Mayor Dusty Escapule

09/22/2024

Office of the Mayor
City of Tombstone

8-22-2024

Tombstone, Arizona, is an iconic Old West town famously referred to as "the town too tough to die." Over the years, numerous self-proclaimed historians have written about Tombstone, each offering different interpretations of its history. Unfortunately, these diverse perspectives are not always accurate.
For example, individuals have launched a campaign against the Birdcage Theater in Tombstone, AZ. These self-proclaimed historians live in other states, such as New Jersey, and have no vested interest in Tombstone, so questions arise regarding their authority on –the subject. It is dubious how they could be deemed experts on Tombstone unless they are misinformed or misled by someone posing as a Tombstone historian.
The city has a historian who advised me that these self-proclaimed historians have yet to consult him regarding their attack on the Bird Cage Theater.
Under the unwavering stewardship of the Ohm family, the Birdcage Theater has been meticulously preserved, ensuring its authenticity remains intact. Mrs. Ohm's legacy lives on through her grandson, William Hunley Jr., who continued the family's dedication to the theater until his passing. Bill Hunley was a beloved community figure who shared his grandparents' stories with tourists, enriching the theater's history and our understanding. The Bird Cage is now managed by its owner, Bill Hunley’s widow, Paula Jean Hunley.
To assert that the Bird Cage Theater is being misrepresented is a profound error. If critics begin targeting the Bird Cage Theater, what subsequent site will they attack? Will their scrutiny turn to the O.K. Corral, the Crystal Palace Saloon, or the Arizona State Park Courthouse? What is the aim of these criticisms? Are they intended to harm Tombstone?
I am deeply concerned about the discourse surrounding our renowned Old West town.
Thanks,
Mayor Dustin Escapule
Tombstone, Arizona 85638

07/30/2024

06/04/2024

Dusty Escapule, a name synonymous with the historic town of Tombstone, Arizona, is not just a figure of authority but a living testament to the town's enduring legacy. A fourth-generation native, his roots delve deep into the very soil that once bore witness to the silver mining boom that put Tombstone on the map. His great-grandfather, John Escapule, was a contemporary of the legendary prospector Ed Schieffelin and played a pivotal role in the mining industry that flourished in the late 19th century. Dusty's lineage is interwoven with the town's history, with his grandfather born at the State of Main mine and his father, Ernest H. Escapule, born at the Lucky Hills Ranch.

Growing up on a ranch by the San Pedro River, Dusty's early life was steeped in the rugged individualism that characterizes the spirit of the West. His education began a year early to fill a classroom at Buena School, a humble two-room schoolhouse, and continued in Tombstone and Sierra Vista. His career trajectory took him from the Sheriff's Department to the family's mining business, where he served as Vice President for Tombstone Exploration Inc., a company that significantly contributed to the local economy and community.

Dusty's tenure in public service is marked by a series of terms as Ward 1 Councilman and Mayor, during which he spearheaded numerous infrastructure projects that have been instrumental in preserving Tombstone's heritage and enhancing its modern-day viability. His efforts include the construction of the Walnut Gulch Bridge, upgrading the wastewater plant with a million-dollar grant, and securing the deeded right of way for the 1880 water line from Huachuca Springs to Tombstone. His commitment to the town is further exemplified by his family's long-standing involvement in Helldorado Days, a tradition that celebrates the town's storied past.

His leadership style, a blend of traditional values and progressive vision, has earned him both admiration and controversy, but it is undeniable that Dusty Escapule's impact on Tombstone is indelible. As a steward of his family's legacy and a guardian of the town's history, he continues to shape the narrative of this iconic American town. His story is not just one of personal achievement but a chronicle of a family's multi-generational dedication to a community that epitomizes the enduring spirit of the Old West.

08/03/2022

I would like to thank everyone who supported me through this election; to say that I won the election is not an accurate statement, the citizens of Tombstone won by electing me as their Mayor for the next two years. I always have an open door policy and my cell phone is always with me, please don’t hesitate to call if you have a problem. I am looking forward to the next two years!
Your Mayor,
Dusty Escapule

06/22/2022

A Look into the City’s Work Order Program

The Tombstone News —-The City of Tombstone continues to move forward and keep up with technology, from their SCADA water system program, to the new Work Orders Dispatch Program.

