Candidate: Cynthia Malla, Clarkdale resident of 17 years
Age: 70
Current or past profession: Nurse
Q: Why are you qualified to serve on council?
A: “I retired from a 43-year career in nursing in 2022. Part of my career was in nursing management. However, I love, and have always preferred to be, at the bedside, caring for patients and mentoring new nurses. I have cared for a wide range of patients from pediatrics to patients at the end of life. I worked at Verde Valley Medical Center in Cottonwood for 16 years. The last three years of my career, arguably the most difficult of my career, I cared for members of our community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I realize that a background in nursing is not typical for an elected official. I have spent my life so far nurturing people, not nurturing a political career. However, I have skills, learned over many decades, that are applicable to being an effective mayor. I am able to lead, as well as function as a team member. I know how to adapt and stay calm in difficult situations. I am a problem solver. I can communicate succinctly. For instance, I can take a complex issue, break it down and explain it clearly. I know how to meet a person where they are and not where I would like them to be. I am able to listen carefully to all sides of an issue. It is important to me that the people of Clarkdale have their voices heard.
“I served from 2017-22 on Clarkdale’s Parks and Recreation Commission. I brought the problem of the deteriorating Selna-Mongini and Caballero Parks to the commission. It was very important to me, and to everyone else involved in this process, that citizens living around those parks had a voice in deciding how they wanted those parks to be.
“I’m a mother of two grown sons and a grandmother of three. I understand the importance of creating a safe and viable world that they will someday inherit.
“I have never held an elected office but neither did either of the previous two mayors of Clarkdale before they were elected. I’m well aware that if elected I will have a lot to learn, and quickly. I feel that I am more than up to the task of leading Clarkdale as your mayor and am looking forward to the challenge.”
Q: How should the town keep Clarkdale’s downtown historic yet encourage businesses to open and develop it economically?
A: “Over the years, we have seen business after business decline to locate in downtown Clarkdale. In order to change this, we need to:
■ “Work closely with potential and existing businesses to find out what they need in order to succeed, what they look for when deciding whether to invest in a community and what their barriers to success are. Then we need to work to help them succeed.
■ “Owners of the historic buildings in the downtown area that are in the process of renovating should have the full support and assistance of the town in completing their projects so that new businesses can move in.
■ “Clarkdale needs to join most other municipalities that have historic assets and pass the Historic Preservation Ordinance. Passing an ordinance for the downtown commercial district covering the buildings on the National Register of Historic Places would enable the town to help facilitate the conversion of historic buildings for modern use by clarifying and streamlining the process for design and planning approval. It would also provide stability within the area covered by the ordinance. Owners would know that buildings in their vicinity would be much less likely to be demolished or subjected to inappropriate renovations.
“There are, understandably, concerns among historic building owners about what an ordinance could mean for them and their properties. Acting in good faith and respectful dialog between all parties is the way forward to a solution that will benefit everyone.”
Q: Why is the town’s trail master plan and improvements to local parks important for residents and visitors?
A: “Research has shown that the presence of green spaces raises property values while enhancing quality of life for citizens. They positively impact mental, emotional and physical health. Water is saved by using techniques such as xeric landscaping and recycled water for irrigation. The trail plan and the parks will provide sustainable outdoor places for residents and visitors of every age to enjoy.”
Q: How should the town balance resident growth while remaining a small, historic town?
A: “The Highlands will likely be back at some time in the future. It is not possible to stop growth in Arizona. If a developer submits a proposal, it must be considered, by law. However, by being proactive, we can influence how growth happens. The citizenry must be involved in this process.”
Q: How should the town encourage Yavapai College to bring more programs back to the Verde Valley campus in Clarkdale?
A: “According to the 2020 census, one third of Yavapai County’s population lives in the Verde Valley. Seventy-two percent of this population pays property taxes to support post-secondary education. Despite this, there is little equity between the east and west. This adversely affects not only our citizens, but it negatively affects the Verde Valley’s economy. A coalition of governing bodies needs apply pressure to the college governing board to better meet our post-secondary educational needs.”
Editor’s Note: The print version of this Q&A was edited for space.
Clarkdale Town Council Election
Mayoral candidates (one four-year seat):
- Robyn Prud’homme-Bauer, incumbent
- Cynthia Malla, challenger
Council Candidates (two four-year seats)
- Amanda Arnold, challenger
- Marney Babbitt-Pierce, incumbent
- Debbie Hunseder, incumbent
- Nathan Porter, challenger
