Let's Talk Sierra Vista Podcast

Get to Know Sierra Vista Mayor Clea McCaa

Clea McCaa wears many hats. He is a retired U.S. Army Colonel, a business owner, a nonprofit founder, a pastor, a husband, and a father. In January 2023 he added the role of Sierra Vista mayor to that list.

In this episode of Let's Talk Sierra Vista we learn how these different roles and experiences have helped shape McCaa into the community-orientated, service-driven leader we see today. We'll reflect on his very busy time in office so far to learn what becoming mayor has taught him about the community he is proud to call home and the role our City government plays in it. A leader who is all about connecting with people, McCaa will also share how the important people in his life have helped him achieve so much more than he could on his own. 

SVPD Chief Hiser talks being accountable, growing beards, and cultivating leaders

We're relaunching Let's Talk Sierra Vista in 2024 with an in-depth interview with Sierra Vista Police Department Chief Chris Hiser, who took the reins of the agency in July of last year. A 20-year veteran of the department, Hiser replaced Chief Adam Thrasher who retired after serving SVPD for 27 years. Hiser shares how he is honoring the department's past while continuing to deliver on its commitment to always strive to be better. 

Dig into Jurassic Wonders This Summer!

You’re invited to step into ancient times at the Henry F. Hauser Museum by exploring an extraordinary collection of more than 500 fossil specimens and replicas from Cochise County and around the world! In this episode we meet Ron Hyde, the local resident who has formed this collection over a lifetime of fossil hunting and is sharing them with our community starting May 6. Henry F. Hauser Museum Curator Elizabeth Wrozek also joins us to share a bit more about what is in store this summer. This includes a talk by Richard Thompson, who discovered the Arizona state dinosaur, the Sonorasaurus, which he found right here in Cochise County!

Better Work Program Offers a Hand Up

Just a year and half ago we shared how the freshly launched Better Bucks of Sierra Vista was offering residents a more compassionate and secure way to help people in need. In this episode we talk to Better Bucks of Sierra Vista President Scott Borgstadt and Vice President Eva Dickerson to hear not only how this voucher program has taken off but the nonprofit’s new Better Work Program is already changing lives. Launched in January, this program is instilling a sense of pride and purpose in people experiencing homelessness. It’s even helped some find permanent employment as they get a chance to demonstrate their work ethic.

City Tackles Big Projects with Energy Initiative

Have you noticed several major projects now underway at City facilities? In this episode, City Public Information Officer Adam Curtis is joined by Parks, Recreation, and Library Director Laura Wilson to share an in-depth look at how the City is tackling many key projects at one time through an energy initiative with Schneider Electric. The improvements underway will boost the City's sports tourism efforts, take care of needed maintenance, and help the City save both water and energy. The best part? They're being accomplished with no additional burden to local taxpayers. Hear all about in this episode!

Bryan Mills Reflects on 22 Years with the City

On the eve of his retirement, Parks Maintenance Supervisor Bryan Mills joins host Adam Curtis to reflect on his career with the City and the deep roots he formed in Sierra Vista after his service in the Army first brought him here. Before moving to Parks about three years ago, Bryan worked as a drafter and engineering technician in Public Works designing many of the public facilities he would later be charged with maintaining. 

Dive Into Ocean-themed Programs This Summer

In this episode Henry F. Hauser Museum Curator Elizabeth Wrozek joins us to talk about the museum’s new exhibit “Opulent Oceans: Extraordinary Scientific Illustrations.” This 2D traveling exhibition from the American Museum of Natural History highlights the integral role scientific illustration has played in undersea exploration and discovery!

And we’re also joined by Library, Recreation, & Cultural Services Manager Emily Duchon to highlight the library’s Summer Reading Program, which is celebrating this year’s theme “Oceans of Possibilities.” Plus we’ll discuss how Emily and Elizabeth find new ways to reach residents by teaming up across City divisions and hosting local trivia nights at different establishments in the West End. 

We also look forward to celebrating National Park and Recreation Month in July. We hope you enjoy the show!

You can see the Opulent Oceans Exhibit at the Henry F. Hauser Museum during its regular hours from Tuesdays through Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 1 to August 31. The museum is located inside the Ethel Berger Center at 2950 E. Tacoma St.

You can sign up for the library's Summer Reading Program https://sierravista.azsummerreading.org/ or on the READSquared app.  

How to Stay Cyber Safe

City of Sierra Vista Chief Information Officer Abe Rubio joins us to discuss efforts to protect the City from cyber threats, to include an innovative partnership with the University of Arizona College of Applied Science & Technology. We'll also share how to practice good cyber safety yourself at home and in the office! 