In October of 2021, as part of a city-wide technology upgrade initiative, Mayor Escapule commissioned the development of a system to modernize and improve how city staff addresses, monitors, and reports the progress of public works projects. The system “Work Order Dispatch” took over 6 months to design and develop and consists of three separate modules that can be run on a desktop or mobile device. It was created using Microsoft’s most modern application development platform, and efficient cloud-based storage tools.

“Over the years it has been a continuous battle maintaining continuity with work orders from inception to completion. The old paper trail wasn’t very effective and that is when we concluded we should come up with a program such as this. Even though it’s in the beginning stages, it looks as though it’s going to be very effective in keeping track of the employees and their work orders,” said Mayor Escapule.

All employees were issued a new smart phone for using the program and receiving their work orders.

All work orders/projects reported by residents, visitors, business owners, and other city departments, are logged in a central database by Public Works administration and assigned digitally to a member of the public works crew, where they receive an instant notification on the new smart phone.

The crew member will be provided with a description of the project, who reported, and the time required to complete it. The member will then log information of the completed work order in the smart phone, including a description of what was done, the cost, and a photo. This information is received digitally by the dispatch system, a field supervisor, the public works director, and the Mayor. The Supervisor inspects the projects, approves, or rejects them and logs the information digitally on the smart phone or mobile device.

Statistical reports are generated daily and monthly from the system data to show open and closed work orders, individual crew member opened and closed assignments, counts by type of work order/project (Board Walk, Building Maintenance, Graffiti, Potholes, Street Lights and Signs. etc.), percentage of calls from visitors, residents, business owners and response times.
It also shows the status of current open work orders, a geo map with a graphical view of type of calls plotted on a city map and other reports as requested by the administration.

This system replaces an outdated manual paper flow system where statistical data had been virtually impossible to collect.
Members of the public can now call public works administration to receive up to date status information on any work order.
A second system is currently in the testing phase that will improve how purchase orders are managed and that will comply with the recently updated City Code Purchasing Policy.

08/05/2020

I would like to thank everyone that supported and voted for me during this campaign. As always, I am committed to ALL the citizens of Tombstone. I will do everything in my power to make Tombstone survive this pandemic and bring Tombstone back to some type of normalcy so we can all prosper as we did before the pandemic.
My Sincerest Thanks,
Mayor Dusty Escapule

08/01/2020

https://www.kold.com/2020/08/01/will-town-too-tough-die-survive-coronavirus-pandemic/

"Everybody was concerned as to whether or not they would be able to survive this and we're still not out of it."

07/22/2020

On 7-2 1-2020 at approximately 9:30 AM, The Tombstone Marshal's Office assisted the Arizona Department of Gaming and the Arizona Department of Liquor in the ex*****on of a search warrant at the Oriental Saloon located at 500 E. Allen Street.
The search warrant was based off an investigation into illegal " Bingo" machines that had been placed into operation at the Oriental Saloon in late May, 2020. Apparently, there were over a dozen locations throughout the state that either had the illegal gambling machines in their establishment or housed the business operations of the illegal enterprise.
Upon ex*****on of the search warrant, all of the gambling machines were seized along with corroborating documents.
I want to point out that this was NOT a Tombstone Marshal's Department investigation and they only assisted the State Agency. At the same time, Arizona Department of Liquor, acting on several citizen complaints, contacted all of the bars that were open, to include Big Nose Kate's, Crystal Palace and Johnny Ringo's informing the license holder that they must cease operations
immediately, however, could remain open for curbside and pick up orders only. Each of the three bars contacted by AZ Liquor chose to close their doors and await the Governors executive decision scheduled for July 27, 2020.
This most recent directive only affects those businesses with a series 6 or 7 liquor license and does not affect any other license series.
Dustin Escapule
Mayor

03/29/2020

Monday morning, I will be participating in a conference call from the Governor’s Office to the Arizona Mayors to bring us up to date on the COVID-19. The call is scheduled from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. I will report on that meeting by posting on the City’s web page, my Facebook and The Tombstone News.