Let's Talk Sierra Vista Podcast

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 field and why this work is so important to our community. In the second segment of this episode, Friends...

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 they set the tone in the agency for both accountability and work/life balance, and how they each stay invo...

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 recreated to stand the test of time. [1:20] Former Mayor Tom Hessler and Artist Sue Ann Vannoy talk about crea...

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 from local mom Michelle Hennessy and Children’s Librarian Erica Merritt. Hennessy says she felt at h...

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 museum. Featuring a temporary exhibit of toys from the ‘80s, a new children’s discovery room, and a perm...

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, BlackStar looks forward to building and landing its BlackStar spacecraft here in Sierra Vista, while they...

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 Hummingbird Month in August and we’re thrilled to share some of the fun we have in store!

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 for people who want to serve their community with compassion and kindness. 

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 with many partner agencies to protect surface flows at the San Pedro River through water conservation and...

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 local cyclist Stu Carter about all the work that goes on behind the scenes to support an event like thi...

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 experiences have helped shape McCaa into the community-orientated, service-driven leader we see today. We'll re...

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 years. Hiser shares how he is honoring the department's past while continuing to deliver on its commitm...

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 lifetime of fossil hunting and is sharing them with our community starting May 6. Henry F. Hauser Museum Cu...

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 not only how this voucher program has taken off but the nonprofit’s new Better Work Program is already ch...

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 energy initiative with Schneider Electric. The improvements underway will boost the City's sports tourism...

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 drafter and engineering technician in Public Works designing many of the public facilities he would late...

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 has played in undersea exploration and discovery! And we’re also joined by Library, Recreation, & Cultur...

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 home and in the office! 

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 partnering to combine two of Sierra Vista’s favorite holiday traditions: The City’s Annual Tree Lighting...

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 million from the Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment, the substation will aid EMS efforts o...

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 like substance abuse. Individuals or groups can purchase Better Bucks that can be provided to people in ne...

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 Ted Forte to share exciting news about an out-of-this-world multi-site exhibition and many special event...

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 been the subject of public input and community planning. We also cover numerous other projects and initia...

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 preview of this year's Spotlight Breakfast, which we're pleased to announce will take place in-person at...

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 Assistant City Manager Victoria Yarbrough to share how the budget process works and talk about the highligh...