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Writer's pictureBy Sandee Caviness, Pinewood News

Coconino County's District 3 Choice: In-Depth with Golliher and Ontiveros, Hess Remains Quiet


Candidate for Coconino County District 3 Seat
Sean Golliher

Sean Golliher: Bold Plans and Controversial Past

Meet Sean Golliher, a fourth-generation Arizonan and avid outdoorsman. Sean's decision to run for office was catalyzed by his deep concerns over national policies and their local implications. "Witnessing the disastrous effects of policies under Biden and Katie Hobbs, I felt compelled to bring a conservative balance back to our local government," Sean explains. He aims to address what he sees as critical issues: excessive taxation, an overextended government, and initiatives like the Green New Deal, which he argues push towards global governance and create significant environmental waste—issues he became acutely aware of while studying and following the World Economic Forum.


As a staunch MAGA Republican, Sean is also deeply focused on national security concerns, particularly the risks posed by open borders. "The influx of military-aged men through our borders presents a significant security threat that cannot be ignored," he asserts.


Sean Golliher, 50, describes himself as "semi-retired" and has been on worker’s compensation since March 2014. His career includes a significant stint as a Department of Homeland Security program advisor, where he assessed programs and operations under the Secure Border Initiative. In 1997, Golliher was discharged from U.S. Air Force basic training due to an injury. He went on to earn an engineering degree from Arizona State University in 2004, followed by master’s degrees in management and business administration from Northern Arizona University in 2007 and the Thunderbird School of Global Management in 2013.


Fiscal Responsibility

When asked about the soaring cost of living in Munds Park and Flagstaff, and why the County is proposing four additional property tax hikes instead of cutting expenditures, Sean was direct. "The County must operate within its means. We need to streamline our budget by eliminating wasteful and ideological spending, as well as unnecessary duplication of efforts," Sean explained, emphasizing that essential services like police, fire, and infrastructure must be prioritized and properly funded.


Curious about how Sean plans to tackle the entrenched spending habits that span both sides of the aisle, I inquired about his strategy. "If I can't stop it through logical arguments, I plan to use every budgetary tactic available to delay and minimize unnecessary spending. Understanding and navigating bureaucratic maneuvers is crucial, and I aim to counteract them effectively," he shared. Sean also expressed hope for a shift in the County’s political landscape, stressing the importance of electing more fiscal conservatives to promote responsible governance.


"I want to keep the tax rate flat and look for ways to reduce taxes once the budget is balanced," Sean states.


The Housing Crisis

In discussing the displacement of the working class in Sedona and Munds Park from forest camps to makeshift living arrangements, Sean suggests a mix of old-school grit and Silicon Valley savvy to remedy this. "Why not farm the land and the cloud?" Sean muses, proposing an economic renaissance from farming to tech to manufacturing. "With today's tech, factories could practically fit in a broom closet. It's time we stop relying on tourism dollars and reduce the effects of over-tourism on our natural landscapes."


Flagstaff, already known for its observatories and astronaut training programs, could also be a hub for space jobs. "Space jobs in Flagstaff? Not so far out," Sean adds.


However, the question remains: Where will these workers live without affordable housing? Sean criticizes the County's current strategy of exploring high-occupancy housing solutions. "We don’t want to just stuff as many people as we can into a room. Our people deserve to live in single-family homes where they can raise families and lead fulfilling lives," he argues.


To tackle the housing shortage, Sean advocates for a multifaceted approach. "We have to bring in diverse jobs to grow the economy so people can earn decent wages. Simultaneously, we need to open up more land for residential development to build these homes," he concludes, outlining a plan to create a sustainable living environment that supports both the current and future residents of Northern Arizona.


Police & Security

When Chief Deputy Bret Axlund spoke at the Community Watch meeting, revealing that cartel activity is prevalent in Flagstaff and a growing concern, I asked Sean what he would do to assist our law enforcement.


Sean says he's been watching past Supervisory meetings on YouTube and hadn't seen much about extra resources for the Sheriff's Department or the issues with the cartels. "I saw a presentation from the County Supervisor's office, and the main topic was how to keep people from being incarcerated. When you see the County Attorney's office more worried about keeping criminals out of incarceration, chances are good the sheriff's office isn't being supported as they should."


"I come from a law enforcement family, and I want to at least triple our force. For safety reasons, I want two deputies per patrol car. I will work hard to ensure our sheriff's office has what they need," Sean adds.


He also has a bold idea to leverage the Civil Defense Act. His plan involves creating Civil Defense Response Teams, modeled after the original founding patriots. He envisions gathering retired officers, first responders, military personnel, and ordinary citizens to train together like a town militia, preparing for terrorist attacks and major disasters. Recent statistics show an almost six-month response time from the federal government, underscoring the need for such a proactive, community-based approach.      


Fire & Flood Mitigation

We discussed the topic of flooding in Northern Arizona, and Sean has a unique approach to solving this issue, too. He believes the solution is relatively simple: use hydroseeding in areas with burn scars that tend to flood and have mudslides. He thinks planting grass seeds, berry bush seeds, wildflowers, and anything else that grows fast and is native to the area would be a good, cost-effective, and pretty solution. He states that he's a "problem solver," and some solutions don't require months of pondering, surmising, and measuring outcomes. "Just give nature a push."


