Let's Talk Sierra Vista Podcast

As Water Awareness Month gets underway, we explore how the City manages our local sewer system and treats its wastewater to recharge the local aquifer. City of Sierra Vista Wastewater Supervisor Carl Schmutte and Wastewater Technician II Jerry Wallace share how they became passionate about this field and why this work is so important to our community. In the second segment of this episode, Friends of the San Pedro River President Ron Stewart joins us to talk about the importance of the river and to invite the community to a Celebrate the San Pedro event at the San Pedro House on Saturday, April 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

In our first episode of 2025, we talk with Sierra Vista Police Department Chief Chris Hiser and Deputy Chief Armin Lewis, highlighting recent initiatives and changes at the department, while also looking ahead to what their next priorities are. We learn about their approach to leadership, how they set the tone in the agency for both accountability and work/life balance, and how they each stay involved in the community.

For nearly 20 years, the City of Sierra Vista has displayed 53 Old World Santas in Veterans Memorial Park each holiday season. In this episode, we share some of the stories tied to these Santas, both the original ones made out of wood and paint, and the new ones on display today that were recreated to stand the test of time.

[1:20] Former Mayor Tom Hessler and Artist Sue Ann Vannoy talk about creating the original Old World Santas display for the City’s 50^th anniversary in 2006.

[27:01] Wesley and Donna Hewitt tell the story behind the Cookie Break Santa, which was sponsored in honor of City employee James Hodgson after he passed away.

[44:18] Amy Diesen shares how she sponsored the Weinachtsmann Santa in honor of her late son. The Weinachtsmann is one of the two latest Santas released as collectible ornaments.

[51:19] Jen Brown recounts how she became such an avid collector of the Old World Santas ornaments that her husband even made her a framed display.

[53:27] Steve Brown shares the story behind why his family sponsored the Swedish Tompte Santa in honor of Barbara Rydberg Brown, the great grandniece of Swedish Poet Laureat Viktor Rydberg, who authored the classic poem Tomten.  

Every day, all year long, the City of Sierra Vista impacts residents in countless ways big and small. As we celebrate Arizona Cities & Towns Week, we hear from some of those citizens who have benefited from City programs and services, as well as the staff that run them.

[1:13] First up, we hear from local mom Michelle Hennessy and Children’s Librarian Erica Merritt. Hennessy says she felt at home in her new community for the first time once she found the Sierra Vista Public Library.

[18:03] Next, we hear from City of Sierra Vista Business Liaison Dianna Cameron and the co-owners of Doc’s Watering Hole, Aaron Hennequin and Victoria Holts. They discuss what it’s like starting a new business in Sierra Vista and how the City helps business owners along the way.

[39:28] Adaptive Adult Recreation Program Coordinator Kevin Travis is joined by longtime participant in the program Amber Ray and her mom Deborah Baker as we talk about how this unique program has enriched Amber’s life.

[55:29] Mollie Shelton, the City recreation coordinator who runs the Art Studio, and artist Lanae Rogers talk about how the studio offers a welcoming, supportive, and affordable outlet for people who like to create art.

The Henry F. Hauser Museum celebrated its grand re-opening on Saturday, Aug. 24, featuring 50% more space and 100% more fun! In this episode we hear from Sierra Vista Historical Society Board Member Evan Messmer and Museum Curator Melissa Miller as share all the exciting new developments at the museum. Featuring a temporary exhibit of toys from the ‘80s, a new children’s discovery room, and a permanent exhibit space, the museum is well worth a visit this fall!

Hear how the City is working with BlackStar Orbital Technologies to bring new high-paying jobs to Sierra Vista as part of the company’s plans to create a spaceplane-satellite hybrid. With plans to develop an engineering and manufacturing facility at the Sierra Vista Municipal Airport in 2026, BlackStar looks forward to building and landing its BlackStar spacecraft here in Sierra Vista, while they will be launched from other sites in U.S. In this episode we’ll hear from BlackStar’s CEO Christopher Jannette and City of Sierra Vista Tourism & Economic Development Director Tony Boone to learn what steps the City is taking to make Sierra Vista one of just three space reentry sites in the United States, what it means for our community, and why we should all be excited about the rapidly expanding space industry! You can learn more about Blackstar at www.spacedrone.io/.

Did you know Sierra Vista is the Hummingbird Capital of Arizona? In this episode, we learn all about these incredible birds with the help of Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory Co-Founder Tom Wood and Southwest Wings President Chris Harbard. The City is partnering with these groups to celebrate Hummingbird Month in August and we’re thrilled to share some of the fun we have in store!

Join Sierra Vista Fire & Medical Services Captain Brett Scheib and Fire Marshal Don Foster as they help us stay fire safe during wildfire season and the hot summer months. They also share what drove them to pursue a career in fire and medical services, and why the department is the perfect place for people who want to serve their community with compassion and kindness. 

As celebrate Water Awareness Month in April, City of Sierra Vista Public Works Director Sharon Flissar joins the podcast to talk about Sierra Vista’s unique water story. Over the course of more than 30 years, Sierra Vista has been a leader in responsible water management by working in concert with many partner agencies to protect surface flows at the San Pedro River through water conservation and recharge. With a long-term drought and discussions about how to allocate Colorado River Water making national news, water is now top-of-mind for many communities in the southwest United States. In this episode, you will learn where our water comes from here in Sierra Vista, where it goes when it heads down the drain, and why we should all care about this vital resource.

In its third year, El Tour de Zona is bringing about 500 cyclists to Sierra Vista this weekend to spend three days and three nights enjoying scenic rides around our area and a festival in Veterans Memorial Park.

In this episode, we talk with Perimeter Cycling Executive Director TJ Juskiewicz and local cyclist Stu Carter about all the work that goes on behind the scenes to support an event like this. We’ll also delve into what sparked their own passions for cycling, how the City has made strides to enhance and support cycling opportunities in Sierra Vista, and how Stu’s nonprofit VeloVets Sierra Vista is improving the lives of veterans in our community.