Three candidates are running for three open seats on the Patagonia Town Council on August 4, 2020: Anita Francesca Claverie and incumbents Ron Reibslager and Michael Stabile. This is a non-partisan race. The candidates were provided questions or topics by email. Some questions and answers have been edited/paraphrased for space.
Anita Francesca Claverie
Why are you running for Patagonia Town Council?
I’ve loved Patagonia since I first moved here and am continually inspired and grateful to learn and interact with our vibrant and unique community. I’m interested in seeing our town council include individuals who are younger and work here in town, and there’s no time like the present to step up!
What experiences/personal qualities do you have that would make you a good council member?
I have always been interested in listening to the different sides of local issues and am a compassionate and caring person. I grew up on a rural farm on the U.S./Mexico border and there are many similar environmental and economic issues that rural border communities face that are near and dear to my heart.
What are your top goals, if elected to the Town Council?
I would like to see more town support of local projects and public infrastructure that benefit residents in our town, and more involvement from younger, working residents in our town politics.
What do you think are the top two challenges facing the town in the next five years?
1. Community cohesion over the local mining projects;
2. Depressed economic opportunities from coronavirus fallout.
What is the biggest challenge that you see to economic growth in Patagonia?The biggest challenge I see is the destabilization of economic opportunities through coronavirus related recession and changes in eco-tourism for both small businesses and local organizations.
Name:
Anita Francesca Claverie
Residence: How long? In Patagonia since 2013.
Education/licenses/
certifications//militaryBachelors from UC Davis in Native American Studies and International Agricultural Development.
Recent employment: Native Plant Materials Program Manager at Borderlands Restoration Network.
Community organizations/
activities:
The Arizona Native Plant Society Santa Cruz chapter. Board of Directors at the Patagonia Regional Times and
Previous public office/service:
First time running for public office.
Learn more at: https://www.borderlandsrestoration.org/fran-bio.html
Ron Reibslager
Why are you running for Patagonia Town Council?
I am running for council to maintain what I feel is the strong and balanced council that we now have
What are your top goals, if elected to the Town Council?
My top goals are the complete overhaul of the towns sanitation plant and helping to get our budget in control and balanced.
What do you think are the top two challenges facing the town in the next five years?
Top two challenges are maintaining our air and water quality while enjoying some limited growth.
What is the biggest challenge that you see to economic growth in Patagonia?
The biggest challenge I see is the town enjoying some economic growth while not falling prey to outside industrial interests.
What are the top accomplishments of your current term?
Top accomplishments are the hiring of our current town manager which I feel is the best we have ever had since I have lived here, as well as our town attorney/prosecutor who is doing a great job for us. Also the Mayor, Council and Town Manager have been working on solving problems that have been overlooked by previous administrations such as the sanitation plant needs, public works getting the equipment they need to safely do the job asked of them. Helping the Town Manager to deal with and solve problems of the general public and to restore faith in the Mayor,Council and the town government/staff which I feel is now fully in place to do so.
Name:
Ronald Lee Reibslager
Residence: How long? I’ve lived in Patagonia for 13 yrs. 9 months.
Education/licenses/
certifications//military
12 years education, Served 9 /12 years in the U.S. Marines and a combat veteran in Vietnam 1969.
Recent employment: Retired.
Community organizations/
activities:
Patagonia Town Councilman, currently serving 4 year term.
Michael Stabile
Why are you running for Patagonia Town Council?
I am running to help maintain the health, welfare, and quality of life of the people of Patagonia.
What are your top goals, if elected to the Town Council?
Replacing the wastewater treatment plant and making sure that if the South32 mining operation begins operation, their ore trucks do not come through the town.
What do you think are the top two challenges facing the town in the next five years?
Trying to maintain the Town financial viability and keeping the mining haul trucks out of town.
What is the biggest challenge that you see to economic growth in Patagonia?
Getting through this pandemic without losing any of our local businesses
What are the top accomplishments of your current term?
The hiring of Ron Robinson as our Town Manager.
Name:
Michael Stabile
Residence? How Long? 11 years in Patagonia
Education/licenses/
certifications//militaryBS in Geology. 30 graduate credits in Geology, stopped before writing Masters Thesis
Recent employment: Certified Rolfer, Board Certified Bodyworker
Community organizations/
activities:
Founded PARA (no longer part of the organization.)
Finishing first term as Town Councilman