On August 8 Gila County Justice of the Peace Jordan Reardon swore in Miami’s new Town Manager, Alexis Rivera. The chamber was filled by locals who showed up to witness the ceremony.

Rivera’s background includes eight years with the San Carlos Tribal Administration, Department of Finance and Revenue, where he managed the Property Department. Prior to that, he spent two years as Finance Director for the Town of Hayden.

Monica Ramirez-Adreotta, M.Pa., Ph.D., gave a presentation on “Wildfires and Flash Floods: Using Exposure Science to Rethink the Aftermath of Fires.” A grant proposal was developed following concerns expressed by area residents following last year’s Telegraph and Mescal wildfires. The grant was funded and  Ramirez-Adreotta will be leading a project to identify areas and individuals affected by recent debris flows.

She and her graduate students will educate and train residents to collect and interpret samples. Contaminants released by the fires will be identified and used to plan intervention and prevention strategies for the future.

Several council members offered comments. Mike Black described the severe flooding along Canyon and Sullivan Streets. Robert Licano brought up flooding around Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center and noted that an old tailings pile is nearby. Angel Medina said that Miami suffered worse flooding prior to development of the Inspiration Mine and noted that mines cannot allow any water to leave their properties.

Three individuals and one group responded to the Call to the Public.

Josie Klindt and two other members of the Miami High School Student Council gave an update on the Vandal Bash to be held on August 11 at Miami Memorial Park. They intend to attend the August 22 Town Council  meeting to talk about plans for the 2022 Homecoming Parade.

Tom Foster, director of the Bullion Plaza Museum and Cultural Center, requested help to clean up pine needles and downed tree limbs.

Evelyn Vargas noted that Miami High’s homecoming has been moved to September 2.