Choson Martial Arts receives Business Recognition Award

Moving Forward

For the first of four annual business recognition awards, the City of Sierra Vista Economic Development Commission selected Choson Martial Arts for National Minority Enterprise Development Week. Choson Martial Arts was recognized at Thursday's City Council Meeting.

In 2021 Minority-Owned Businesses accounted for almost 1.2 million American businesses, generating over $1.4 trillion per year in revenue, and creating over 4.2 million jobs. Choson Martial Arts is owned by Master Rafaél Amill, known as “Master A,” who was born and raised in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

Amill started training in Taekwondo Jidokwan at his local YMCA at the age of 14 and found it helped him deal with what is now known as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He went to study several martial arts disciplines as his 20-year career in the U.S. Army led him to travel different places and seek instructors in each new location.

After many years broadening his knowledge, Amill established Choson Martial Arts in Sierra Vista with the approval of the Universal Tang Soo Do Alliance in 2002 and began teaching privately. Only about a year ago, Amill moved his practice into a space located at 999 E. Fry Blvd. Here he teaches small classes of students that range in age from 3 years old to over 50.

"I love to teach! It gives me the opportunity to pass on to my students my knowledge and experience. I also learn from them. It is an incredible exchange,” Amill says. “As a father and martial artist, one of my greatest responsibilities, to my children and students, is to awake and instill a passion for excellence. I believe that every time you reach a goal you must raise the bar and go on to the next level." Read more.

City News

Council approves development agreement for new charter school

The Sierra Vista City Council approved a development agreement for the construction of a new charter school within the Tribute Specific Plan area located east of Highway 92 and Buffalo Soldier Trail at its regular meeting on Thursday.

The development agreement between the City, Sierra Charter, LLC, and Castle & Cooke Arizona pertains to the construction of a public charter school, American Leadership Academy. The school’s construction requires an extension of Buffalo Soldier Trail east to connect with Ben Franklin Boulevard, a future street in the Tribute development.

The extension of Buffalo Soldier Trail is the City’s cost responsibility and the City’s budget includes up to $2 million for estimated construction expenses. If the cost exceeds $2 million, the agreement will return to the City Council for authorization of the additional amount. The first phase of the new school campus is scheduled to be completed by next summer in time for the start of the 2024 academic school year.

In other business:

· The City Council approved proceedings of the Industrial Development Authority of the City of Sierra Vista regarding the issuance of Education Facility Revenue and Refunding Bonds for the Liberty Traditional Project in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $20 million.

· The City Council approved the donation of four surplus vehicles to Sierra Vista’s sister city Cananea, Mexico.

· The City Council approved the appointment of Douglas Phillips, Aaron Hennequin, and Rebecca Smith to the Tourism Commission, said terms to expire April 30, 2025.

· Mayor Clea McCaa issued a proclamation declaring October 2023, as Fire Prevention Month in and for the City of Sierra Vista.

· McCaa issued a proclamation declaring Sept. 17 through Sept. 23, 2023, as Minority Enterprise Development Week in and for the City of Sierra Vista.

· McCaa presented the Economic Development Commission’s business recognition award for Minority Enterprise Development Week to Choson Martial Arts.

More information from Thursday’s City Council meeting is available in the supporting documents for the Thursday, Sept. 14, City Council meeting. They can be accessed via the City’s website at www.sierravistaaz.gov/government/city-council/council-documents.

City Council meetings can be streamed live and past meetings can be viewed on YouTube. The meetings are also aired on Cox Channel 12. Learn more at  www.sierravistaaz.gov/government/city-council/council-meetings or in the “Council HQ” page at engage.sierravistaaz.gov.

Extraordinary Activities

Head to Veterans Memorial Park this weekend for Oktoberfest, Sierra Vista's biggest fall festival!

The fun starts today from 5 to 11 p.m. and continues Saturday, Sept. 16, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Enjoy live music, a carnival, delicious food, arts/crafts, a beer garden, and more! Then the Sun Valley Rides carnival continues on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Uncommon Recreation

It's time to sign up for our Fall Peewee Sports Camp that runs on Saturdays from Oct. 14 through Nov. 18 from 8 to 9 a.m.

This fun camp offers girls and boys ages 3 to 5 the opportunity to develop essential motor skills and help prepare them with tools they need for fun and successful experiences in an organized program. The cost is $50 per child if you register by Oct. 7.

The program builds confidence and self-esteem during impressionable years when children need it most. Parents are encouraged to get involved in all features of the camp. Featured sports include softball/ baseball, basketball, and soccer. Register at the City of Sierra Vista Sports Division. Call (520) 515-4999 for more information.

Social Snapshot

The sound of music! The kids at the Sparks After School Program learned that music can be made with simple, everyday items when they made craft stick harmonicas.

Sparks provides opportunities for kids enrolled in kindergarten through sixth grade to have fun in a safe environment. It is a group-based recreation program featuring on-site activities like arts & crafts, games, and sports for a safe and fun-filled time out of school. To register and learn more head here.

City Announcements

On Wednesday, Sierra Vista Police Department Chief Chris Hiser presented Officers Michael Arellano and Samuel Brady with SVPD's Lifesaving Award. In two separate incidents, the officers properly applied tourniquets to bleeding subjects, saving both subjects’ lives.

SVPD officers train yearly on emergency medical response tactics; because they are often already on patrol nearby, they are uniquely equipped to respond to critical incidents quickly and appropriately. Thank you Officer Arellano and Officer Brady!

Upcoming Meetings

There are no City Council meetings scheduled for next week.

Watch Council Meetings

Head to our YouTube Channel to stream City Council meetings live or watch previous meetings.

Accommodations

For any special needs or accommodations, please notify Jill Adams 72 hours prior to the meeting date. Reach Ms. Adams at (520) 458-3315 or through the Arizona Relay Service at 7-1-1.

City of Sierra Vista

(520) 458-3315

1011 N. Coronado Drive

Sierra Vista, AZ 85635

www.sierravistaaz.gov