When I mentioned that after 12 years of research, the County re-drew the flood zones in Munds Park, issuing new maps that placed homes and businesses within these zones. The community was given 90 days to contest the maps, but only if they could provide engineering or scientific studies to support their claims—effectively shutting the community down from responding. Additionally, residents are concerned about the accuracy of these maps and the potential impact on property values and insurance rates. Moreover, if the maps are accurate, the County has no solutions to keep Munds Park safe in case of a 100-year flood. What do you think?


Sean responds, "Well, they didn't do their job, and personally, that sounds kind of fishy to me. They want to force you out and do land grabs. They don't want these communities; they want you out," comparing the situation to the dystopian future depicted in the video game Cyberpunk. (If you don't know what Cyberpunk is, don't feel bad—I had to Google it.) Sean continued, saying they want tiny, micro-cities with gigantic megaplexes reaching far into the sky, with thousands of people living in a single building. "They want it to be like China, with 15-minute cities that require government approval to travel from one 15-minute city to another."

They also want to make tourism a thing of the past. I asked who "they were," and he said the World Economic Forum and the Green New Agenda. It's too high a carbon footprint. You don't need to travel when you can do it virtually wherever you want.


As you can tell, Sean is a far-out, out-of-the-box, conspiracy kind of guy. I frankly enjoyed our conversation and his energy. Whether he's a good candidate for District 3 Supervisor—that's for the voters to decide.


After the Interview

On July 4, 2024, reporter Joseph K Giddens for The Sedona Red Rock News wrote an article about the three candidates for the District 3 seat. I was surprised to learn that on August 28, 2016, Golliher drove through several traffic barricades in Nogales, causing Border Patrol agents to scatter to avoid being hit. Authorities found 27.8 grams of methamphetamine in his vehicle, along with drug paraphernalia and two handguns. After being convicted of two felonies and completing five years of probation, Golliher's right to vote was restored. He claims he was incapacitated by a drug administered by an unknown person and maintains that he was not a habitual user, despite the incriminating evidence.



 


Adam Hess Disappoints as District 3 Supervisor


Candidate for Coconino County District 3 Seat
Adam Hess

Editor's Opinion

Adam Hess, appointed as District 3 Supervisor after Matt Ryan's retirement, is now seeking a full term. Ryan, a Democrat who served for 27 years, was known for his active engagement—a standard Hess has yet to meet.


At a recent Munds Park town hall focused on the sensitive issue of updated floodplain maps, Adam Hess appeared clearly unprepared. Community members, eager for insights, found Hess more a bystander than a representative ready to address their concerns. His claim that he was there to "learn" was particularly baffling given that he had been well-informed through email threads detailing the community's issues prior to the meeting.


I extended Hess the benefit of the doubt due to his newness in the role and requested a follow-up to address the community’s questions. Hess promised to take action, stating, "I'll get with my team and get you some answers." Since then—silence.


At a subsequent Community Watch meeting, I again confronted Adam about his lack of follow-up, not only with me but also with other community members. Once more, an associate answered on his behalf and Hess remained silent.


I have sent Adam Hess three emails inviting him to an interview to address the Munds Park community directly, but he has not responded. In contrast, all other District 3 candidates have participated in interviews. Even high-profile figures like Kari Lake and Katie Hobbs have dedicated time to our small yet important community—not Adam.


In contrast, Matt Ryan was consistently available. He may not have always enjoyed my questions, but he never dodged a call or an email, always responding promptly—an approach that was greatly appreciated.


Munds Park deserves a representative who is present, prepared, listens, and actively engages with the community. We need someone who truly embodies accountability, both in title and in action.



 


Tammy Ontiveros: A Deep-Rooted Advocate for Coconino County

Candidate for Coconino County District 3 Seat
Tammy Ontiveros

Background & Personal History

Meet Tammy Ontiveros, whose deep roots in Coconino County and extensive experience make her a strong candidate for the District 3 seat. Born in Cottonwood and raised in Flagstaff and the Verde Valley, she comes from a family of ranchers in Red Lake—her great-grandparents, grandparents, and mother worked the land for generations, giving Tammy an intimate knowledge of Northern Arizona.

 

For nearly three decades, Tammy has owned and operated a Chevron and Shell gas station and a water hauling business along Highway 64, the lifeline to the Grand Canyon, demonstrating her business savvy and resilience.

 

Tammy’s commitment to her community doesn’t stop at business. For 14 years, she’s been a fixture on the Coconino County Planning and Zoning Commission, now serving her fourth year as chair. This isn't just a title; it’s her proving ground for understanding land use and development—skills she believes are crucial for her district.

 

My interview with Tammy stretched over three hours. Time flew as we discussed pressing issues such as law enforcement, healthcare, land use, taxation, emergency planning, and fire and flood mitigation. We covered more topics than I have ink for, but here are the highlights.

