Meet the candidates: Wellton Town Council
Editor’s Note: Nine candidates are running for Wellton Town Council in the Aug. 28 primary. Iliana Agundez, Kenneth Baughman, Scott Blitz, Victor Frankfather, Sally Hawley and Lisa Jameson did not respond to the following questions.
ALEX BEJARANO
Age: 28 Office running for: Wellton Town Council
Employment: Community Liaison / Director of Public Relations & Marketing, Regional Center for Border Health, Inc.; Realtor, Century 21 Action Group.
Family: Chance and Rex, my 10 month old labs and my old cat, Luna.
Political Experience: I ran and was previously elected to the Wellton Town Council and served two terms from 2009 to 2016.
What is your background? What in your past experiences helps qualify you for this seat? I have the knowledge, energy and experience to help make Wellton a better place to live. I also have a background in real estate which I believe gives me insight into the economic outlook of our region. Having served on the council previously, I am familiar with town operations and know what it takes to successfully run a small municipality. I of course would be one of five members of the governing body and would strive to work well with the other four to ensure we have a good working relationship. What do you feel is the most
important duty of this office? The establishment of goals for our town, the oversight of the town manager to ensure that the public we are serving is getting the best possible customer service from its town representatives. We are at a point where we will need to make tough choices as to where we would like to see our town go and it is important to have town leadership with a vision and a plan.
If elected, what is the one issue on which you would focus on to improve Wellton’s quality of life? Because of Wellton’s proximity to the Foothills and Yuma, many people out of convenience do their shopping, dining, etc. there. My main priority would be to support the local businesses that we have in town and make it as easy as possible for new businesses to set up in Wellton. That goes the same for people wanting to live here. We are a safe, affordable place to live and I want more people to know that, I think that a better marketing strategy and again, less “red tape” would make it number one, known, and number two, easier. What is one thing you want
voters to know about you? The voters know me, they know I am accessible, that I will talk with anyone whether it be by appointment or at the grocery store and that I will follow up regarding any problems they may be having. That they can count on me and that together we can continue to make Wellton a safe and comfortable place to call home.
VICKIE BORNT
Age: 65 Office running for: Wellton Town Council
Family: Married to Frank Bornt Employment: Happily retired (after more than 36 years with the federal government)
Political Experience: Wellton Town Council from August 2014 through November 2016; served as Mayor Pro Tem from January 2015 through November 2016. Have continued to serve as Town of Wellton representative on the Western Arizona Council of Governments (WAGOG) Yuma County Advisory Council (current Chairman), Community Action Board, and Regional Council on Aging.
What is your background? What in your past experiences helps qualify you for this seat? I retired from YPG in 2009, and two positions I held that are relevant were the Director of Morale, Welfare & Recreation (MWR), and Sustainment Coordinator. At MWR, I had over 100 employees, managed multi-million dollar operating and capital improvement
budgets, and oversaw the running of diverse operations (hotel/ billeting, travel camp, restaurants, recreation facilities, child care center and youth services, and Army Community Services). As Sustainment Coordinator, I worked outside issues, like land that could impede YPG’s ability to conduct its mission by working closely with local legislators and the Governor’s office. My overall government experience gave a background in analyzing and managing diverse operations, and I established contacts to interact with at local, state, and federal levels. My years on the Council gave me the opportunity to help develop a path forward and to work with the town staff to overcome challenges faced along the way. Something I found very valuable was being the only council member attending the weekly staff meetings; it gave me the opportunity to be up on all ongoing issues. What do you feel is the most important duty of this office?
Being responsible to the community and supportive to the town staff.
If elected, what is the one issue on which you would focus to improve Wellton’s quality of life?
How? Continuing to improve the support to the community. Discussing increasing any kind of tax revenue is never a popular subject, so I would support continuing to pursue grants and other funding streams for the many programs that benefit our community and its members. What is one thing you want
voters to know about you? I love the town of Wellton and think it’s one of the best-kept secrets in Yuma County. I remain dedicated to the community as I have continued to represent it through my continued involvement in WACOG committees. Most importantly, I am not tied down with a full-time job which makes me readily available whenever I am needed, not just for scheduled town hall meetings.
CECILIA MCCOLLOUGH Age: 51 Office running for: Wellton Town Council
Family: Married. 2 Sons. Employment: My husband and I own and run Tier Drop RV Park as well as a small farm in Wellton.
Political Experience: I was elected to the town council of Wellton in 2009. In December of 2014, I was appointed mayor. Since that time, I have served as a member on the Executive Boards of the following: Western Arizona Council of Governments, Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation, 4FrontED Bi-National Economic Coalition, and the Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization.
What is your background? What in your past experiences helps qualify you for this
seat? Along with my considerable experience, I have a bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University –Yuma. Also, in May of 2018, I graduated from the Flinn Foundation’s FlinnBrown Academy for Civic Leadership. What do you feel is the most important duty of this office? I believe it is important to have integrity in our positions. The most important duty is to work well and collaborate with others to make the best decisions possible in every circumstance for today and for the future of everyone in Wellton.
If elected, what is the one issue on which you would focus to improve Yuma’s quality of life? How? One issue that is very important is promoting economic growth. Helping businesses be successful will benefit the entire town. Successful business requires that many factors work well together. There are resources available in our region from Arizona Western College and the local chambers to assist businesses success. In addition, it is important to assure a safe and secure community by supporting public safety and town services. What is one thing you want voters to know about you? I have served my community for over nine years on the Town Council and have served as Mayor for almost four. I am dedicated to serving the town I grew up in. We have a responsibility to continue to improve and thrive as a community for all who live here and for the children who are our future.