Let's Talk Sierra Vista Podcast
by LetsTalkSierraVista
Welcome to your local podcast where we talk about all things Sierra Vista. In this podcast we discuss current development projects, news, and events that impact our city. As our title suggests, "Let's Talk" signifies our commitment to having a discussion with the community and encourages listeners to send us feedback, questions, and comments.
Episodes
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Taking the Waste Out of Wastewater & Celebrating the San Pedro
As Water Awareness Month gets underway, we explore how the City manages our local sewer system and treats its wastewater to recharge the local aquifer. City of Sierra Vista Wastewater Supervisor Carl Schmutte and Wastewater Technician II Jerry Wallace share how they became passionate about this...
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SVPD chiefs discuss progress, plans, and community involvement
In our first episode of 2025, we talk with Sierra Vista Police Department Chief Chris Hiser and Deputy Chief Armin Lewis, highlighting recent initiatives and changes at the department, while also looking ahead to what their next priorities are. We learn about their approach to leadership, how…
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Santa Stories
For nearly 20 years, the City of Sierra Vista has displayed 53 Old World Santas in Veterans Memorial Park each holiday season. In this episode, we share some of the stories tied to these Santas, both the original ones made out of wood and paint, and the new ones on display today that were…
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Sierra Vista Works for You
Every day, all year long, the City of Sierra Vista impacts residents in countless ways big and small. As we celebrate Arizona Cities & Towns Week, we hear from some of those citizens who have benefited from City programs and services, as well as the staff that run them. [1:13] First up, we hear...
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Renovated Museum Makes Local History Shine
The Henry F. Hauser Museum celebrated its grand re-opening on Saturday, Aug. 24, featuring 50% more space and 100% more fun! In this episode we hear from Sierra Vista Historical Society Board Member Evan Messmer and Museum Curator Melissa Miller as share all the exciting new developments at the...
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Landing BlackStar Orbital in Sierra Vista
Hear how the City is working with BlackStar Orbital Technologies to bring new high-paying jobs to Sierra Vista as part of the company’s plans to create a spaceplane-satellite hybrid. With plans to develop an engineering and manufacturing facility at the Sierra Vista Municipal Airport in 2026,...
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Celebrate and Support Hummingbirds in August!
Did you know Sierra Vista is the Hummingbird Capital of Arizona? In this episode, we learn all about these incredible birds with the help of Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory Co-Founder Tom Wood and Southwest Wings President Chris Harbard. The City is partnering with these groups to celebrate...
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SVF&MS on wildfire safety, recruitment, and cooking with firefighters
Join Sierra Vista Fire & Medical Services Captain Brett Scheib and Fire Marshal Don Foster as they help us stay fire safe during wildfire season and the hot summer months. They also share what drove them to pursue a career in fire and medical services, and why the department is the perfect place...
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Where Our Water Comes From, Where it Goes, and Why it Matters
As celebrate Water Awareness Month in April, City of Sierra Vista Public Works Director Sharon Flissar joins the podcast to talk about Sierra Vista’s unique water story. Over the course of more than 30 years, Sierra Vista has been a leader in responsible water management by working in concert…
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El Tour de Zona and Growing Cycling in Sierra Vista
In its third year, El Tour de Zona is bringing about 500 cyclists to Sierra Vista this weekend to spend three days and three nights enjoying scenic rides around our area and a festival in Veterans Memorial Park. In this episode, we talk with Perimeter Cycling Executive Director TJ Juskiewicz and...
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Get to Know Sierra Vista Mayor Clea McCaa
Clea McCaa wears many hats. He is a retired U.S. Army Colonel, a business owner, a nonprofit founder, a pastor, a husband, and a father. In January 2023 he added the role of Sierra Vista mayor to that list. In this episode of Let's Talk Sierra Vista we learn how these different roles and...
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SVPD Chief Hiser talks being accountable, growing beards, and cultivating leaders
We're relaunching Let's Talk Sierra Vista in 2024 with an in-depth interview with Sierra Vista Police Department Chief Chris Hiser, who took the reins of the agency in July of last year. A 20-year veteran of the department, Hiser replaced Chief Adam Thrasher who retired after serving SVPD for 27...
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Dig into Jurassic Wonders This Summer!
