Editorials

Editorial: Much can change before sales tax hike becomes official

For those still not convinced the Cottonwood City Council is acting in your best interests by raising the municipal sales tax a half-cent on the dollar, rest assured that there is still plenty of time to make your voice heard on this one.

Editorial: Taxation issues front and center in Verde Valley this week

Your money was in the political bulls-eye this week.

Editorial: City’s sales tax debate becomes theater of unexpected

Cottonwood City Hall became the theater of the unexpected this past week. People were showing up to City Council meetings begging that their taxes be raised. They were waving signs and actually cheerleading the idea of an increase in the city’s sales tax levy.

Editorial: Private, public partnerships needed to make special events in Camp Verde successful

With lagging volunteerism prompting the plug to be pulled on this year’s Camp Verde Cornfest, the community’s attention is now focused on the town’s longest-running weekend event: Fort Verde Days.

Editorial: Planned teacher walkout a call to end empty promises of state lawmakers

The problem with the way the state funds Arizona’s classrooms has been a constant source of contention between Arizona lawmakers and the state’s education community for well over a decade now.

Editorial: Groseta is wearing a good poker face; let’s see what cards he is holding

Groseta isn’t blinking as he awaits the final card to be dealt his way. That card involves the successful passage of Senate Bill 1254, a “striker bill” introduced late in this legislative session.

Editorial: All eyes on Beaver Creek as tiny district looks to expand to K-12 school system

The latest wrinkle in Verde Valley school district consolidation discussions very well may be happening across the Valley in the tiny Beaver Creek School District.

Editorial: By taking a step down, Nancy Erickson has never stood taller

OK, hands down, no doubt, the Verde Valley hero of the week is Nancy Erickson. With the realignment of schools in the Cottonwood-Oak Creek District and school board approval of a principal-assistant principal model for the down-sized school system, Superintendent Steve King was left with the unpleasant job of having to demote one of two existing principals.

Editorial: Upper Verde school district consolidation debate finds its way to state capitol

Not since a citizen initiative in 1997 forced an election to consolidate the Upper Verde Valley’s three school districts into one has the community seen such serious discussion about the long-debated prospect of a marriage between the districts.

Commentary: Date for Easter a moving target, but message stands test of time

Easter is the most revered day in Christianity. It is the observance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Yet it is unique among holidays in that it has no set date on the calendar, other than a guarantee it will fall on a Sunday.

Editorial: Many questions remain concerning hazing at Mingus

There remains many questions concerning what was first reported as “an incident” on one of the Mingus Union High School athletic team buses.

Editorial: School closure debate was exercise in civil discourse with emphasis on civility

Closing down a school is usually a nightmare for a school board and its administration.

Editorial: Like consolidation and annexation, new city hall for Cottonwood a matter of all talk, no action

Fast forward five years and guess what? There wasn’t nearly as much resolve, consensus and determination as council members claimed was the case in 2013. For whatever reasons, the deal was never consummated and the city continued to do business at 827 N. Main St., along with 12 other city-owned properties in Cottonwood.

Editorial: Cottonwood-Oak Creek campus realignment a microcosm of school district consolidation

There are some interesting parallels between the perceived benefits of school district consolidation and the current movement by the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District to merge two schools into one.

Editorial Cartoon: March 21, 2018

Editorial: Political posturing does nothing to advance debate on school safety

No one should be surprised that political posturing is taking priority over meaningful debate as policymakers struggle to find solutions to gun violence in America, particularly in our nation’s schools.

Guest Editorial: Marijuana industry should police itself

In 2016, marijuana for personal use failed to pass in Arizona, with 51.32 percent of voters saying “no.” Voters barely allowed “medical marijuana” in 2010, with 50.13 percent giving approval.

Editorial: Court merger deserving of close look for Cottonwood, Clarkdale

For the second time in as many years, there is talk of an overhaul of municipal court systems in the Upper Verde Valley.

Editorial: Consolidation politics at play in Cottonwood-Oak Creek campus realignment

A consolidated Upper Verde Valley school district is still much more talk than action.

Editorial: School board needs to quit sitting on fence regarding Danny Howe

Depending on how you look at it, the Camp Verde School District has had either a school board problem … or a superintendent problem.

Editorial: Consensus accuracy needed on Verde Valley history

This past weekend, the Verde Valley was provided an important local history lesson courtesy of the Yavapai-Apache Nation’s annual Exodus commemoration.

Editorial: Jail tax extension a case of pay me now or pay me later

One of the most effective advertising campaigns in American history employed a common-sense approach to regularly scheduled oil changes for your car.

Editorial: Mingus needs to end revolving door of administrative leadership

There was a local singer-songwriter a few years ago whose lyrical license saw him poke a little fun at the Mingus Union High School superintendent’s office.

Editorial: Annexation civility a good sign, but Verde Village must step up to make it happen

The civility that punctuated last week’s annexation discussions between the Verde Village Property Owners Association and the City of Cottonwood marked a first for the Verde Valley.

Editorial: 70 candles for The Verde Independent

The Verde Independent’s debut issue, at 10-cents a copy, hit the streets in Cottonwood and Camp Verde Feb. 12, 1948.

The Verde Independent

Commentary: Flaws in #MeToo don’t negate its importance 16 hours, 49 minutes

Vote on your principles, not your political party 16 hours, 59 minutes

Pastor abuse case shows neglect from parents 17 hours, 13 minutes

Editorial Cartoon: Sept. 26, 2018 17 hours, 18 minutes