John Johnson File Photo: Danny Smith, a 22-year government employee in the Gila Valley, is stepping down as Graham County Superintendent for a new challenge.
by John Johnson
jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com
Safford – The three-member Graham County Supervisory Board will have a vacancy after its longest-serving member, Danny Smith, has resigned from the post.
At the BOS Monday morning meeting, County Superintendent Dustin Welker announced that Smith had submitted his resignation, with May 26 as the final date.
“I just want to thank Coach Smith,” Welker said. “He was an extraordinary person and an exemplary coach. He enjoys tremendous respect at the county and state level.”
Smith was a member of the Safford City Council from 2001 to 2012, but resigned after running for Graham County Supervisor. He was re-elected in 2016 and 2020.
“Serving has been the joy of my life,” Smith said. “It’s been a lot of fun. Thank you voters and the 3rd Ward and everyone in Graham County.”
Smith praised his fellow board members and Welker and said he would continue to stay in touch with his new role for economic development.
“I was asked to help the Mount Graham Regional Medical Center with marketing and community relations, as well as help with the economic development of the Gila Valley,” Smith said. “And several planets are working together to make it happen with a new organization we call the Graham County Economic Development Agency.”
Smith founded the Safford Downtown Association 28 years ago and has played a key role in the economic development of the Gila Valley, youth sports and playground facilities, and has coached various sports. He was also a founding member of the Graham County Community Foundation, which later became the Arizona Community Foundation of the Gila Valley, contributed to the equitable water rights settlement with the San Carlos Apache Tribe, and led cleanup efforts through the Southeastern Clean. And beautiful.
He continued as chairman of the Safford Downtown Association Board of Directors, served as vice chairman of the Gila Valley Watershed Partnership Board of Directors, and served on the boards of the United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties. I am serving
Upon his resignation, the Graham County BOS plans to appoint a replacement from his district. Smith was elected as a Republican to replace him, so he must live in the district and be a Republican. His term will run until the end of 2024.
“It’s been great,” Smith said. “I love to serve and hate to quit, but I never thought I would do it this long or forever. will be decided by voters every four years.It was great, thank you.”
