Not all happy with Brewer visit

Not everyone in Yuma was happy with Gov. Jan Brewer's visit and subsequent announcement Wednesday of $2 million in federal funds to establish a rural business advisory council for economic development.

About 20 people gathered at 1 p.m. Wednesday across the street from the Russell Coil plant at 3860 S. Arizona Ave. Officials with the plant announced late last month that the local manufacturing plant will close its doors and lay off about 150 people - with the first layoffs coming in October.

Sylvia Lopez was among those who came out Wednesday. Her husband is employed by Russell Coil. She spoke with the Yuma Sun with the help of her son, Omar.

Lopez said her husband has worked for the company for 20 years, and the news was definitely “shocking.”

She's been unemployed for about five and a half months, she said, and now their family situation is “even worse.”

“(It's) pretty devastating,” Lopez said.

Organizers said Brewer's stop in Yuma was nothing but a “publicity stunt.”

Luis Heredia, executive director of the Arizona Democratic Party, said with the announcement that Dole Fresh Vegetables will not open its Yuma plant this season, it's a “sense of emergency.”

The Dole plant employs more than 500 people during the Yuma winter vegetable season.

“When the state gets a cold, we get a drastic flu,” he said.

Heredia said that “somebody needs to hold (Brewer) accountable,” and that Arizona “needs a leader who is willing to be a quarterback for the state.”

Both Ramona Castro and Jesusita Salas said they worked for Dole. “We're looking for a job,” Salas said.

Attendees also include the Mayor of Somerton Martín Porchas and Wellton City Councilman Alex Bejarano.

Bejarano said he believes that job creation should be the No. 1 priority of officials.

All who spoke said Brewer's announcement Wednesday was not enough to help, though Bejarano did thank her for coming down and announcing the $2 million in funds.

Salas said she hopes the tide will change in Yuma County. “I feel very optimistic.”

Stephanie A. Wilken can be reached at swilken@yumasun.com or 539-6857.