Heated race for District 3 Board of Supervisors

Republican Darren Simmons and Democrat Sandy Kamei have strong ties to the community in District 3 where they are running for the Yuma County Board of Supervisors.

Sandy Kamei says she has lived in the Foothills since 1999. She has two masters degress from NAU and says she wants to see more community developments in the district.

“I noticed district three, the Foothills doesn’t have any sidewalks and I’d like to have a park and a dog park where people can walk there dogs,” said Kamei.

Kamei says she would also like to see a trauma center to service the residents in District 3.

“I’d like to have a trauma center like a hospital in the foothills area. I would also like to work with Rural Metro and try to get a ladder truck,” Kamei said.

For his part, Simmons is a former Marine and retired Lieutenant with the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office.

” I still maintain a reserve certification with the Sheriff’s Office as a Lieutenant so i donate my time going around kind of like a school resource officer talking to kids,”said Simmons.

Simmons says one of his strengths is his involvement in the community working with local church and civic groups like the Wellton Mohawk Kiwanis and several emergency response teams.

Simmons says one of his main focuses, if elected, will be improving the district’s roads.

“Roads is what I’ve been saying the whole time because they are in such bad shape. Not just district 3, but all over the county, and that is one main complaint I hear from people,” said Simmons.

Recently, Kamei’s campaign released a statement declining an interfaith sponsored debate with Simmons later this month. Kamei says Simmons is in violation of the Federal Hatch Act.

“He is currently receiving public safety retirement and he’s not supposed to work from the same agency he retired from either as a full-time deputy, reserve deputy, or volunteer,” said Ian Harrison, Kamei’s campaign manger.

For his part, Simmons denies the allegations saying he is within the law.

” I have talked to the Sheriff and the County Attorney. Like I said, when I retired I maintained my status, but I am now in the reserves. So I donate my time, when I am out and about for the Sheriff, I don’t get paid.”

Simmons says he drives a YCSO vehicle which is used for his volunteer assignments and whose miles are tracked through the Sheriff’s office.

News 11, reached out to YCSO who say Simmons is retired. They say, “He is a reserve deputy for the Sheriff’s Office to maintain his Arizona Peace Officer Certification Active. We have numerous Reserve Deputies that assist with events, traffic control, community functions, and special events.”