Just four days after returning from its annual trip to the nation’s Capitol, a delegation made up of the Safford mayor, vice mayor and city manager reported the five-day trip was time and money well spent.

Proving that news of Safford’s boom is making more than local headlines, Vice Mayor J.T. Cotter related a chance meeting with a representative of the Hispanic Retail Association.

Cotter said while riding in an elevator on his way to a meeting with Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), a woman asked him where he was from. When he said he was from Safford, Cotter said the woman replied, “ ‘Oh, I hear you’re booming.’ “ She told Cotter that Safford was “number one” on the Hispanic Retail Association’s chart for contact.

Another unexpected meeting was with Bureau of Land Management Director Elaine Zielinski, who discussed the possibility of partnering with the Forest Service to bring water to the Safford Regional Airport for firefighting and training exercises.

A meeting with Congressman Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.) also assured the trio that Safford is still at the forefront for funding requests for money for the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority loan for the wastewater treatment plant.

“Renzi stated that we were still his top priority for funding requests,” Cotter said.

Renzi said he will work with Sen. Kyl’s office as he did last year to ensure the funds are appropriated for 2007-08.

Safford Mayor Ron Green said the delegation also met with Surface Transportation Board representative Diana Wood, who is conducting the environmental assessment for the railroad spur being built for the Safford mine.

City Manager Huey Long said representatives of the United States Department of Agriculture warned the delegation that the city should make sure all USDA applications are turned in before a new farm bill is approved in October.

He said Renzi and Kyl offered to put letters of support on top of any applications turned in.

Safford Utilities Director Jay Howe thanked the delegation for its efforts in Washington. “They put us in a position to reap the benefits of what’s out there,” Howe said, referring to any grants and funding that may be available for the community.

Green thanked the council at Monday’s regular council meeting for allowing the three to go to Washington, D.C., to represent the city of Safford.

Cotter said it is very important for Safford to continue its personal lobbying efforts at the state’s Capitol. He said the Federal Bureau of Prisons is considering building detention centers for illegal immigrants.

“This keeps our name in front of their faces if something comes available,” he said.