Commentary

As we come to the end of a school year unlike any other, I want to briefly reflect on the past months, but more importantly give you a glimpse of what our schools may look like this summer and when we return.

‘This spring has been a great social experiment -- in communal living, in family cohesion, in national purpose, in personal group selflessness. It also has opened our ears to birdsong and sharpened our eyes to nature. It may not have changed the Earth. But it may have changed us’

In one full swoop, Danny Howe went from puffing out his chest to doing a classic duck-and-run. He went from hero to shrinking violet in the blink of an eye.

I want to recognize that we are all in this same pandemic storm, however, as many have already observed … we are not all in the same boat.

The next time you see a police officer just doing his or her job, take a moment to say thank you. It will mean more to them than you may realize.

From a healthcare perspective, reopening Arizona’s economy on a statewide basis could be just as disastrous as keeping it closed has been economically.

During the worst of times we’ve seen the very best of the Verde Valley.

Watching those rent-a-mob bands of bearded he-men swaggering around state capitols with their Confederate flags and symbolic AR-15s -- what were they going to shoot at, after all? -- reminded me of a scene in the old Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall movie “Key Largo.”

It was late evening. The middle-aged couple was watching TV in their Scottsdale home when two masked offenders wielding knives broke through a back door.

We are currently under the grip of what can only be described as the worst weapon ever used against the human race, and that weapon is fear. Some will use this weapon to create support for shutting down all forms of social interaction.

Give thanks to your neighbors and friends, who have done their part in controlling the spread and who have looked out for your well-being. I appreciate all of you. Stay safe, and stay focused on our brighter days ahead.

We cannot allow state power to be used by any group, secularist or religionist, as the tool to persecute others or to favor certain viewpoints.

I’m taking solace in knowing that the silver lining might be a more unified, more understanding Sedona -- with a stronger sense that our community is deeply interconnected and must be in alignment to achieve long-term viability.

If the school is concerned about character building, there are far better vehicles for example the Golden Rule Club that focuses on empathy, kindness, respect, and civility. It’s an excellent program and also free.

I pray that when we look back, we won’t remember the toilet paper hoarding or the lack of hand sanitizer. I pray it’s the love and compassion that we shared that we remember, and I hope that we carry it boldly into the future.

No matter what life throws at us, we will persevere. Adversity in every shape and form will knock at our door forever.

To the citizens of Camp Verde: First I want to say thank you for the way in which you have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic that has literally turned our nation, state and county upside down.

As we work our way through these historic events we would like to remind everyone that this will pass, and as a community many lessons will be learned, and together we will be stronger for them.

Let me say this clearly: we are NOT actively promoting travel to Sedona and we have not done so since February. Period.

Just two weeks ago life was very different in the Verde Valley. With the sudden progression of COVID-19 across the nation and into our state and now county, the reality of this infection’s impact has become soberingly clear.

The Copper Canyon Fire and Medical District provides fire suppression, emergency medical service, rescue, hazardous materials response, and fire prevention services to the communities of Camp Verde, McGuireville, Rimrock, and Lake Montezuma.

The spotlight has been shining bright on the Arizona Corporation Commission.

Hope saw her mother buried at 6. At 7, she met her father for the first time in the visiting room of the prison in Florence.

The Camp Verde Town Council should waste no time in dismissing the fraudulent complaint against Town Manager Russ Martin for violating the Arizona Open Meeting Law.

Walking in our schools I am encouraged each day by what I see in our kids and community. I see kindness, joy, and hard work. Recognizing hard truths should not mean a loss of hope — it should invigorate us to rise to the challenge.