Kimzey Will Scale Heights For Prescott

PRESCOTT - Last week, the Prescott City Council appointed a new councilman, Chuck Kimzey, who hopes to serve his community bet- ter through his new role.

Kimzey, age 53, has resided in Prescott for the past three years.

"I just kind of fell in love with it out here," Kimzey said. "It's my little chunk of heaven."

Councilwoman Val- erie Jacobson said she had heard that Kimzey had wanted to be part of the council in the past, but had missed the deadline to get on the ballot. When Coun- cilwoman Darlene DeCo- ria said she would leave her seat vacant to step into the mayor role after Libby McCaw announced she would resign, Jacobson thought of Kimzey, she said.

"Chuck is a really nice guy," Jacobson said.

So, Kimzey drafted a letter of interest to the council and the group unanimously approved his appointment to DeCoria's old seat on Sept. 10.

Kimzey has worked as a pipe fitter and boiler tender for the Walla Walla Veteran's Affairs Medical Center for the past decade. He grew up in Lewiston, Idaho, and graduated from high school in Guam. He was in the Navy from 1977-81.

He ended up in Califor- nia for a while and then moved on to Walla Walla because his grandparents had lived in the area and he says the veteran's af- fairs center saved his life.

"I'm just working to pay the debt back," he said.

He moved to Prescott because he simply fell in love with the rural country where he feels at home because he is an avid outdoorsman. He enjoys backpacking and climbing mountains and runs every day. One of his favorite experiences was climbing Mt. Rainier.

"It's what I live for," he said.

Kimzey describes him- self as a humble man who is just looking for ways to give back to his neighbors.

"I just want to help my community," he said.

He is not part of any local clubs, but plans to join the Prescott Lions Club with his girlfriend Sue Frers.

In the past, he has been a volunteer for the Chil- dren's Miracle Network, a historical society in California and for an associa- tion for California rodeo.

Kimzey said he doesn't have any specific goals for his time on the city council. He simply wants to help out as much as he can.

"I just want to try to do the right thing for our community," he said.