Get to know Ema Lea Shoop

Ema Lea Shoop is hoping to make a comeback as a Yuma City Council member.

” There is a concern out into the community. Everyone’s watching their wallet to see what the money is going to, and they’re very consciousnesses of their expenditures. They feel like nationally and locally taxes are too high, ” explained Shoop .

Shoop moved to Yuma with her husband in 1980. The same year, she was appointed to the Yuma City Council and served off and on until 2009.

“I’ve been involved with the development of the roadways and the housing developments and the industry and so forth,” explained Shoop .

Shoop said she has witnessed the growth of the city firsthand.

She said her expertise lies in the budget, something she spoke about at the Chamber of Commerce’s candidate forum.

“I learned in the hard knocks how to do math and work with budgets and that’s where I’m bringing my experience,” said Shoop .

She also weighed in on first responder pay.

” I would look at all the departments because they’re all important. But yes, we have the fire department and police department that’s always front and center. We need to keep the employees after they’ve been trained to stay here in Yuma, ” said Shoop .

She explained she has seen changes within the departments.

” When I got involved in city government, it was almost a generational thing. Dad was a fireman, son was a fireman and that was the same way with the police department. It’s no longer happening where we get generational in the public service, ” explained Shoop .

Shoop’s extensive involvement in the community has included being a board member of the Crossroads Mission and The Salvation Army’s advisory board.

“We got the Boys and Girls club with the facility where it is now, and we had the food services at 13th Street,” explained Shoop .

Election day is August 27.