Williams News Logo
Grand Canyon News Logo

Trusted local news leader for Williams AZ and the Grand Canyon

Letters to the editor

It's time for the city to grow

To the editor:

I am writing this letter in response to Annie Chavez Hollingshead's letter. Annie lives in New Mexico and no longer resides in Williams. I have to wonder if she moved because she was unable to find a decent paying job in Williams. I am also wondering if she would like Williams to remain the same so that she can still reminisce when visiting Williams.

Arizona is a desert state and every town and city in Arizona will have drought issues.

I would also like to voice my opinion on the Native American issue that was mentioned in this letter. I think it would be interesting to learn more about the Native American culture. I would hope that they would be proud to let Arizona visitors know more about their ancestors. Do they feel that they are not going to receive enough money for leasing the land, or is it the water issue? The Arizona Water Settlements Act gave Native Americans water rights and also millions of dollars. The government has been drilling wells in Wyoming to find natural gas. The ranchers were paid $1,000 only for every well the government placed on their land. These ranchers will have no rights to any natural gas that is found. They have drought issues and drilling these wells is consuming some of their water. Who has been taken for a ride?

I know how hard this drought has been, not only for Williams' citizens, but also for the animals in our forest. I also know that it's time for Williams to grow. We could use more decent paying jobs and more children for our schools. The fact that Arizona is the Desert State doesn't seem to inhibit growth in other towns and cities.

Laurie Harwood

Williams

Let's get along

To the editor:

Just one more run to Flagpole for stuff not available here in town. The man behind the counter asked me where I was from. When I said "Williams," he replied with, "What the heck is going on there with the sheriffs and police and Š?"

I stated that it's just small town stuff and that you'd really have to live there to even begin to get it. No, I wasn't embarrassed. But then I'm tall and ugly and walk with various limps and stumbles. I'm pretty tough stuff and not shamed easily. If I were a more tender soul Š

C'mon guys, can't we all just get along? They've heard of our foibles up there in the big city.

Laura Nagle

Williams

Does your home have fire

protection?

To the editor:

My wife and I live in the county ‹ north of Williams ‹ and have for about 15 years. We understood the rural life we chose, with no fire protection when we moved here. I look at and read about the beautiful homes people build in the county and wonder if they understand the same.

The city of Williams has a 100 percent volunteer fire department, as does Junipine Fire District (JFD). The city fire department is obligated to provide protection within the city limits and Junipine Fire Department is obligated to JFD, which consists of Junipine Estates and five bordering parcels.

Virtually all the tax revenue to support this protection comes from these residents. While both departments try to be good neighbors and supply some protection outside their borders, if they are able, they have no obligation to do so.

I helped establish JFD, and am a resident of the same. To tell you the truth Junipine Fire struggles to survive with the limited funding and volunteer help they receive. Many of the volunteer fire fighters live out of district and are wonderful people to provide the time they do. The city of Williams and their volunteers are just as great for helping out in emergencies, but they are not obligated to. This situation is true for all the areas surrounding Williams!

If you live in the county and want fire protection, I suggest you look into forming your own fire district, or look into being annexed into the city or an existing fire district. Coconino County Special Districts Office can provide you with information on forming fire districts.

Volunteer some time, please!

Bob Freson

JFD volunteer

Wild dogs at large in area

To the editor:

Several days ago my mate and I (who live in Junipine Estates) went hiking around Cataract Canyon near our home. We were standing right below the top rim on some huge rock outcroppings enjoying the scenery. We could clearly see Camp Civitan from our spot across the canyon.

We heard a dog bark, looked towards the sound and a dog appeared, trotting through the camp. Then another appeared, then another, then another and they just kept coming until there was a huge pack of dogs. All sizes, shapes and colors. I'm not positive of how many there were because everything happened so fast, but I'm guessing at between 10 and 20. I said "Oh no! That's a pack of wild dogs!"

Even though we were far from them (across the canyon) some of them obviously heard me because they looked towards us and began barking. Then all together, as a huge mass, they started running down into the canyon, headed straight for us! They were all barking, howling, yipping, the way dogs or coyotes do when they've spotted prey.

