Robyn Prud’homme-Bauer wants to bring New Leadership and Vision as the Next Mayor of Clarkdale, Arizona

Robyn Prud’homme-Bauer has called Clarkdale Arizona home for the last 23 years. 

Taking over her parents’ local cultured marble manufacturing company, she has involved herself in serving the Clarkdale Community. 

She has worked on the Clarkdale Planning Commission, the Board of Adjustments, and the Design Review Board. 

She has also volunteered on Made In Clarkdale, The Clarkdale Foundation, Clarkdale Downtown Business Alliance, and the former Clarkdale Chamber of Commerce.

She is currently the Chairperson of the Verde Valley Regional Economic Organization and a member of the League of Women Voters.

The current mayor of Clarkdale, Doug Von Gausig has served in that office since 2004.

He has not had an electoral opponent in his recent reelection campaigns. 

Until now. 

Ms. Prud’homme-Bauer would like to take what she has learned from her experiences in serving Clarkdale and bring new leadership and vision to the Mayor’s office. 

As Mayor, she pledges to:

  • “…Keep the values that make our small town unique, yet continue to embrace the future and make Clarkdale a thriving, vibrant, and prosperous community where all people have an opportunity to live, work and play.”
  • “…..Encourage (economic) expansion and retention of our existing businesses, and grow new businesses that support the goods and services we need and want in Clarkdale….”
  • Maintain “Clarkdale is a town that welcomes all who want to live here….To continue being a place for all, we must have adequate and diverse housing. We also need to make sure that we have the goods and services needed for all of our residents, and we need to have social and recreation activities programs for our diverse community.”
  • “….Find ways to conserve the best of what remains of our open spaces while still allowing for growth.”
  • “As we continue to preserve our historic areas, efforts still need to be made that reflect and meet the changes in our lifestyles and future growth.”

Ms. Prud’homme-Bauer graciously took some time to discuss her campaign for Mayor and the issues facing Clarkdale. The questions and her responses are below. 

  • Please tell the reader what are at least two qualifications that make you ideal to become Clarkdale’s Mayor.   

 

  • “I have respect for different points of view from the public, town staff, and fellow councilmembers.   When you listen to those different points of view and bring them into the decision-making process, I believe you get the best outcome for the whole community.”

 

 

  • “I am not afraid to make a decision that I believe will be in the best interest for all the residents in Clarkdale.  And to tell people how I came to that decision even if it is a difficult decision.”

 

  • What are at least two reasons you are the best person to be Mayor of Clarkdale?

“As we navigate our way through this time of the COVID-19 pandemic here are many reasons I am the best person to be the Mayor of Clarkdale:”

“Clarkdale needs a leader who can work together with residents and businesses to build a safer, stronger, and more vibrant and caring Clarkdale.  These are the proven skills I have used throughout my 23 years of community involvement in Clarkdale and Verde Valley serving on municipal boards and commissions, organizing and planning community events and programs, and serving in leadership positions with several non-profit organizations.”

“As a founding member and current chairperson of the Verde Valley Regional Economic Organization, I also have experience working with our neighboring communities on important Verde Valley issues that have been highlighted because of this pandemic such as food insecurity, housing for all, adequate health care options, and jobs that offer a livable wage.”

“And I understand the politics of Arizona and have been involved in issues at the regional and state levels. Currently I am the chair of the Verde Valley Regional Economic Organization.  And I am a former state president of the League of Women Voters of Arizona and have had experiences with working on statewide issue campaigns and lobbying at the legislature.”

  • In your opinion, what are the three strengths of the town of Clarkdale?

“Our history. Clarkdale was the first master-planned community in Arizona, we were a smelter town, the town where copper was made.  A company town that had jobs for the workers at the smelter, had businesses that offered the goods and services that residents wanted and needed, had a social life for all and cared for the families that lived here.”

“Our Small Town attitude. We are a friendly town that welcomes all who live here or come to visit here. We like walking down the street and stopping to say “Good Morning” and chat. We are always there to help out our neighbors and friends in times of need.  We care about what goes on in Clarkdale.”

“Our natural environment. The Verde River is one of our most valued and loved community assets.  We need to respect what is means to us as being part of the natural environment that we enjoy as a resident and to preserve it as one of the last free-flowing rivers in Arizona.”

“And we are also the gateway to Mingus Mountain and Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Areas. Places where we can go hiking and camping with spectacular views and engaging landscapes.”

  • In your opinion, what are three areas that warrant improvement in the town of Clarkdale?

“More focus on the strategic opportunities to grow Clarkdale’s economy so that we have more financial resources available for the town services we want and need. Encouraging business expansion, growth, and retention that will help bring more jobs for people who live here or want to live here.”

“Building a stronger relationship with Yavapai College, Verde Valley Campus in Clarkdale.  As an educational institution, a business development and incubation center and place for cultural activities.”

“Community communications.  Since we do not have our own “newspaper”, we need to work on diverse ways to communicate with our residents and businesses about what is going on in the town, what services and resources that are available here in Clarkdale.  We need to make sure we are connecting with all of our neighborhoods.”

  • As Mayor, what are the three most important issues that you would want the Clarkdale Town Council and Mayoral staff to address?

“Again, as we navigate our way through the COVID-19 pandemic we need to:”

“To help keep our residents safe and our neighbors healthy and alive by making sure they are aware of the available support services, have access to them and assist when necessary – to get through this pandemic – food sharing, access, to health care including mental health support and financial support to pay expenses for residents and businesses.”

“Internally, we need to make sure that we are fiscally prudent with our finances to make sure that the most vital of services are being provided to our residents in an efficient manner with an engaged and strong staff.”

“Externally, that we are seen as a town that respects not only our residents, our history, and our natural environment but that we are welcoming to those who want to bring, maintain or grow a business here in Clarkdale.”

  • What are at least three (one each) plans you would like to implement to make Clarkdale a better place for:

“Clarkdale’s Residents: Connect neighborhoods in creative ways using the river, six parks, a college amphitheater, an art gallery, and a re-known wine center for community events and activities.

“Clarkdale’s Commercial Interests:  Build a more diverse economy that can be resilient in challenging times such as the COVID-19 pandemic or a recession. Such as – small manufacturing – woodworking, furniture making, precision manufacturing; skilled trades; professional services; retail businesses such as a local grocery store, companion businesses to our growing wine industry or recreational areas, and businesses that are enjoyed by locals and tourists. We already have several areas of Clarkdale zoned for these types of businesses.”

“Clarkdale’s Cultural and Educational Centers:  Clarkdale has a large artist community – over 50 artists participate annually in our Made In Clarkdale artist showcase.  We need to explore more ways to support, recognize, and grow this artist community.  This can add to the diversity of our economy.  Our cultural events – Downtown street events, Concerts in the Park, July 4th, Halloween, Verde Valley Wine Festival, Made In Clarkdale, and more are homegrown and fun!!  The COVID-19 pandemic is going to challenge us to look at new ways to continue these wonderful events in a safe and healthy way.”

  • Is there anything you would like the voter to know about you that was not addressed in the first five questions?   

“Twenty-three years ago, my husband and I chose to move to Clarkdale not only because of my family being here, but it showed us it has its own unique sense of place – a place where we could live comfortably, work and retire here, constantly enjoy the natural beauty around us, and build the valued friendships that make Clarkdale our home.”

For more information on Robyn Prud’homme-Bauer and her campaign, please click on her website here

Please remember:

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