Spotlight on Volunteers – J.J. Silvas

 

Cottonwood COPs Volunteer J.J. Silvas Keeps Community Members Safe

 

Cottonwood Police Chief Jody Fanning says community volunteer J.J. Silvas is one of the Cottonwood Police

Department’s original Citizens on Patrol (COPs) and a graduate of the Police Department’s Citizens Academy. He is also a member of the Citizens’ Academy Alumni group.  

“J.J. is our “I Will” COPs. He is the one that will always say, “I will do that, I will be there, I will handle that, I will help anyone,” Chief Fanning says.

 

Awarded the Cottonwood Police Volunteer of the year award for 2009, J.J. was chosen in part, says Chief Fanning, because of his attitude and the fact that he has taken on the task of maintaining the Mobile Command Center.

 

“This task requires many hours of effort every month and more than basic knowledge,” the police chief said. “Without J.J., it would cost the Police Department hundreds of dollars a month to keep it all ready to go. J.J. is a very valuable part of the Police Department’s success.” Silvas’ service certainly shows his care and concern for the community. He says, “I love people.”

 

How long have you lived in Cottonwood? Where did you grow up? I have lived in Cottonwood for seven years and I grew up in East Los Angeles, Monterey Park, and Simi Valley.

 

What makes Cottonwood a special place to you? Cottonwood is special to me because it is small, friendly, and neighbors look out for each other. There is also a strong spirit of volunteerism in the community.

 

Is there anything about your family that you wish to share with the community? I have a terrific wife Kathy, a son Michael who works for Yavapai College locally, and a daughter Shannon who works as a realtor for Re/Max in Lake Havasu City. My five-year-old granddaughter Isabella also lives in Lake Havasu City with my daughter.

 

Education and/or career: I served in the United States Army and spent 14 months in Vietnam in the 1960s. When I got out of the service, I went to work for Southern California Gas Company. I worked there for 34 years and retired in 2003.

 

Is there an event from your childhood or young adulthood that encouraged your desire to volunteer to serve your community? My mother Louise was instrumental in teaching me that volunteering to help others was a good thing. My dad Louis was a volunteer Los Angeles sheriff’s deputy.

 

What are your views about volunteerism? What are your volunteer activities now and in the past?  I think volunteers serve a vital sector of our community. With less money coming into the city because of the economy, volunteers can help various departments get their work completed without affecting their budgets. 

 

I currently volunteer for Yavapai County’s Medical Reserve Corps, which is part of homeland security. I work at the Cottonwood seasonal flu clinics and volunteer for the Cottonwood Police Department as a Citizen on Patrol (COPs). We direct traffic, patrol the city, perform vacation home security checks, and issue citations for parking violations. 

 

What were some of the highlights of your service in COPs? Highlights of my citizen on patrol experience are assisting at DUI checkpoints, working with children and teens, and talking with adults and children. 

 

Where do you see the community of Cottonwood in 10 years? Or, what is your wish for Cottonwood in 10 years? I think as the economy improves, land annexation, new construction and new restaurants will improve our quality of life. I like our city’s policy of acquiring water wells when appropriate. Water is the key to sustainability and growth. I would like to see a Costco, a Trader Joe’s, and maybe a Target store. These businesses generously give back to their communities.

 

Do you have a favorite quote? Yes.  Albert Einstein said, “Try not to become a man of success, but a man of value.”  

 

What is the most interesting or exciting thing that's ever happened in Cottonwood since you’ve lived here?  

Cottonwood Police Department’s creation of the Cottonwood Citizens’ Police Academy and the Citizens on Patrol program. 

 

What are your hobbies besides volunteerism? My hobbies are reading and riding my quad with my neighbors.

 

If you could get every single community member to do just one thing, what would that be? Vote during elections. So few people are able to pass or deny electoral issues in our community.

 

Please share anything important to you that these questions may have missed. Next time you see a police officer, smile and wave. We tend to see citizens when they are not at their best or in distress. I’ll wave back. Thank you.

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Spotlight on Volunteers is written by Mayor Diane Joens on behalf of the Cottonwood City Council. Council members recognize the invaluable contributions volunteers make to the betterment of city government and the community. There are many opportunities to volunteer and make a positive difference. Council members encourage everyone to get involved. If you are interested in volunteering, call Kyla Allen, Assistant to Cottonwood City Manager Doug Bartosh, at 634-5526. Volunteer today!