KINGMAN – District 4 Mohave County Supervisor-elect Don Martin is anxious to take office in place of the retiring Jean Bishop early next year. The Kingman republican said retaining Bishop’s administrative assistant Linda Owens will provide a seamless transition and a proven, dedicated talent.
“She’s done a great job for Jean. She comes highly recommended,” Martin said. “She and I have had a number of talks about what we’re going to do, how things are going to be done and we’re on the same page.”
Martin said demands for his time have increased dramatically since the Nov. general election.
“If you looked at my schedule prior to the election and you look at it now, there is no time. It’s really something,” Martin said. “It’s incredible. It really is and it gives me an idea of what is expected down the road.”
Accordingly, Martin comes to a career crossroads of sorts as he intends to shut down his multi-decade involvement as outdoor hunting and fishing guide as a professional enterprise.
“I feel that my first and most important priority is the county now,” Martin said. “While I will still be involved with the outdoors, with sportsmen and with issues that affect us, I’m not going to be a professional guide or outfitter anymore.”
Martin said he hasn’t yet decided if he’ll continue as an outdoor columnist and journalist, given time constraints. But, he intends to continue to enjoy personal outdoor recreation experience going forward while he expands his advocacy for responsible stewardship in office.
“I appreciate public lands and understand I think really what that means to the general public because the people want access to public lands,” Martin said. “I will fight to keep them open for public usage.”
Being accessible is important to Martin.
“I don’t care at this point whether you voted for me, whether you’re a Democrat, Independent, Green, Republican, that door to District 4 is open,” Martin said. “If you want to talk, you call, we will talk. Nobody is going to be shut out from the District 4 supervisor’s office.”
Martin said he feels a weight of responsibility in representing people he’s known for five decades as a tidal wave of change bears down on northwest Arizona.
“We know it’s a tsunami that’s coming. It’s way out in the ocean, but it’s coming and it’s coming fast and we’re going to deal with it,” he said. “I’m going to try to do my best to represent those people who put their trust and faith in me when they voted for me.”
Dave Hawkins
