Fowler, County supervisors, elected officials sworn in

Posted

PAGE – Coconino County District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler was sworn into office for a fourth term during a virtual ceremony on Jan. 4.

“I, Lena Fowler, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution and the laws of the state of Arizona that I will bear truth, faith, and allegiance to the same and defend them against all enemies foreign and domestic,” Fowler said as she raised her right hand and repeated the oath. She was administered by Navajo Nation Associate Justice Eleanor Shirley, who attended college with Fowler.

Fowler’s family and longtime friends and colleagues, including Mayor Bill Diak, watched via Zoom as she continued, “And I will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of the office of Coconino County Supervisor District 5 according to the best of my absolute ability, so help me God.”

Fowler added “absolute” to the oath.

Shirley said the oath in the Navajo language is called, naat’áaníí ‘ádeehadoodzíí’.

Fowler is originally from Tonalea-Red Lake, Arizona. She is Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan) and born for Naasht’ézhi Tábąąhá (Zuni Water’s Edge Clan). Her maternal grandfather is Tł’ízíłání (Many Goats Clan) and her paternal grandfather is Táchii’nii, or Bitáá’chii’nii (Red Ocher Forehead).

Fowler is currently the vice-chair for the county’s Board of Supervisors.

“I just want to thank you. I want to thank my colleagues. I want to thank former Supervisor Jim Parks and Supervisor Jim Babbitt,” Fowler said. “We’ve been together through these years, working together and we learned so much from each other. It’s always a learning experience.”

After taking her oath, Fowler thanked a number of people, including her adult children, Raelene, Christopher, and Shonie.

“They are my absolute––they ground me, and I just want to thank them for checking in on me and making sure I’m OK,” Fowler said. “And my mother (Sally Fowler) and my brothers and sisters, and my nephews and nieces, they are the absolute supporters and always encouraging me in whatever do. Plus, all of my relatives.”

Lena Fowler said before she was even elected in 2008, she not only served as a volunteer but also had a full-time job. Since taking office, she says, she has met and worked with many people across the globe. 

“Partnership is just absolutely the way to get things done,” she said. “You cannot do things alone and through the years, we’ve just really worked together. We’ve started the Colorado Plateau Economic Development Alliance.

“That’s a really big goal of Coconino County and (the board) has worked very hard to really ensure that our residences really are heard. Also, we address issues as they come up, (for instance), unemployment issues. We worked on birth certificates, mainly delayed birth certificates for Native Americans. We have worked for economic development. We worked with our towns and cities.”

Fowler added she enjoys working with the communities in her district and with other communities throughout the county.

“That’s just the way we all work together. We collaborate and we check in with each other, to see how we will be able to work together,” she said. “I’m totally committed in working. I want to thank the Navajo Nation, the Hopi, and the San Juan Southern Paiute – the tribes that are within the county. The Havasupai, we all work together … to really resolve some issues and sometimes it’s complicated but we really address them. And we’re going to continue to work together.”

Coconino County District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuleta, the board chair, said the ceremony that Monday was completely virtual to demonstrate the county’s commitment to COVID-19 safe practices.

“And to also protect our leaders and our county team during this time,” Archuleta said. “While it is not our normal swearing-in ceremony that many are accustomed to, … all of our elected officials dedicate themselves to the service of our people.”

Archuleta also highlighted the cultural diversity within the Board of Supervisors. She said the entire roster of elected officials is diverse across race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age and ability.

“For the first time in the history of this county, there are now four women who are on the Board of Supervisors,” she added. “Two members of the Navajo Nation also joined the Board of Supervisors. What wonderful progress for a diverse representation and leadership that the voters have given our county,” she added. “And this is truly a gift.”

A total of 12 elected officials, including Archuleta, Diné Judy Begay (District 4), and Superintendent of Schools Tommy Lewis. District 1 Supervisor Patrice Horstman, District 3 Supervisor Matt Ryan, Superior Court Judge Cathleen Brown Nichols, Recorder Patty Hansen, Treasurer Sarah Benatar, Assessor Armando Ruiz, Attorney William Ring, and Sheriff Jim Driscoll were also sworn into office.

“It’s an honor for all of us to serve the residents of Coconino County,” Archuleta added. “Together, we are ready to face 2021 with optimism and action from the most diverse set of leaders the county has ever had. Challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to face our community and I know that together we will demonstrate the resilience and leadership our county is known for.”