Coconino County provides many services that are depended on by thousands of residents – whether it’s providing road maintenance and snow plowing, public safety through our Sheriff’s Office and courts, building permits or restaurant inspections. Yet, the only way that our citizens know about these and many other critical programs is because we are able to communicate to them about the services they have paid for through tax dollars. Every program we offer is aimed at encouraging community … [Read more...] about County Services Enhance Quality of Life
Columnists
Rankings and the Right Things
As I write this, we’re experiencing a very good week at the Franke College of Business. On Monday, I learned that we were ranked #10 in the United States in the Military Times “Best Schools for Vets: Business Schools” rankings. Then, on Tuesday, we learned that our MBA program was ranked for the first time by U.S. News & World Report. This is a very big deal for a small program such as ours. Only two other programs with 50 or fewer students made the rankings. I was very happy to learn about … [Read more...] about Rankings and the Right Things
Is Your System Broken?
Our city delegation went to Washington D.C. in February to continue the push for the Rio de Flag flood control project. The feds have spent millions and so has the city, but the project is incomplete and, therefore, of no value. We met with our senators, Representative Kirkpatrick, the chief of the Corps of Engineers and the Budget Office. We repeatedly told our story: This is a good project; the delays are driving up the costs; one department does not seem to know what the other department … [Read more...] about Is Your System Broken?
Demographics and Business
Knowing how many people make up a community and knowing who makes up a community are two different things. While census data tell how many people live in a particular area, their ethnicity, how many live in a home and endless other bits of useful and basic information, consumer-based demographic information builds from the census information and provides greater insight into their “buying” behaviors. Such behavioral consumer information is crucial to all businesses. Whether an existing … [Read more...] about Demographics and Business
Understanding, Preventing and Treating Strokes
Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. In the United States, it is the fourth highest cause of death and the leading cause of disability. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain bursts or is blocked by a clot. When this happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. The brain is an extremely complex organ that controls various body functions. If a stroke occurs and … [Read more...] about Understanding, Preventing and Treating Strokes
Heart Attack or Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
The most common symptoms of a heart attack include discomfort, pressure or heaviness in the chest and/or arms that can radiate to the back and throat. Discomfort may be felt in the stomach that resembles heartburn, nausea or indigestion. Sweating, vomiting, dizziness, extreme weakness, shortness of breath and a rapid or irregular heartbeat also could be indicators of a heart attack. What Happens Fatty deposits, calcium, proteins and inflammatory cells build up within the arteries … [Read more...] about Heart Attack or Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
Spring Cleaning Extends to Home Maintenance
Spring is coming and it is about time to start on a little bit of that spring maintenance before it starts to cut into your fun in the sun! Many homeowners believe spring maintenance is all about the cleaning. Sure, spring cleaning is a big chunk of any spring home maintenance schedule, but focusing on the maintenance of certain structures inside and outside of your home is just as important. Most homeowners love to see spotless windows for that first sunny day but you cannot forget your roof … [Read more...] about Spring Cleaning Extends to Home Maintenance
Is It a Buyer’s or a Seller’s Market?
The answer is, frankly, YES. It’s easy to be confused by all the mixed messaging that comes out of today’s news. This is why you never want to underestimate the need for an expert advisor to help you sort through details. Housing Starts and Existing Home Sales Reports are major financial indicators and have substantial importance to all financial markets. Understanding how the national housing market and Arizona housing market affect our Flagstaff housing market can save you thousands of dollars … [Read more...] about Is It a Buyer’s or a Seller’s Market?
How Much Bandwidth Do you Need?
In today's digitally connected world, Internet speed and data capacity have become crucial factors for end users and providers alike. With the many streaming services and other forms of online entertainment, households these days are using more Internet data than ever before, and it’s increasing at an exponential rate. Providers are trying to keep up with the demand by using newer delivery technologies, and in many cases, enforcing restrictions on the types of traffic that flows over their … [Read more...] about How Much Bandwidth Do you Need?
Revenge of the Closeted Curmudgeon
Take the following test, checking all that apply: You are offended when the college-aged grocery clerk at your market uses the F-word after noticing he’s five minutes overdue for his break. Your 20-something admininstrative assistant rolls her eyes when asked to correct the myriad typos scattered through the letters she’s typed. You insist your 13-year-old’s best friend calls you Mr. or Mrs. even though the friend’s mom lets all the kids call her “Diane.” You are tempted to yell out … [Read more...] about Revenge of the Closeted Curmudgeon