Commentary

As midterms near, GOP hopes political storm dissipates

Republicans know what the midterm election polls say. They hear the talk about a blue wave. They’re aware of historical party-in-power midterm losses in the House. But they still see something else, seven weeks out from Election Day.

Your cell phone is not worth another person’s life

The best way I can describe my dad would be a madly-in-love, God-fearing, banjo-loving, good-ol-cowboy, who loved every member of his enormous family fiercely, and like some sort of superhero – at least it seemed to me as a kid – he went away for days at a time to go be a larger-than-life fireman for over three decades in the big city.

Commentary: Upper Verde education follows script of ‘Let’s Make a Deal’

Former television game show host Monty Hall would love the Upper Verde Valley’s education system.

Cottonwood-Oak Creek should proceed with caution on consolidation talks with Mingus Union

Perhaps as early as this week, the members of the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School Board will be asked to play nice with Mingus Union over development of a “reasoned, purposeful plan” for a merger of the two school districts.

Commentary: Local taxpayers should not be stuck with bill for Camp Verde rodeo arena

I am amazed that the same people elected to the Camp Verde Town Council all ran on a platform that the town was in dire financial straits. They said the town is over spending and is out of control.

Commentary: Time to put campaign rhetoric aside and go to work

I am expecting that all the successful candidates will step out of that sphere of criticism and condemnation to find common ground and begin addressing those things that truly matter as we serve the citizens of the City of Cottonwood.

Commentary: Kyla Allen hardly qualifies as an innocent victim

Let’s be fair. I was not able to address everything in my response to your editorial (see verdenews.com; “Editorial: Local voters stood firm against politics of hate and deceit”). While Kyla Allen was mercilessly attacked on social media, not all of it was untrue.

Commentary -- Trump, McCain: A rare D.C. relationship that was unfailingly honest

There are people in Washington who hate each other but who, for public consumption, pretend not to hate each other. What was almost refreshing about the relationship of Sen. John McCain and President Trump was that there was no such pretending.

U.S. Sen. John McCain 1936-2018: McCain’s legacy ‘something more profound and dearer than a politician’s campaign slogan’

From the Vietnam combat of the Lyndon B. Johnson years to the political wars of the Donald J. Trump era, John S. McCain III -- grandson, son and father of naval officers, Hanoi prisoner of war, lion of Capitol Hill, presidential nominee, keeper of the American flame and defender of the American faith -- was at the center of the nation’s life.

Commentary: How is consolidation better for all students?

Consolidation supporters, if you can show a way that consolidation will bring savings to the newly formed district, let’s see it. Please show us.

Commentary -- Editor Engler: caveat emptor?

Let us be clear here. Fake news has existed since the first chisel hit the first stone. It’s only gotten worse from there, not because the reporters have gotten worse, more or less, but because the breadth of available public-access media’d information and concomitant expression has burgeoned, be presented information and/or expression accurate or otherwise.

Commentary: ‘Fake news’ does exist, let the buyer beware

The stand of unity by news professionals this past week against the mantra of “fake news” was long overdue.

Commentary: Those pesky school board minutes a nuisance for Mingus

The case of the ever-changing school board meeting minutes continues at Mingus Union High School.

Commentary: Good things happening at Beaver Creek School District

The Blended Learning program in 5th-8th grades is off to a great start. Students are engaged and excited to learn using our new systems and tools. Mrs. Diana Iverson and Mr. Jimmy Womack secured the company for deepening the well. The work has been completed.

Mingus’ ratification vote puzzling, legally questionable

In its lawsuit to halt the November election on school district consolidation, one of the primary points of contention for Mingus Union High School is that petition circulators put the cart before the horse.

Commentary: We need to hear candidates’ views on wide variety of subjects

First off, I get that when you ask a question of a candidate at a forum, whether political or otherwise, you are simply trying to get that person’s perspective on a subject, trying to learn how they might think about other things, based on their answer.

School District Consolidation: You decide which side carries the most clout

It’s fair to call this group a current and former “Who’s Who of Verde Valley Educators.”

MY TURN: ‘ICE’ extremely valuable to Arizona, Yavapai County law enforcement

As Yavapai County Sheriff, my top priority is public safety. As such, I would like to address the call to “abolish ICE” by a minority of elected officials.

My Turn: Passage of Home Rule a positive vote for Sedona’s future

Sedona is in the middle of a primary election. Ballots go out on August 1; Election Day is August 28.

Commentary: Camp Verde Republicans need to go back to drawing board on candidates forum

It’s been said that an election season is the time of the year when the brains of many people turn to Jello.

Commentary: ‘Sauce for the goose’ a good lesson for Arizona lawmakers (with video)

The essence of personal credibility involves playing by the same rules you expect of others.

Commentary: Students will be better off with consolidated district

As the chairman of the Consolidation Advisory Committee for Mingus Union High School and Cottonwood-Oak Creek School, I have been asked by a number of potential voters as to whether I thought that 1: should the issue of consolidation between MUHS and COCSD be decided by the voters and 2: would the proposed consolidation be of benefit to our children (or, in my case, grandchildren).

The Verde Independent

Editorial Cartoon: Sept. 23, 2018 2 days, 23 hours

As midterms near, GOP hopes political storm dissipates 2 days, 23 hours

Your cell phone is not worth another person’s life 4 days, 23 hours

Letter: Don’t think for a second capitalism is fair and just 4 days, 23 hours