 

Taxes

Tammy Ontiveros isn't clueless about the high cost of living in Northern Arizona; she lives it. When I asked her how she’d protect our wallets from government overspending, she didn’t flinch.

 

"You have to be a fiscal conservative to survive as a business owner," she said, bluntly. There is a basic equation: Your outgo has to be equal to or less than your income. In business, there are ways to bring in more capital, but the County's way to increase revenue is by raising taxes."

 

I challenged her, suggesting the County should trim its budget instead of hiking taxes. Ontiveros agreed, noting that in business, you find ways to cut the fat. “This should be the same for government. If there’s fat to trim, I will propose cuts,” she asserted.


When asked about dealing with pro-tax colleagues, Ontiveros emphasized her willingness to stand her ground. "We’re not always going to see things the same way... there will be disagreements. I’ve made decisions that have put me in a lonely place, but if it’s the right decision, I will not back down. I have no problem being accountable. However, I want to be clear that I will always be respectful when working through disagreements; that is paramount to how I operate."

 

Short Term Rentals

Short-term rentals are a contentious issue. Ontiveros reviewed the latest ordinance with me, stating, "The ordinance is a great first step, but we need more. I'm ready to work with state representatives to push for meaningful changes."

 

As a side note, I have spoken to Matt Ryan many times about short-term rentals, and his response was always, 'There is nothing we can do.' Hearing Tammy say she’s willing to reach out and work with representatives is refreshing.

 

Protecting the Land

With deep roots in Northern Arizona and extensive experience on the Planning and Zoning Commission, Tammy has a unique perspective on land protection. She has opposed developments like the Newman RV Park and a project between the turn-off to Forest Highlands and Violet's that threatened a picturesque meadow, demonstrating her commitment to preserving the essence of Northern Arizona.

 

Munds Park will appreciate this: Tammy's philosophy for rural areas is clear: If you move to a rural area, you must do your due diligence. Things are different from city life. Rural areas are slower, a little inconvenient, and lack city amenities—embrace the existing conditions and resist the urge to reshape the area to fit your preferences. You don't want to lose the unique appeal of these communities by introducing urban elements. Tammy states, "I live the rural life, and I am the best person to represent them."

 

The Housing Crises

Everyone is well aware of the housing crisis, and that our workforce is being pushed out from living close to where they work, with some even resorting to living in the forest in their campers. This is a heartbreaking situation.

I mentioned to Tammy the County's idea for high-occupancy housing and that people don't want to live in cramped, ticky-tacky boxes. They want to buy a home—the American dream.

 

Tammy responded, "I wish I could tell you I have the solution. What I can say is that the County is currently updating its comprehensive plan, a process that occurs every ten years, with the previous update in 2015. This plan involves focus groups throughout the county, including Munds Park, to address affordable housing. Although there's no one-size-fits-all solution, the plan aims to create a mixture of housing options. One potential solution being considered is re-zoning to allow more units to be built on properties, provided they fit within the community. This approach aims to increase housing availability while ensuring compatibility with the surrounding community."

 

Emergency Preparedness

We discussed the concerns of some Mundsies regarding the difficulty of escaping Munds Park during a catastrophic wildfire or flood, given that there is essentially only one exit route. At present, the primary evacuation path is a single road leading to I-17. While there are some forest trails, their usability depends on the location of the fire. Additionally, the RV Park situated across I-17 with a huge number of RVs with trailers that can occupy the space of three vehicles, will hinder evacuation for others. I asked Tammy what solutions she would propose for this dangerous predicament.

 

Tammy couldn't address this issue without more details but suggested that we bring the question to Coconino County's Emergency Preparedness Department to address at the next Community Watch meeting. We spoke with Len Friedland, the meeting's organizer, to have this question formally addressed.

 

What are your top priorities?

When asked about her top priorities, Ontiveros emphasized it’s about the community’s needs, not her own. "My priorities are shaped by the voices of the people I serve." She listed wildfire management, flood management, and promoting safe and healthy communities as key community concerns.

 

Tammy adds, … “this district is geographically and demographically diverse, ranging from ranching and rural communities that haul water to uptown Sedona and all the communities in between and beyond. Listening to and representing these varied needs is paramount to my job as a District Supervisor.”

 

Growing up in the rural reaches of Northern Arizona, she understands the nuances of rural life—values that are deeply embedded in District 3’s identity. Ontiveros promises to leverage her extensive knowledge and experience to maintain the natural beauty of the region while navigating the complexities of development and community planning.

 

As voters in Coconino County prepare to make their choice for District 3, Tammy Ontiveros presents a candidate whose roots in the area are as deep as her commitment to its future. Her blend of local heritage, business acumen, and planning expertise offers a comprehensive portfolio for a role that demands both respect for tradition and a clear vision for progress. Voters will have to consider these qualities as they decide who is best suited to address the diverse needs of the district.

 

1 Comment


Gail VanDeurzen
Gail VanDeurzen
Jul 13

Thank you so much for these interviews Sandee. Having met all 3 candidates and reading this article I have made my mind up. I think Tammy is the best choice for me and for Munds Park. She understands the rural communities and our concerns.

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