You’re invited to step into ancient times at the Henry F. Hauser Museum by exploring an extraordinary collection of more than 500 fossil specimens and replicas from Cochise County and around the world! In this episode we meet Ron Hyde, the local resident who has formed this collection over a...
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Better Work Program Offers a Hand Up
Just a year and half ago we shared how the freshly launched Better Bucks of Sierra Vista was offering residents a more compassionate and secure way to help people in need. In this episode we talk to Better Bucks of Sierra Vista President Scott Borgstadt and Vice President Eva Dickerson to hear…
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City Tackles Big Projects with Energy Initiative
Have you noticed several major projects now underway at City facilities? In this episode, City Public Information Officer Adam Curtis is joined by Parks, Recreation, and Library Director Laura Wilson to share an in-depth look at how the City is tackling many key projects at one time through an...
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Bryan Mills Reflects on 22 Years with the City
On the eve of his retirement, Parks Maintenance Supervisor Bryan Mills joins host Adam Curtis to reflect on his career with the City and the deep roots he formed in Sierra Vista after his service in the Army first brought him here. Before moving to Parks about three years ago, Bryan worked as a...
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Dive Into Ocean-themed Programs This Summer
In this episode Henry F. Hauser Museum Curator Elizabeth Wrozek joins us to talk about the museum’s new exhibit “Opulent Oceans: Extraordinary Scientific Illustrations.” This 2D traveling exhibition from the American Museum of Natural History highlights the integral role scientific illustration…
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How to Stay Cyber Safe
City of Sierra Vista Chief Information Officer Abe Rubio joins us to discuss efforts to protect the City from cyber threats, to include an innovative partnership with the University of Arizona College of Applied Science & Technology. We'll also share how to practice good cyber safety yourself at...
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City and Chamber Partner to Enhance Holiday Traditions
In our final episode of 2021, podcast host and City Public Information Officer Adam Curtis is joined by Parks, Leisure, and Library Director Laura Wilson and Sierra Vista Area Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Melany Edwards-Barton. Together we talk about how the City and Chamber are...
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New Substation will Enhance Emergency Medical Response
In this episode, we’re joined by Sierra Vista Fire & Medical Services Chief Brian Jones as we discuss a new EMS station now under construction at the northeast corner of 7th Street and Buffalo Soldier Trail. Funded in part by a Defense Community Infrastructure Program grant of more than $1.4...
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A Better Way to Help Those in Need
Sierra Vista Police Department Public Information Officer Cpl. Scott Borgstadt joins us in this episode to discuss the launch of Better Bucks of Sierra Vista. Modeled after a voucher program in Flagstaff, Better Bucks of Sierra Vista offers a way to help people in need without enabling issues…
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Celebrating the James Webb Space Telescope Launch
We're looking to the stars in this episode as we highlight how the Henry F. Hauser Museum is partnering with the Huachuca Astronomy Club and Patterson Observatory to celebrate the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope! Museum curator Elizabeth Wrozek is joined by NASA Solar System Ambassador…
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Revitalizing the West End
In this episode of Let’s Talk Sierra Vista, we kick off our fall season with Community Development Director Matt McLachlan and delve into longstanding efforts to revitalize the West End. With major improvements now underway along Fry Boulevard, we discuss just how long this type of project has…
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Summer Break & Spotlight Breakfast Preview
We're taking a summer break in July, but you can look forward to the next full episode of Let's Talk Sierra Vista in August. In the meantime, why not take this opportunity to catch up on some of our recent episodes? In this short episode, Public Information Officer Adam Curtis provides a brief...
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Breaking Down the FY 21-22 Budget
City budgets can be tricky to understand and even harder to explain. But it's worth the effort! Amid the many moving pieces are important decisions, projects, and stories that matter to our community. This week we dive into the City’s Tentative Budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 with...
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Celebrate the Summer with Your Local Library
In-person activities are back and the library is open to serve the community. Libraries are beloved centers of learning and enrich our lives by providing access to knowledge, technology, and community activities. In this episode, we are joined by Youth Services Librarian Erica Merritt and Arts,...
