Greg Blue is the newest commissioner on the Camp Verde Planning and Zoning Commission after winning unanimous approval from the Town Council at its June 22 meeting.
Blue, a licensed contractor, has long taken an interest in planning and zoning matters. Blue said he felt now was an ideal time for him to contribute to local government.
“I feel the town is in a very excellent spot with staff and the manager and the people on council,” Blue said. “I think it’s a good time to come on board.”
Blue takes over his seat from former Commissioner Alan Buchanan, who stepped down following his election to the Camp Verde Town Council earlier this year. It’s a short term, set to expire in January. Blue was the only person who applied to fill the vacancy, according to Camp Verde Town Clerk Debbie Barber.
“I think that even with more participation, Mr. Blue probably would have come out on top,” Councilwoman Robin Whatley said, pointing out that Blue had attended all of the Planning and Zoning Commission meetings over the last several months dealing with the massive project to rewrite the town’s zoning and land use codes. “He certainly has walked the walk.”
Blue has no lack of experience when it comes to serving on boards. A 10-year-resident of Camp Verde, Blue has served on the now-defunct housing commission and the Arizona Department of Transportation Bypass Commission. Before that, he served for seven years on the Cottonwood City Council, two years on the Cottonwood Planning and Zoning Commission and three years on the Cottonwood Development and Review Board.
Blue said he thinks the town has the right team together to make decisions that will benefit Camp Verde, decisions that need to be made while taking into consideration where the town will be 10 to 20 years from now.
“We need to be ready when the economy turns around again,” Blue said. “We’re going to see growth.”
Blue said he was happy with the job Town Manager Russ Martin was doing, particularly the “ownership” he feels Martin took with finishing the zoning code rewrite.
Blue is also serving on the Camp Verde Sanitary District Board, to which he was appointed after Commissioner Ben Bueler moved outside of the district.
“I stay pretty involved,” Blue said.
“I think he’ll make a very good addition to our Planning and Zoning Commission,” Councilwoman Carol German said.
