On Monday, June 12th, The Yavapai Republican Men’s Forum will be featuring the Prescott Mayoral and City Council Candidate Forum. All candidates will introduce themselves and respond to questions. They will then be given time for closing statements.
Phil Goode – Candidate for Reelection as Mayor of Prescott
Objectives – Why Phil is Running for Reelection as Mayor
- Balance small town feel with modest growth, smart economic development, low taxes, limited government, strong public safety services
- Slow down unrestricted growth that diminishes Prescottonians’ quality of life
- Continue to improve the conservative management of our precious water resources, not providing water outside city limits and continue crafting an effective water policy to manage our growth
- Support quality commercial air service at Prescott Regional Airport with protections from residential encroachment growth challenges
- Continue payments to ensure no future liability growth of Prescott’s PSPRS full-pension funding while advocating for state legislature investment reform
- Continue to support business incubator startups, satellite facilities and high-tech business park for high-paying jobs around our airport
- Support local small business through smart economic development policies
- Initiate coordination with neighboring towns and Yavapai County to ensure a prosperous future for all
- Encourage expansion of local healthcare options
For mare information on Mayor Goode’s campaign visit his website at: https://philgoode4mayor.com/
Cathey Rusing – Council Member and Candidate for Prescott City Council
I am a lifelong Republican. I was born at Walter Reed Army Hospital. My Father was career Air Force. We “landed” in Arizona in 1965, and I’ve been an “Arizona Girl” ever since. I graduated from the U of A with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and soon married long time Prescott resident Dr. Tom Rusing. I worked 10 years as an RN. We returned to Prescott to raise our family and start a surgical practide in 1986. We are the proud parents of 3 boys. There are 4 generations of Rusings living in Prescott!
I’m running for my second 4 year term because now, more than ever, Prescott needs a Watchdog, not a Lapdog, on City Council.
I will continue to work for you, the People of Prescott, so that we may keep Prescott the wonderful place that it is.
For more info, please visit my website at: https://www.catheyrusing.com/
Connie Cantelme – Council Member and Candidate for Prescott City Council
Connie Cantelme is a current city councilor who was appointed by the city council and mayor after a competitive process was conducted to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Jessica Hall in 2022. Connie’s appointment was only until the next election and she is now running to fill out the remaining two years of the term.
Connie has devoted many years of volunteer service to the city of Prescott, the Prescott community and to statewide organizations, including the city of Prescott Homeless Solutions Committee, the City of Prescott Economic Advisory Committee, the City of Prescott Sober Living Homes Ad Hoc Committee, the City of Prescott Advisory and Appeals Board, the City of Phoenix arts commission in the city of Phoenix. She also served on the Phoenix Historic Preservation committee and is a member of Arizona Registrar of contractors.
Connie has a background in general contracting, custom home building and design, real estate investment, historic home renovation, and consulting. She has purchased and renovated 13 historic homes in the Prescott Historic District and advocated for over five years for the Washington/Goodwin infrastructure and streets project. This included gas, water, sidewalks and paving, working with the city as a resident to be sure the project stayed on schedule. She also worked with the city to get the Cortez/Carlton Road improvements completed.
One of Connie‘s first acts as a council member was to introduce a code of conduct for members of the city’s boards and commissions, making sure that everyone understood the professional and ethical expectations of serving as a city volunteer. Connie was also a leading proponent to increase salaries of police officers and firefighters in order to remain competitive. As a city councilor, Connie believes in making decisions based on data and facts and seeks input from all interests to enhance, strengthen and preserve Prescott‘s economic viability, our history and hometown atmosphere.
Lois Fruhwirth – Candidate for Prescott City Council
Lois Fruhwirth is a community-minded individual, passionate bout protecting Prescott residents’ quality of life while ensuring rescott’s vibrant future. She enters the 4-year Prescott City Council race, inspired by the quote “You can live IN the community, you can live OFF the community, OR you can live FOR the community.” Lois is running as A Proven Leader FOR Prescott.
Born and raised on Long Island, Lois received her BSBA from Boston College. She is married 29 years to Gary Fruhwirth, with two adult sons. They made their decision to buy land in Prescott a decade before they moved here, as they recognized Prescott’s culture, values, amenities and quality of life was a perfect fit. They relocated from Cincinnati, OH 5 years ago after their youngest graduated high school.
With a 34-year career at Procter & Gamble as a Supply Chain and Business Development Executive in both US and Global Operations, Lois demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, overseeing operations worth billions of dollars in sales, and leading organizations with 100+ employees. Business skills she brings to Council include strategic planning, budget oversight, and business development.