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Boots, Bikes, and Birds: Boosting Sierra Vista’s Reputation
Today we talk with Marketing & Communications Manager Judy Hector and Economic Development Manager Tony Boone about recent news, events, and the City’s approach to economic development and tourism. The City tackles these areas as a team, executing a tailor-made strategy that leverages Sierra...
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Covering Police Week and SVPD News with Chief Thrasher
This week we are bringing back Chief Thrasher for Police Week. Since 1881, 29 law enforcement professionals have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty in our county. We talk about the importance of honoring those who take the risk and put on the uniform to serve and protect their...
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Paul Cimino Talks Wildfire Safety, Reflects on 40-year Career
In our second episode of season 2, longtime Sierra Vista Fire Marshal Paul Cimino reminds us how to keep our properties and community safe from wildfires. As the City’s longest tenured employee, Paul also reflects on his 40 years working for Sierra Vista Fire & Medical Services. Paul will retire...
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Protecting Our Neighborhoods With Kindness and Persistence
We are excited to welcome you back for season 2 of the podcast! Today we are joined by code enforcement officers Jessica Vannoy and Gilbert Fuentes. We discuss how their team works with Sierra Vista residents to ensure properties meet our community’s standards, which protects the character of our...
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Breathing Life into Fry Pioneer Cemetery
With Fry Pioneer Cemetery reopening on Monday, Nov. 2, we reflect on the hard work done in the last two years to improve and preserve this National Historic Landmark. Sierra Vista Historical Society President Tim Doyle and Fry Pioneer Cemetery Restoration Committee Co-Chair Marta Messmer join us…
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Sierra Vista Sports Then and Now
Henry F. Hauser Museum Curator Elizabeth Wrozek and Recreation Program Supervisor John Healy join us in this episode to discuss the new Sports Through the Ages exhibit, hosted at the City of Sierra Vista Sports Division. This exhibit highlights the growth and expansion of programs that have…
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Podcast Update and Spotlight Breakfast Video Preview
In this mini-episode, we preview a video we’re currently producing in lieu of the City’s annual Spotlight Breakfast. An announcement of the premiere date will be coming within a week or so. We also share that the podcast will take a break in September, before returning with the next full episode…
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Caring for Sierra Vista‘s Animals
Animal Control Supervisor Arleen Garcia joins host City Public Information Officer Adam Curtis for this episode of Let’s Talk Sierra Vista. Inspired by her mother’s generosity to care for stray animals in the streets of Puerto Rico, Arleen has put her passion for animal care to work here in…
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Compassion Lies at the Heart of SV Fire & Medical Services Culture
Sierra Vista Fire & Medical Services Chief Brian Jones joins us in this episode. A long-time veteran of the department who is passionate about serving his hometown community, Jones shares what makes SVF&MS such a special place to work and what approach he takes to hiring new recruits. Jones…
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Putting Sierra Vista on the Map
In the fourth episode of “Let’s Talk Sierra Vista,” we speak with Marketing and Communications Manager Judy Hector. Join us as we dive into what makes a Sierra Vista a great place to live and visit. Judy shares what goes on behind the scenes to put Sierra Vista’s name on the map, what makes our...
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Reimagining Library Services Amid COVID-19
We go behind-the-scenes with youth services librarian Erica Merritt to see how the library has adapted to serve the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. We talk about virtual classes, favorite books, how the library has evolved over recent years, and much more.
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History, Redevelopment, and Beer in the West End
This week, we dig into the economic development and historic preservation efforts at play in welcoming the Tombstone Brew Pub to the former site of Daisy Mae’s Steak House, while also honoring that building’s important place in local history. And that’s just the start of what City of Sierra Vista...
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“We Must Be Better,” a Conversation with SVPD Chief Adam Thrasher
The pilot episode of "Let's Talk Sierra Vista" features Sierra Vista Police Department Chief Adam Thrasher. Speaking with podcast host Adam Curtis, public information officer for the City, Chief Thrasher shares his thoughts on a variety of issues pertaining to his department and the profession of...
About this show
Welcome to your local podcast where we talk about all things Sierra Vista. In this podcast we discuss current development projects, news, and events that impact our city. As our title suggests, "Let's Talk" signifies our commitment to having a discussion with the community and encourages listeners to send us feedback, questions, and comments.
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LetsTalkSierraVista
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