Tom Thurman was first elected to the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors for District 2 in 2004. After serving the county for 16 years, Thurman decided not to run for re-election this year.
Six candidates are running in the Republican Primary to replace Thurman as District 2 Supervisor on Aug. 4. No Democrats are running for the position. Each candidate has been given space in this week’s news- paper to introduce themselves. Tony Ontiveros did not provide his introduction by our deadline and has not been included.
Brandi Bateman
I am Brandi Bateman, life-long conservative Republican, raised right here in Yavapai County and the place where I grew my family. My family roots run deep in Yavapai County.
I have been working with the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors for the past two-and-a-half-years. My commitment has always been to serve my community; I currently serve on several local governing boards and civic groups. I owned and operated my own small business in the Verde Valley and understand the joys and challenges of business ownership.
I have the experience, knowledge and understanding to be your county supervisor. District 2 has been well served for the past 16 years and I desire to pick up that torch of providing service, resources and answers to my communities. Doing the good work and the hard work is a priority for me and partnership is the strength of that success.
Bob Burress
I’m a true Yavapai County native and retired from Yavapai County’s Roads department where I worked throughout these communities for 31 years.
I understand the importance of keeping our rural way of life protected. It is important for us to manage our growth, be fiscally responsible, as well as preserve our limited resources.
We need to manage the growth we have in the area by sticking to our existing standards to limit high density developments. As far as traffic goes we need to be able to have options avail- able and plans in place before they are needed. If we wait too long to include alternate routes, the cost goes up and the options go down. The effects on the neighborhoods are much larger once the area becomes built out.
We can do a better job of spreading the tax burden out if we use sales/gas tax, which would utilize tourism dollars.
Wiley Cline
I am a fourth-generation Arizonan, born and raised in Gila County. After retiring from law enforcement in 2001, I moved to Cornville to work on widening State Route 89A between Cottonwood and Sedona. I met my wife, Michelle, and have lived here since.
Our board is not representing Yavapai County’s taxpayers. We must roll back spending, including an immediate stop to Verde Connect and the $86 million Judicial complex.
If elected, I will bring honesty, integrity and common sense to the board. I will not only represent my District, but the whole county. I want to unite District 2 and put an end to “this” side of the mountain or “that” side of the mountain. We are all one district in Yavapai County.
I aim to have an office in District 2, which the current Supervisor does not. I want to keep our rural area rural, with fiscal responsibility and accountability.
James Gregory
My name is James Gregory. I have resided in District 2 for the last 37 years and have raised my family here. I’m a U.S. Air Force Veteran and have spent over 30 years in law enforcement with 25 years in our area.
I’m currently a police patrol lieu- tenant over patrol, K-9 and SWAT. I have a long history of solid leadership experience throughout my career in law enforcement, building relation- ships and working together with the community. I have been married for 26 years with two adult children.
I will be a leader for the people and I will fight to protect our rural community, to include protecting the county’s natural resources. I have experience in managing large budgets and under- stand what it means to be a good steward of public funds. I am a life- long Republican that is conservative that is committed to making Yavapai County a great place to live.
Jodi Rooney
This college-educated professional served in leadership positions at the Arizona Department of Transportation. Her career experience also included Administrator for CYMPO, a Yavapai County transportation planning organization.
Rooney has proven experience in capturing funding for critical projects and bringing them to completion. Her extensive experience includes serving on boards, councils and commissions. This leader worked 18 years in public service — at the local, regional and state level, including federal process — most recently serving as Council member for the Town of Prescott Valley.
Focus areas included sound financing and administration of county government; public safety, including support for the Yavapai Justice and Mental Health Coalition; emergency Management, including support for Firewise communities; regional roads, trails and transportation funding and regional collaboration with other governmental bodies.
Jodi Rooney is married to Casey Rooney, recently retired city of Cottonwood Economic Development director.
