Candidate: Charles German, Camp Verde resident of 64 years
Age: 81
Current or past profession: Classroom teacher and educational administrator
Q: Why are you qualified to serve on the council?
A: “Elected Camp Verde offices: Served 7½ years as mayor; school board member, served as president and clerk several times, 12 years; secretary treasurer, fire chief and fireman, Volunteer Fire Department, 10 years; served in volunteer civic organizations: President of the Library Association; president and meeting chairman of the Camp Verde Library Endowment; leadership positions within local church organizations, 52 years.
Professional skills: Organization and management; personal talents include working and empowering people.”
Q: How would you help advise the completion of the Camp Verde Sports Complex?
A: “Ask council to continue to leverage its funds with other organizations while pursuing additional grants, public and private. Expand opportunities with exploration of partnerships public and private, with local school districts, sports associations and organizations which could benefit from the completion of the complex.”
Q: How do you plan to balance growth while maintaining Camp Verde’s rural and Western lifestyle?
A: “Ensure that Council directs the required review of the general plan and the included character areas as mandated by the Arizona Legislature as municipalities plan for smart growth. This plan was developed by staff and citizens of Camp Verde, which describes how they wanted to see the Town of Camp Verde grow into the future. It was adopted in 2016 by a margin of 2 to 1 of the citizens of Camp Verde.
“Coupled with that is the effective enforcement through the Community Development Department including Planning and Zoning Committees and the Board of Adjustments and Appeals. Review the training provided to those volunteers who apply for those critical positions to ensure compliance with the general plan. The town has been divided into various character areas with its own unique descriptors, highlighting its own ‘unique characteristics.’
“It provides information for those coming to Camp Verde to better decide which area fits and suits them best. The general plan with its character areas is the marching orders to council and staff from the electorate on where and how they would like to see their town grow into the future. It does preserve and ensures the maintenance of our rural and Western lifestyle.
“Included within the formula for balance with growth is the careful planning and development through the Economic Development Department. Essential to planning is an understanding and providing for the infrastructure support of any sustainable growth.
“It would be appropriate to determine how much privately-owned land is available within the town boundaries to be developed. It would then be appropriate to begin planning with the land owners about their future plans and how they would be essential in formulating future uses of their properties with the consideration of their property’s particular location within a specific character area within the town’s general plan. Future planning would give a good base for other considerations, for example: Housing needs, calculations of future water needs and other calculations of infrastructural needs.”
Q: What is your vision for economic development in Camp Verde, especially along the State Route 260 corridor?
A: “Encourage the council to review the projects, especially utility infrastructure currently being planned or on hold and determine which would bring revenues into the town and complete them in the order of cost and benefit first. Also review economic possibilities on the West 260 corridor.”
Q: What kind of direction would you give to the incoming Town Manager?
A: “I would stress the council to observe the council-manager form of governance and be available to assist the new manager in learning her new town which she has come to serve. I would also encourage her to never hesitate to ask for assistance from council members in the quest of her service.”
Camp Verde Town Council Election
Mayoral candidates (one four-year seat):
- Charles German, challenger
- Dee Jenkins, incumbent
Council candidates (three four-year seats)
- Terry Andrews, challenger
- Jackie Baker, incumbent
- Brian Bolton, challenger
- Kai Buchanan, challenger
- Robert Foreman, challenger
- Dan Inman, challenger
- Jerry “Geronimo” Martin, challenger
- Jessie Murdock, incumbent
- Thomas “T.C.” Noble, challenger
- Patricia Seybold, challenger
