THATCHER — The Thatcher Town Council made history Monday evening.
By unanimous vote, the Town Council selected Jenny Howard to serve as mayor for the next two years, making Howard the first female mayor in Thatcher’s 135-year history.
“I think it’s time to do the job and I’m honored to be the first,” Howard said.
Howard, elected to her first term in 2018 and re-elected in 2022, is just the third woman to serve on the Thatcher Town Council. Joy Martin was the first woman elected to the council in 2012, and Ashley Smith was appointed to fill a vacancy in 2018 and was elected to a full term in 2020.
In addition to her new duties as mayor, Howard serves on the state Transportation Board and the Arizona Workforce Board, as well as well owns and operates Ginaveve’s Market Place in Safford.
“I think as serving as vice mayor prior opened the door to the time commitments,” Howard said. “I think (by) owning a business, I have a little more flexibility than some.”
Howard said her first action as mayor will be lobbying members of Congress for federal help on projects in Thatcher, when she and her husband, Graham County Supervisor John Howard, attend Donald Trump’s inauguration Jan. 20 in Washington, D.C. The Howards will be attending as guests of U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
During Monday’s meeting, the Town Council also unanimously selected Heston Welker to serve as vice mayor, and taking the oath of office were the council’s two newest members, Bryce Carter and Shaffen Woods, both of whom were elected this year along with incumbents Randy Bryce and Mark Vining.
And the council presented plaques of appreciation to the two outgoing members of council — Smith, who opted not to run for re-election, and Eddy Carlton.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
