“I hadn’t spent a lot of time in the area, so my husband and I drove around the town and kind of looked at what Chino Valley was about and spent some time eating in restaurants. We really just immediately fell in love with the surroundings, the people. And, that’s what really made me decide to throw my hat in the ring.” Cindy Blackmore previously previously was the public works director for 16 years in the City of Avondale.
Community
A group of volunteers have organized and are upgrading the Town’s 9/11 memorial. In 2012 since-retired police Chief Mark Garcia learned that the 9/11 commission was giving away steel from the Twin Towers. He applied to get some and was awarded. The steel is welded into the silhouettes of 9/11 first responders and a K-9 and was placed on a pentagon shaped concrete foundation in 2013.
The volunteer group, led by Larry Holt, asked the Town Council to fix up the 9/11 memorial and they approved. This inspired Holt to form the 9/11 Memorial Improvement Project Committee with Chino Valley’s Police Chief Chuck Wynn and Compass Training Center CEO John Stankewitz.
Holt and volunteers have spent countless hours bringing this project alive. The 10 volunteers include Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority and citizens, as well as 18-year-old Chino Valley native Beth Viceroy, who is raising money for a plaque. Included in the project are pavers that can purchased in the name of a family name or business, flags to be placed behind the memorial, benches and a shade.
The plan is to have everything done this year by the 20th anniversary of the attack. For more information, please visit the Chino Valley 911 page on facebook.com.
Chino Valley Events
Fourth of July is on! Welcome to the most family friendly event in the Quad Cities. There will be no entrance fee, tailgating is encouraged. Bring your own coolers and blankets to sit out under the stars at Old Home Manor. From Route State 89, go east on Perkinsville Road, in about 2 miles Old Home Manor is on the north (left side) of Perkinsville Road.
For more information, contact Chino Valley Parks and Rec at 928-636-9780. Event subject to cancellation due to weather or fire restrictions.
