Profiles in Service - Oct. 31, 2016

Tommie Cline Martin

 

Chair, Public Lands Steering Committee

Supervisor, Gila County, Ariz.

 

Number of years active in NACo: My 12th year

Years in public service: My 12th year as an elected

Occupation:  Sustainable, collaborative resource management (teacher, consultant, practitioner)

Education:  B.S., agribusiness management; 30 years continuing education

The hardest thing I've ever done: Continue to learn how to deal productively, and as naturally as possible, with a rheumatoid condition.

Three people (living or dead) I'd invite to dinner: This list changes depending upon my focus at the time, but tonight I'd invite Oliver Wendell Holmes, Ayn Rand and Neil Postman.

A dream I have is to:  Profitably return sustainable health, functionality and productivity to our nation's public lands — be they classified as forests, rangelands, meadowlands, grasslands or whatever.

You'd be surprised to learn that I: Really enjoy painting — mostly landscapes, still lifes, abstracts and genre-scenes, and primarily with acrylics and mixed media.

The most adventurous thing I've ever done is: Teach sustainable, collaborative resource management in Somalia and the refugee areas of Ethiopia — off and on for a number of years.

I'm most proud of:  I spent much of my pre-elected career life establishing diverse, trusting, collaborative groups focused on sustainable land health and productivity throughout the American West, northern Mexico, western Canada and eastern Africa.  Many are still successfully functioning all these years later, positively influencing the public lands discourse, the long-lasting diverse relationships required for any hope of sustainability and the landscape itself.

Every morning I read:  The Washington Post, the National Journal and Smart News on the internet, at the very least.

My favorite meal is:  Steak, veggies, biscuits and gravy — and don't forget the cobbler with ice cream.

My favorite way to relax is to: Rock hound and prospect, read mysteries, work picture puzzles and paint.

My pet peeve is: The use of rhetoric and BS at all levels to persuade voters, rather than inform them.

My motto is:  If not me, who? If not now, when?

The last book I read was: Lee Child's Jack Reacher novel, Persuader.

My favorite movie is: I can't begin to pick just one.

My favorite music is: This changes, but lately it is a blend of older country, ‘50s-‘60s rock ‘n’ roll and older gospel.

My favorite U.S. president is: Abraham Lincoln.

My county is a NACo member because: There is great value in many, many ways for being a member of NACo — education, networking, piggybacking, advocating, cost sharing, teaming, partnering, info sharing, lobbying and on and on and on. NACo and our state associations' dues and event registration/participation costs are the very best "bang for the buck" hands down! Our participation at both levels saves us money, "makes" us money, and vastly extends our influence with our Legislature, with Congress and with the state and federal administrations.