about an election, and when he asked if there were any questions, they all wanted to know about the large key on the wall and what it opened!

Brigitta Kuiper, MMC
City of Tempe

How many years have you served as a clerk?  Six and a half years in Tempe. Prior to that, 12 years as city clerk in Yuma. 

Where are you originally from?  Charlotte, North Carolina

What is the most rewarding part of your job?  Working with community members to increase their knowledge of city government, programs and services, and seeing them become actively involved in their city.

What is your favorite memory as a city/town clerk?  My favorite memories are working with city staff and various election officials to coordinate election activities and working late into the night on election night to count ballots and distribute results.

Facility Manager
Chandler Senior Center

Until five years ago, City of Chandler employee Nancy Jackson spent most of her time working with young people as a Recreation Coordinator at Snedigar Sportsplex in south Chandler. Today, she manages the Chandler’s Senior Center and works with the young at heart.

“I’ve always loved to be around seniors; this is where my heart is,” Jackson says smiling. A graduate of the University of Washington with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Jackson, her staff and groups of volunteers spend each weekday making people feel welcome, appreciated and loved.

For many who come here, this is not their ‘second home’, this is their first home,” Jackson explained. “This is where they come to meet up with their friends, who they also call their ‘family’. They socialize. They talk in the morning over coffee. They read the newspaper and play games. Most will have lunch, and for some, this is their only hot meal of the day.”

Located in downtown near the Chandler Public Library, the Senior Center was built in 1986 and provides a broad range of recreational and social activities for seniors – including an onsite weekday meal – that enhances the social, emotional and recreational needs of participants.

“What we like to focus on is making meaningful connections,” says Jackson. “That’s what life is about; meaningful relationships. We help stimulate those relationships by offering games and activities and excursions so they can interact with each other and with staff. It’s all about living and experiencing life and being surrounded by people you love and care about.”

Jackson says most of the activities at the Center require no fee, and field trips and excursions can cost as little as $5. Outside agencies supplement some of the Center’s activities with services such as legal consultations, blood pressure screenings, peer counseling and wheelchair and walker repair.

A number of seniors volunteer their time to work at the Center, serving meals, wiping down tables, setting up rooms or taking out the trash and recyclables. Jackson’s two sons, 18-year-old D.J. and 15-year-old Brody, have even joined the volunteer staff and helped out at events.

“When we go out in the community to promote the Senior Center, we say ‘come one time and you’ll want to come back’,” Jackson exclaimed. “Once they get here and see the hustle and bustle and energy that’s in this building, they’ll want to come back.”