We virtually flew back up to the rim and ran for our lives! The barking and howling kept getting closer and closer and we were terrified. We had no weapons of any kind and even though our vehicle wasn't too far away, we knew with absolute certainty that we could not outrun them once they made it to the rim on our side.

I think what slowed them down was the huge rocks and boulders and rock outcroppings that they had to get up and over, because we made it back to our vehicle before they did. I have never been so scared in my life and I have been on many, many adventures throughout my life.

They could not have belonged to an individual, because who owns that many dogs and lets them run loose? Plus they acted very aggressive and chased us with no provocation.

The reason I am writing this letter is to alert people to the fact that they are out there. It would be absolutely horrible and tragic if that pack of  dogs came into a subdivision and found children playing outside or walking home from the bus stop.

Cindy LeJeune

Williams 

Couple expresses gratitude

To the editor:

We would like to thank Clean and Beautiful for having the city of Williams pick up our trash from our yard. It was a long day for the men that worked on the job.

We could not have done it by ourselves. Thank you, Williams Clean and Beautiful, especially Carol Glassburn and Dr. Wurgler. Carol Glassburn has done a lot for Williams and we take off our hat to her.

We would also like to thank Linda Dixon for offering to help paint our buildings, but the Arizona Rangers spoke first. We would also like to thank the other people that offered help.

We would like to thank the Sheriff's Department and its volunteers for stopping the traffic for Heath Jensen on the way to the cemetery for his burial.

We do not want to leave anyone out, so thanks to everyone that has and will be involved in this project.

Bill and Harriet Lockwood

Williams

Valentine's dance, dinner well-attended

To the editor:

The Valentine's Day Dinner Dance Committee wants to thank all of the many sponsors and volunteers for helping make the event a great success. A grand total of $834 was raised for the Greater Williams Community Fund. The romantic, western-flavored evening was attended by approximately 100 people who enjoyed the awesome music of the Williams Opry Band (Debi Campbell, Jan Bardwell, Lance Beavers and Phil Sanzari) and an incredibly delicious lasagna dinner was served, complete with chocolate dessert!

The superb food was prepared by Mary and K.C. Seidner of the Sheridan House Bed & Breakfast and professionally and efficiently served by the Williams 4-H Club under the supervision of Angela Hamby and Kelly Yazzie, assisted by Doris Ann Mertz and Dianna Scott. Harrison Hamby ‹ also known as the "Love Bug" ‹ was a real hit as he buzzed around the barn encouraging couples to hold hands, hug and dance.

The beautiful and romantic atmosphere was created and headed up by the talented Carol and Dave Martinez with tremendous help from Phil and Ruth Sanzari, Kay Zarlingo, Jim Jensen and Carol Romant. Carole Braden beautifully played her violin during dinner and Dennis and Jan Shirley Photography took professional photos of couples throughout the evening, donating $2 from each photo, which raised $80, that was generously donated to the Community Fund.

This event was made possible through the tireless effort, energy and resources of many of our local residents. The committee especially wants to thank Phil and Ruth Sanzari for their dedication and tireless efforts in ticket sales, advertising and entertainment and Jim and Peggy Jensen for their all-around help and support.

The committee extends a very special thanks and deep appreciation to the event sponsors including Alternative Impressions, Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce, city of Williams, Clips on 66, the Dollar Store of Williams, Grand Living Bed & Breakfast, Joys Flowers, Safeway, Sam's Club, Sheridan House Bed & Breakfast, Wild West Junction's Typhoon Saloon, Pine Country Restaurant and Joe and Cindy Farmer.

The committee also wishes to extend its sincere thanks and appreciation to the people of Williams who purchased tickets and attended the Valentine's Day Dinner Dance for their generosity and willingness to invest in the continued growth of the Greater Williams Community Fund. The money contributed will help provide for the many needs of organizations of Williams for many years to come. Thank you everyone!

Valentine's Day

Dinner Dance Committee


Donate Report a Typo Contact