Lois is a dedicated community leader, volunteering her time and talents to her community. A Prescott Citizens Academy graduate, Lois was a Prescott Library Board member (’20-’22). She served as a weekly classroom volunteer at Lincoln Elementary, working reading, spelling and math with 1st graders (’19-’20). She has been active on several local campaigns and contributes to local charitable and community causes. Lois serves as a Guest Lecturer at UA’s Eller College of Business on Supply Chain Management to 1,000+ freshmen (’20-current).
Lois is active in local Republican party politics, and has served as a Precinct Committeeman, Precinct Captain, State Committeeman, AZ Convention Delegate, and was recently elected as CD2 Member-At-Large on the AZGOP Executive Committee (’23-’24). Lois was elected as County Chairman of the Yavapai County Republican Committee serving her two-year term (’21-’22) with distinction. She demonstrated how business and organization leadership skills contribute to breakthrough results – setting county records in fundraising, candidate donations, organization growth, voter registration advantages and winning local races. Her political experience will be invaluable as a councilwoman, as she believes in collaborating with others to find and implement the best ideas and workable solutions for the challenges we face.
Her Priorities for Prescott City Council:
- Invest in Infrastructure & Public Safety, Keeping Pace with Managed Growth
- Bring Prescott’s Strategic Plans to Life through Council Accountability
- Deliver Workforce Housing to Attract Taxpayers & Families
- Preserve Prescott’s Future & the Upper Verde through Efficient Water Management
- Communicate With & Stay Accountable to YOU
Lois’ experience, dedication and proven leadership skills make her an ideal fit for Prescott’s City Council. She is a leader that cares about Prescott. For more details, go to https://loisforprescott.com/
Ted Gambogi – Candidate for Prescott City Council
I was born in Philadelphia and grew up in a blue-collar neighborhood in South Jersey. After a BSME and BA from Rutgers I joined Caterpillar, lived in 6 states, and 2 foreign countries, Malaysia & Singapore. In 2013 my wife, Tik, and I moved to Prescott after experiencing the benefits of mile high cities like Albuquerque & Kunming, China.
I serve as Vice-Chair of Planning & Zoning, Chair of the 2025 General Plan, City Charter Review member, Secretary of the YMCA Board of Directors & AZGFD Hunter Education Instructor.
In 1989 I completed an Ironman triathlon and exercise to this day.
Tony Hamer – Candidate for Prescott City Council
Tony Hamer is an accomplished businessman with strong family and Christian values who loves Prescott and sees its potential as a thriving, sustainable community through disciplined planning and great execution!
Tony’s service to Prescott includes advisory services to the Center for the Future, the formation of the Specialty and Light Manufacturers Association, and the foundation of CTEC at Yavapai College. He has organized four charity classic car events
that have raised a total of $85,000 for our local Special Olympics athletes.
In 2016, Dr. Hamer was given the Distnguished Alumni Award by Purdue University’s School of Science for his career and personal accomplishments.
For more information, please visit my website at: www.Tony4Prescott.com
Chad DeVries– Candidate for Prescott City Council
I’m Chad DeVries, and I grew up in a small Midwest town like Prescott, where I was raised with traditional family values. I’m a Christian, a conservative, a family man, a Republican, and a local business owner. Arizona has given me the opportunity to be a very successful businessman for 28 years.
In 2022, I was honored to receive the Bloom Tree Realty Champions Don Shaffer award when voted in by my peers as a person who exemplifies integrity, gratitude, community, and service to others. I’m running for City Council to give back my time and skills and be your voice in keeping the charm, traditions, history, preservation, and natural landscapes intact in our beautiful town.
To learn more about me, please visit my website at www.chadlovesprescott.com.
Location
Monday, June 12th, 2023
Prescott Vibes Events Center
6200 Hwy 89, Prescott, AZ 86305 (see map below)
Doors open at 10:30AM. Buffet is served between 10:45 – 11:30AM. Program runs from 11:30AM to 1:00PM.
Cost
The cost for lunch is $30 per person – cash, check or credit card paid at the door. To register, go HERE
Remember – a reservation made is a reservation paid. If you do not attend after holding a reservation past the cancellation deadline, you will be sent an invoice requesting payment. The cutoff for accepting luncheon cancellations is Wednesday, June 7th at 10 pm.
Who Can Attend
YRMF Luncheons are Members-Only events. If you are not a member but are interested in attending a luncheon before becoming a member, you can either have an existing YRMF member sponsor you (they need to include you on their luncheon reservation) or send us an email to: luncheon@yrmf.org requesting a reservation – include your full name, address, and phone number – and we will get back to you.
It is easy to apply for membership online. Just click HERE and follow the directions provided.
