One-on-one with the governor
In a sit-down interview after the State of the State address, the Yuma Sun asked Gov. Doug Ducey a few questions.
Have you taken a stand in the GSC Farm/Greenstone request to transfer water from the Colorado River to Queen Creek?
“This is an issue we were made aware of during my last visit to Yuma. Of course we want to protect Arizona water, we want to protect groundwater. We’re getting to the bottom of what’s happening here, and making sure we have the facts. But it’s something we definitely want to be helpful with.”
Why was it important to you to visit Amberly’s Place?
“This is a place for kids that have been in just terrible situations of sexual abuse or domestic violence, and spouses can go find help. We wanted to go there because it’s an issue at the state level. When we came into office five years ago, the Department of Child Safety was possibly the most broken agency in the entire country, and today Arizona is being used as a model on how to take care of our most vulnerable.
“Amberly’s Place is part of that. Diane Umphress is a part of that. She’s a real leader, and they are an example, in the hardworking social workers that are there along with law enforcement, (who) are making a real difference. So we want to take those best practices, and unfortunately, it’s not just a community of Yuma that has this issue. This is happening all over our state and all over the country. We want to see it reduced. I’d love to see it eliminated, but this is something where good people can come together and really make a difference for young people and spouses.”
Why did you decide to deliver your State of the State in Yuma?
“I look for any excuse to get out of the state capital, but it’s also important because Arizona has 15 counties … There are needs outside of the great state of Maricopa. We are in a position as a state where we have additional revenues, and we want to make sure we have targeted strategic investments that bring these resources to these communities that can not only benefit our citizens but can improve the quality of life and economic opportunity for everyone.”
Is there a message you want to share with the community?
“I just want to say thanks for all the good work that’s coming out of Yuma. Very proud of course, always, of the ag community, but what I saw at Amberly’s Place and teachers and superintendents in Yuma County, La Paz, Somerton, is something unbelievably impressive, so we want to have more resources coming so you can keep getting the great results for our young people and it’ll make our state a better state to live in the future generations.”