During his first appearance as mayor of Cottonwood, Timothy Elinski wondered aloud why anyone would seek public office.
“After this election, I don’t know why anyone would run,” Elinski said during the Cottonwood City Council regular meeting Dec. 6. He called the campaign between President-elect Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton “ugly” and “vitriolic.”
According to Elinski, avoiding the topic of national politics during his own run for local office was nearly impossible: “It was the first thing on everyone’s mind …. I really talked my way around it a lot.”
Elinski questioned the manner in which national political figures — particularly presidential contenders — are put through a microscope of public scrutiny, and lamented what he sees as a similar trend in local politics.
At the same time, Elinski noted that investment in one’s community is essential for the well-being of its members.
“We’re certainly not Hillary Clintons or Donald Trumps,” Elinski said. “We’re just normal people doing the best we can …. [And] we are the ones who make the biggest impact on your lives.”
Elinski urged his fellow city councilmen and councilwomen to introduce themselves — including the council’s two just-elected members, Deb Althouse and Tosca Henry.
“I’m very active in Cottonwood with veterans and animals,” Althouse said.
“I welcome any feedback on city matters,” Henry said.
All council members, including the mayor, reminded the public that contact information for elected officials is made public via the city of Cottonwood website.
Elinski announced that he had met with Clarkdale Mayor Doug Von Gausig and discussed the possibility of Cottonwood co-hosting the Verde Valley Wine Festival — an event that premiered successfully in May and is coming to Clarkdale again in 2017.
“Leadership in both communities are interested in hosting this event,” Elinski said, but added that no firm plans have been made.
During the meeting’s call to the public, Cottonwood Planning and Zoning Commission member Bob Williams addressed the council as a private community member, applauding the city for its managed growth in the past.
“Since 2007, we’ve been in a development slump, a recession, but that is rapidly changing,” Williams said, reminding the council that living in the desert places singular demands upon the water supply and needs to be managed accordingly.
Williams recommended the adoption of a water budget similar to the one used by the city of Prescott, which affects new development.
“Once that annual budget is met, new development is stopped for that year,” Williams said.
As a non-agenda item, no action was taken by the council, though Cottonwood City Manager Doug Bartosh said that he would put Williams into contact with Cottonwood Director of Natural Resource Tom Whitmer, a former official with the Arizona Department of Water Resources.
“Certainly, water will be an issue for the council,” Elinski added.
