FLAGSTAFF ROOTS

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Thank you for the opportunity to share my story. I am Anthony Garcia, a third-generation son of Flagstaff. As a homegrown Arizonan born and raised, I am uniquely positioned to provide a local’s perspective to our Flagstaff City Council. This is a perspective that provides historical authenticity and values the preservation of our cultural, environmental and ecological heritage. I believe that if we lose sight of where we have come from, as a community, then we will inevitably have difficulties figuring out where we are going, as we grow. Finding the balance between our treasured past and the shifting landscape of the present is an opportunity that we can all have a hand in shaping as we move forward to build a resilient, equitable and sustainable foundation for our future generations.

I currently serve our community as Vice-Chair of the Regional Plan 2045 Committee, where my focus is on cultivating robust community engagement in the process. Reasonable land-use planning will help insure we'll keep our community character intact while navigating through the challenges of future development. I believe in the power of our people. Connecting our community with programmatic resource outputs introduces authenticity into our landscape. Public, private, and personal partnerships within our community are the keys to inclusion that will help open new doors of opportunity. 

As tenured Beatification and Public Art commissioner for the City of Flagstaff since 2017 I’ve helped allocate over 15 million dollars of BBB funding to reinvigorate the vibrant arts, culture and science community we know and love today. Responsible budgeting is one of my strongest attributes and service on this committee has help me to refine this trait.

Additionally, I serve the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association as the Chairperson of SNA's Parks & Facilities Redevelopment Sub-committee under the tutelage of Dr. Coral J Evans MBA. We are currently leading the community input process for the City on a new S.T.E.A.M learning center soon to replace old fire station #2 at Joel Montalvo Park as well as the renovations on Ponderosa Park both located in the historical Sunnyside Neighborhood. This is the same neighborhood I'm proud to call my home.

Beyond that, I have served on over 20 boards, commissions, focus groups, panels and various other leadership opportunities over the past decade, including but not limited to Climate Ambassadorship for the City of Flagstaff and F3 Friends of Flagstaffs Future where I am currently an active board member. All of this while being a proud father of two and working a full-time blue-collar job to make ends meet in the challenging economic climate of today.

It's time we put our Flagstaff community first and focus on what we can change to improve our lives in actionable ways. Tackling deferred maintenance issues at the City's Public Works & Water Management division's, as well as, Infrastructure improvements for our streets and utilities are two simple ways we can start to increase the standard of living for our humble mountain town.

This may be the most important time in our city’s history to make well balanced, thoughtful decisions regarding development and the overall growth of our community. The choices we make today regarding public health and safety, economic development, environmental stewardship, and fiscal responsibility are going to be the foundation that helps to build a stronger tomorrow. In my opinion, quality of life is equality of life. Equity and social justice have to be factored into all of our policy endeavors as we progress. 

As your city council person, I will bring a consistent, honest, and open-minded voice that represents the people of Flagstaff. If we don’t like the way things are going, then let’s work together to find a better solution. We only have each other, ourselves and our environment to answer to. We decide what is best for our future. This is ourtown, Flagstaff. 

I love my Family, this community, my friends, the land we occupy, mountain bike riding, playing music, travel and rivers. I believe environmental sustainability is our most important issue moving forward because it affects every aspect of life on this earth. I want to make sure that future generations have similar opportunities that I did growing up in this area in regards to open-space and our natural environment.

Community collaboration is extremely important to our democracy at its core. Essentially, it's our taxpayer funding that keeps our local government moving so we should have the final say in how that funding is allocated. From my seat on the BPAC I strongly encourage public input at every opportunity. I also advocate incessantly for aspiring youth artists to be part of all appropriate collaborations. Some examples include: Bushmaster Park Mural, Montessori School mural, Joel Montalvo mosaic etc. Until all of our voices are represented through our culture, we will continue telling incomplete stories. 

1) Respect for one's self.

Only when we are truly comfortable within our skin can we start sharing our reflection to influence change and demonstrate leadership. When we have respect for ourselves we learn what it takes to have respect for others.

2) Respect for each other.

Building partnerships starts with a willingness to communicate. Creating bridges to a solution is at the core of what good policy making is built upon.  My goal is not only to be the voice of the like-minded but also to reach out in understanding those with differences that we can learn from. Most issues require creative solutions to find a common ground. Mutual respect builds equity. Until we are all represented there will be gaps in the system. Our job is to fill those gaps. 

3)  Respect for the lands we occupy and all that exist within them.

Sustainability can become a derivative of our values as it pertains to Climate Action Awareness, Water Resource Management, Green Space & Trail Preservation and Environmental/Ecological justice. Through respect we can find our balance.  

I do this for the people. The people of Flagstaff are extremely resilient, highly innovative, boldly talented and built, not just to survive, but also to thrive. That’s what makes Flagstaff, Flagstaff. It’s the people. These souls that create the atmosphere mixed with the sweet caress of mother nature’s beauty. Yes, I was born and raised here but this is why I will remain here until the end. Flagstaff just has a great spirit  that promotes positivity and progression. Its that Flagstaff vibe. We call it, Flagstaff Love.