City and Chamber Partner to Enhance Holiday Traditions

In our final episode of 2021, podcast host and City Public Information Officer Adam Curtis is joined by Parks, Leisure, and Library Director Laura Wilson and Sierra Vista Area Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Melany Edwards-Barton. Together we talk about how the City and Chamber are partnering to combine two of Sierra Vista’s favorite holiday traditions: The City’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and the Chamber’s annual Christmas Light Parade. The City’s tree lighting has been expanded into a two-day festivity with children’s activities and a holiday market on Friday, December 3, and Saturday, December 4. That has enabled the City to partner with the Sierra Vista Area Chamber of Commerce on its annual Christmas Light Parade, which will now feature a new route running around Veterans Memorial Park on the evening of Saturday, December 4. The Kiwanis Club of Sierra Vista has partnered with the City too by donating a large Christmas tree that will serve as the centerpiece of the newly expanded event.

HIGHLIGTS

• Intro 00:10
• Hi Laura and Melany, welcome to the podcast! (01:25)
• So Melany, let’s start with the parade. Newcomers to Sierra Vista may not know much about its history. Remind us just how long the parade has been a part of our holiday traditions here in Sierra Vista and how it’s changed over the years. (01:31)
• What’s the theme for this year’s parade and how do people participate? (03:49)
• Laura can you describe the City’s tree lighting event and how it is being expanded this year? What do we hope to grow it into as time goes on? (04:32)
  • How partnerships tie into this effort.
  • What we seek to accomplish by bringing in community partners like the Kiwanis Club of Sierra Vista and the Sierra Vista Area Chamber of Commerce.
• Melany, what was your reaction to the City’s vision for this event and how do you hope the parade complements these efforts? (12:13)
• The Chamber has some other long-running holiday traditions, plus a new one that began during COVID last year and is continuing this year. Can you tell us a little bit about these other activities and how folks can learn more? (17:47)
• We wrap up sharing what we each love most about the holiday season in Sierra Vista. (23:50)
• Outro (32:39)

New Substation will Enhance Emergency Medical Response

In this episode, we’re joined by Sierra Vista Fire & Medical Services Chief Brian Jones as we discuss a new EMS station now under construction at the northeast corner of 7^th Street and Buffalo Soldier Trail.

Funded in part by a Defense Community Infrastructure Program grant of more than $1.4 million from the Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment, the substation will aid EMS efforts on Fort Huachuca, improve response for many military families living off-post, and benefit the community at-large. Brian also shares how his department cultivates leaders from within, why it’s an extraordinary place to start a career in fire and medical services, and what fire safety tips to keep in mind this holiday season. Plus, we remind folks to get ready for the department’s annual Christmas Toy Drive!

HIGHLIGHTS

• Interview begins (01:25)
• So a big component of the funding for the new EMS substation now under construction is tied to how it will benefit Fort Huachuca. Many folks may not be aware that SVF&MS already provides Fort Huachuca with EMS service through a first-of-its-kind Intergovernmental Services Agreement. Can you refresh our memory on how that got started in 2017 and share how it’s been going to date? (01:29)
• How will this new substation enhance your ability to support Fort Huachuca and local military families? (03:10)
• What are the broader impacts to EMS service in the community? How have call volumes trended over time? (3:55)
• What can people in that neighborhood expect in terms of the station’s aesthetics and any other possible impacts? (5:30)
• What percentage of calls are medical versus fire? How has the profession evolved to be more medically-focused? (7:05)
• The new Patient Transport Engine (8:28)
• You recently celebrated the retirement of Fire Marshal Paul Cimino, who was longest-tenured City employee when he retired. How you prepare for that type of transition in your leadership team? (10:25)
• You’re currently hiring firefighters and EMTs. How can people interested in the profession get started? What makes SVF&MS an especially good place to work? (12:21)
• Making the profession safer (15:07)
• One of the things Paul Cimino was known for is running the department’s longstanding Christmas Toy Drive. How are plans going for that event this year? (18:32)
• With temperatures cooling and the holidays approaching, do you have some fire safety tips folks should remember during this season? (21:30)
• Thanks so much for taking the time to join us today. (23:37)
• Outro (23:46)

Thank you for enjoying another episode of Let’s Talk Sierra Vista. As always, you’re invited to join the conversation by sending your comments, ideas, or questions to Pod@SierraVistaAZ.gov.