The Tusayan Town Council says former Coconino County Health and Human Services Program Coordinator Sharon Sifling made a huge impact on the community’s health and quality of life.

Sifling recently transferred to the County Elections Office.

Sifling frequently worked directly with the Town Council to assist in a long list of initiatives such as the Community Garden, helping residents grow their own food, Tusayan’s food pantry, training community health workers to put residents in touch with health and related services such as transportation to medical appointments, and setting up nutrition classes.

Tusayan Mayor Clarinda Vail said, “She’s been very special to us. She has been amazing.”  Councilmember Josh Collet said she will be hard to replace, and Councilmember Andrew Aldaz said  she will be missed. Vail noted that Sifling she has been instrumental on the food pantry board.

Sifling said although she did not live in Tusayan, she felt connected to Tusayan, “I really enjoyed working with community members. It took time to get to know the community, with our programs we worked really hard to not just know leaders but get to know community members who qualify for our services such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipients.”

Sifling made it a priority to schedule many activities outside the workday to accommodate residents’ work schedules.

She has some advice for her successor, “People are the reason why we do what we do. Aways put the people first. The relationships I created are the greatest reward and helping the community create a healthy place to live work and grow.”