Avtar for Flagstaff

Moving Flagstaff Forward

Keeping Flagstaff Great!

WHO HE IS

Avtar Khalsa is the former chair of the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission, an Army veteran, and long-time advocate for children and families.  He made the decision to run for city council after consultation with friends, family, business owners, and many local residents.

WHY HE IS RUNNING

“These are challenging economic times for everyone.  People have urged me to run in order to keep Flagstaff a great place to live, go to school, raise a family, take a vacation and do business.  With small signs of hope in our local economy, I want to keep Flagstaff moving forward.  This is not a time for radical changes and untested economic theories.  What we do need is positive change that addresses not only today's challenges, but the community we are building for our children and grandchildren.

 WHY HE LOVES FLAGSTAFF

“I was born and raised in Arizona.  I’ve traveled all over this state.  There is simply nowhere else like Flagstaff.  This is a very special town.  We value our diversity, education, the arts, music, literature, science, clean technology, and our unique small business community.  We are surrounded by natural beauty in every direction.  As a council member, I will work to keep Flagstaff moving forward in a positive, progressive direction, while keeping a focus on sustainability, the environment, and our multi-cultural heritage.

HIS VIEW OF CITY GOVERNMENT

“I still view local government as We, the People, not some abstract, uncaring entity that acts without citizen input.  Through my service on the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Open Spaces Commission, Governor Napolitano’s Veterans Task Force, and the county Family Advocacy Council, I’ve seen first hand the positive impact of citizen involvement in government.  As a city council member, I will actively encourage increased citizen participation in city government.”

MORE ABOUT AVTAR

Avtar is the father of two daughters in middle school.  He stays active in their lives helping them with homework, coaching their sports teams (soccer and volleyball), taking them hiking and camping, and participating with them in Flagstaff Youth Theater productions.  For seven years he served as executive director of the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth.  In 2009-2010 he assisted Representative Tom Chabin with constituent services.  He is a writer whose first mystery, Asphalt Desert Blues, was published in December, 2011.