KINGMAN – Education and the Flying Fortress were the two topics seemingly on most Kingman residents’ minds at the non-partisan candidate forum last Thursday, June 4.
“I just want to hear what the candidates have to say about the education literacy rate,” said resident Amy Carrera. “I read an article that the literacy rate was 35 percent for Kingman high school graduates. How are they going to college?”
She continued, “Arizona is 48th on the list of all the states and Kingman is low on Arizona’s list.”
Present at the meeting was current Mayor Ken Watkins, who is up for re-election; Kingman City Council candidates Shawn Savage and Marion “Smiley” Ward; and Kingman United School District (KUSD) school board candidates Jeri Wolsey and John Venega.
Scheduled but not present were mayoral candidate Mark “Doc” Berry, city council candidates Elliot Chalew and Jim Dykes, and KUSD school board candidate Karmel Ros.
The candidates were each given four minutes to campaign or tell why they should get votes on election day.
Mayor Watkins said, “Why keep me in office? Just like a ship, why would we change course?”
He added, “Some want growth, but some want to slow growth. They want all this retail here but it’s not gonna happen until we get more people here.”
Marion “Smiley” Ward said he’s all for public safety, police, fire; that we need to follow through on every street, complete Fortress Parkway, Kingman Crossing and make downtown better.
Shawn Savage, current council member since 2018, said with his background he believes he can help. He stated they pushed through Flying Fortress. He also said there are currently 12K single homes in Kingman and they want to build 20K more in the next three years. “Ridiculous!” Savage said. “We don’t have the builders. We don’t have the people.”
Jeri Wolsey stated that she was with KUSD for more than 30 years, as an assistant in classrooms, then a teacher, assistant principal, director and assistant superintendent. “I feel like I can bring a lot of experience, knowledge and guidance to the board,” she said.
John Venega said he was a teacher and coach at Kingman High School (KHS), principal at White Cliffs High School, assistant principal and athletic director at KHS. “I just want to be able to give back to the students and the district that has been so good to me for 33 years,” Venega said.
Flying Fortress Parkway, formerly called Rancho Santa Fe, will be a crossover interchange over I-40 and will improve freight movement and traffic and open up opportunities for commercial building.
Mayor Watkins said a ribbon cutting for Kingman Crossing is scheduled for the end of August to keep Kingman moving forward.
Several asked how can we grow and still keep that small town feel.
Ward answered, “That small town feel is up to the community.” Mayor Watkins agreed.
Most of the growth will be to the north and to the east, Ward said.
Mohave County Recorder Lydia Henry reminded everyone that early voting will begin June 24, either by requested ballot or in person through July 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Since Mohave County is precinct-based polling, you must vote in the precinct where you live.
If not yet registered to vote, the last day to do so is June 22.
For questions or more voter information, call 928-753-9241.
