Good morning, it’s Thursday, January 14th and this is The Herald Review’s podcast, the Daily Chirp. We’re excited to bring you a closer look at top stories, events in the community, local history, sports, and more. 

Today - Joe Konrad has been sworn in as Benson’s new mayor.

Before we begin, some local history.

Benson was founded in 1880 when the Southern Pacific Railroad came through. It was named after Judge William S. Benson, who was a friend of the president of the Southern Pacific.

Today’s history was brought to you by Benson Hospital. Benson Hospital’s comprehensive rehabilitation team strives to get you back on your feet and improve your lifestyle. Offering Physical, Occupational and Speech therapy. For more information visit bensonhospital.org or call 520-586-2262.

During a special City Council meeting Monday evening, Joe Konrad was sworn in as Benson’s new mayor.

Konrad had served as a council member from January 2015 until March 2020 when he decided to step off council to run for mayor. He has replaced former mayor Toney King ,who sat as Benson’s mayor for 10 years.

King said that he decided after 10 years, it was time for me to step down from that position and serve as a council member again. He also said that Konrad has proven himself as both a former vice-mayor and council member and he will make an excellent leader for Benson. King also said that Konrad is someone who always has the city’s best interests at heart.

So, who is Joe Konrad?

Konrad and his wife, Vicky, packed up their three children and moved to Benson from Ohio about 30 years ago.

They had visited Arizona while on vacation and ended up in Benson to visit relatives. Here they fell in love with the small town atmosphere and great weather. 

Today, Joe and Vicky Konrad have three grown children who live in the Benson area and four grandchildren with one more on the way.

As a mechanist for Arizona Electric Power Cooperative, Joe has been working for the cooperative since 2003.

He started serving on council in 2015, and in March 2020 decided to run for mayor. Konrad said his decision to run worked out well, because King was ready to step down.

There are two significant projects that stand out in Konrad’s mind during his five years on council. One is the formation of Community Facilities Districts, or CFDs, which are special taxing districts created as a finance tool for a large-scale development — the Villages at Vigneto — expected to come to Benson. The second major accomplishment was an unpopular decision to raise utility rates, something that had not happened in Benson for several years.

When asked what he enjoys most about serving as a member of Benson’s governing body, Konrad said he believes Benson has a really effective, cohesive council, capable of working well together to accomplish goals for the town.

He said that he knows he’ll have his share of challenges, but in spite of those challenges, he believes this is going to be a rewarding public service job.

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Now, we’d like to take a moment to highlight Dominic Avant who played tackle and nose guard for Buena. 

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Family and friends have always had a positive impact on Dominic Avant’s life.

Avant began playing football when he was 3 years old when a friend told him that would be a way for them to spend more time together. To this day the pair stay in touch, despite living in different states.

The senior played the last two seasons on Buena’s varsity team. Avant said he thought he deserved a varsity spot his sophomore year but is appreciative the coaches didn’t rush him. He said that year on the junior varsity team helped him develop more and become a better player. 

Avant hopes to continue his football career in college after graduating in May. He hasn’t made a decision on where he will play but has multiple offers. He says the commitment that the Buena coaching staff showed him is paying off. Being able to play this fall has only increased the number of offers and schools interested in him.

And according to Coach Thomas - “He is definitely one of my players I will never forget,” 

Finally, today we’re remembering the life of  Pamela Sunday. 

Pamela was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. As a child, she enjoyed music and was part of a big Highschool sound production called Sounds of Withrow. Pam met her husband, Larry Sunday attending a Highschool Art class. They married and went on to have four children, and ten grandchildren. During Larry’s military career, they lived in South Korea, Germany, and many US States.

In addition to being a dedicated and loving wife, mother, and grandmother, Pam also loved teaching children, playing games with friends and family, reading, traveling, and providing the community hot chocolate and cookies on Christmas Eve. Throughout her entire life, she held an unwavering faith in God, which she shared with those who surrounded her.

Pam is survived by her husband, Larry; her brothers, and sisters, her children, and her grandchildren. Thank you for taking a moment today to remember and celebrate her life.

Thanks for tuning in to the Herald Review podcast today, join us again on Monday! For more information on any of the stories you heard about today, visit us at myheraldreview.com. 

Thanks for tuning in to the Herald Review podcast today, join us again on Monday! And remember, the Herald Review is here for you with local news you can trust. For more information on any of the stories you heard about today, visit us at myheraldreview.com. Right now you can become a member starting at just $1.99 per week.