Aguirre, Jones honored
An Arizona organization is honoring two of Yuma's legislators.
The League of Arizona Cities and Towns presented Sen. Amanda Aguirre, D-Yuma, with the Friend of Cities and Towns Award and Rep. Russ Jones, R-Yuma, with the Legislative Champion Award.
Aguirre received her award for support of the relationship between local and state government, according to an announcement from the Arizona Senate.
“The state and cities need to continue to strengthen their relationships as we go into this next legislative session and work to rebuild Arizona's economy. This is especially critical in Yuma County where unemployment is 23 percent and La Paz County, which is over 10 percent — both higher than the state average,” she said citing the Arizona Workforce Employment Report released Aug. 19.
Ken Strobek, executive director for the league, said Jones is a fantastic legislator.
“He really stayed in touch with his communities in the Yuma area and was a great defender of local control and local decision making,” he said. “He was courageous in helping us amend some sections of Senate Bill 1070 and really stood up and was a great friend of cities and towns and the citizens of our community.
“I can't say enough about how helpful he's been and what an outstanding, intelligent and courageous legislator he is.”
In addition to his league honor, Jones was gven an appointment by House Speaker Kirk Adams to the Executive Committee for the Council of State Governments and the Border Security Commission, created by House Bill 2162.
“We are very fortunate to have a legislative team that has always been responsive to the city's needs,” said Yuma Mayor Al Krieger in the announcement regarding Aguirre's award. “It is a proven fact that most of the economic activity that provides the state with their sales tax revenue is generated within the local cities and towns.”
The League of Arizona Cities and Towns represents the 90 incorporated cities and towns in Arizona at the state Legislature. The major population base of legislative District 24 is the city of Yuma.
For more information about the organization, visit www.azleague.org.
Stephanie A. Wilken can be reached at swilken@yumasun.com or 539-6857.
