Candidate: Patricia Seybold, Camp Verde resident of five years
Age: 72
Current or past profession: “I am currently retired from public service after dedicating a major portion of my professional career to supporting and advocating for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities at the legislative level for the state of Kentucky.”
Q: Why are you qualified to serve on council?
A: “I spent a large portion of my career working with [Kentucky] legislators to create legislation designed and implemented to support and enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities. Through this work, I gained an understanding of the importance of bringing diverse groups together to craft legislation that meets important individual and community needs. This involved closely working with clients, the general public and [Kentucky] state legislators while directing a staff of six people and answering to 26 governor-appointed board members. In this capacity, I was responsible for developing and administering a budget of $1.3 million of state and federal funding.
“Importantly, my work often required me to act as a mediator in order to negotiate and resolve differences in opinion and preferences. I have learned that it is often most important to speak less and listen more. This is a skill that I believe is necessary in order to ensure that I, as a town council member, understand and consider the needs of the overall community that I am serving.”
Q: How would you help advise the completion of the Camp Verde Sports Complex?
A: “The sports complex is an important asset to Camp Verde that has yet to reach its full potential as a recreational facility. As a council member, I will carefully listen to and consider issues, concerns and requests brought forward by town staff and citizens. I will participate in making decisions that comport with budgetary constraints and planning that allows for the timely completion of the high-quality complex envisioned and designed for use by Camp Verde residents and visitors.”
Q: How do you plan to balance growth while maintaining Camp Verde’s rural and Western lifestyle?
A: “Over the years, Camp Verde residents have consistently and continually voiced their support for maintaining Camp Verde’s rural and Western lifestyle. The current Camp Verde General Plan approved by voters in 2016 designates character areas specifically identified and designed to direct and balance growth while retaining Camp Verde’s rural Western lifestyle and high quality of life. As a council member, I will use this plan as a firm guide on which to base decisions about proposed development in our community, in addition to listening to concerns of residents potentially impacted by proposals brought before council.
“The Camp Verde Town Council is currently working to develop and approve the town’s 2025 budget. It is critical to identify various revenue streams that lessen dependence on any one source that, if reduced, will negatively impact current and future projects. For example, recent state funding is lower than previous years so the council in partnership with town staff will need to find revenue streams that meet the needs of the town.
“For example, business development that complements Camp Verde’s rural Western lifestyle will generate sales tax revenue as will the development of small businesses that provide goods and services to Camp Verde residents and visitors who come here to enjoy the national monuments, state parks, Verde River and other amenities that Camp Verde has to offer.”
Q: What is your vision for economic development in Camp Verde?
A: “My vision of the State Route 260 corridor is one that includes business that offer employment opportunities to residents and pay wages that meet or exceed a basic standard of living; meet the needs for goods and services of local and regional residents; and complement our physical location so that the viewsheds of this beautiful region are not compromised.”
Q: What kind of direction would you give to the incoming town manager?
A: “The town manager serves as a critical intermediary between the council, town employees and Camp Verde residents. I would encourage the incoming town manager to listen, learn and use her educational background and professional skills to recommend, develop and present well-considered proposals to the council, and to conscientiously manage staff performance. A critical part of that management is ensuring that town departments work together in an integrated and coordinated fashion so a high quality of life can be enjoyed by all of our citizens.”
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
