Care and kindness will get us through this together. It starts with what we can control … ourselves.

How did these cases test positive in the Verde Valley?

How come we are not hearing from our elected officials in Camp Verde?

Thank you for reporting Supervisor Randy Garrison’s insistence to push forward a wildly expensive, contested, mis-represented road project through the approval process.

The chamber is funded by the city isn’t it? Shutting down Sedona to whatever degree legal and possible falls upon the city government.

The true character of a person is revealed during a crisis. So, we’ve been shown Trump’s.

I am a Nurse, and I am scared as everyone else is, but I am in this fight 400%. Bravo Mayor Elinski!

It is time for all Yavapai county residents and anyone who cares about our river, our farmers, our ranchers, the autonomy of our communities and responsible county government to stand up against this project.

Let’s stop pretending Dems and Reps are our saviors and that we care about each other. Government is nothing more than people with power, and power corrupts even the best.

Wildworks is NOT a zoo. It is a wildlife refuge. It is not open to the public. Instead the animals are taken to schools and organizations for educational purposes.

This could be done starting with not accepting any future reservations beyond those already booked unless extenuating circumstances are noted by the potential visitor.

They have a great manager, Tim Watts, who makes sure the local residents of our area are well taken care of.

It’s time to realize what small agricultural does in our communities and why it matters, Mr. Garrison.

The situation is critical and there is no time to waste with poor planning by the federal government.

So, here is my thank you again and if you see this, Perry Conrad at Smoke-N-Guns, would like to say thank you in person.

The issue of the 293 exit going North off the I-17 is a huge problem when one exits off the 293 to proceed into the Rimrock-Lake Montezuma communities because of bottlenecking which also involves traffic traveling from the Cornville Road to also enter the BC Road driving to Rimrock-Lake Montezuma or to enter the 293 going North.

The Az Flywheelers made a $1,000 donation to the CTE group to assist students with tuition, and presented this past month by the club President, Gary Covert and several members. Recognition to this club is in order.

The hearing will take place at 9 a.m. on Thursday March 19 at 10 South 6th Street in Cottonwood.

When people refuse to take this seriously and chuckle at Costco being out of toilet paper, they are hurting the most vulnerable of us.

Fear and anxiety about this disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions, not only in adults, but in children.

Of course there have not been any confirmed cases in the Verde Valley for the coronavirus. That is because no one can get tested.

The issue of the 293 exit going north off the I-17 is a huge problem when one exits off the 293 to proceed into the Rimrock-Lake Montezuma communities.

I saw a couple of letters where Trumpies were complaining about how evil libs were so full of hate for their dear leader.

The I-17 McGuireville/Cornville (exit 293) exit/entrance is the poorest rated interchange in Yavapai County as per ADOT. This is the main interchange for not only Rimrock but also Cornville and most likely the Spring Creek development.

I am always amazed that some people will let their hate and vitriol toward our president be displayed for their friends and neighbors to see in the local paper.

In response to Matthew Holmes’ letter to the Editor on Feb 28, I ask, where in the world did Mr. Holmes get this information and has he verified it? Now everyone is entitled to their opinion but now you will hear my mine.

Our Jewish brothers and sisters are being targeted in a rising tide of anti-Semitism.

I am so disappointed in Commissioner Jackie Baker for her behavior at the Town Council Meeting on February 19, 2020.

As a farm winery owner and operator for over 16 years, I am excited to see our legislature taking steps to foster the growth of our industry.

I am impatiently waiting for Carol German to file a complaint against Cheri Wischmeyer for Mrs. Wischmeyer’s public actions against a member of the council.

As a sixth-generation native Arizonan who was raised by a single working mother, I am disgusted and appalled by the appearance of our elected state government officials at Trump’s Phoenix rally.

The BeneVet Bowling Funfest had another successful year, 11 years in a row. Pretty good record for a two-day bowling event.

Hooray for Dorothy Pedros letter of Feb. 14. I believe far more people agree with her than not.

Let me see if I can understand, Mingus Union School Board is taking taxpayers money to hire lobbyist to oppose the taxpayers right to vote?

The amended Letter of Intent for Borowsky’s urban development of 2100 units when current zoning is approximately 140 residential will negatively affect the footprint of rural Cornville. Cornville’s present infrastructure cannot support this type of urban density.

Yet again, we have a horrendous crash on Cornville Road, one that led to the death of a young girl.

The developers of Spring Creek Ranch have submitted an amended proposal calling for 2,100 housing units: 1,500 manufactured or site-built home lots of which up to 200 may be used for recreational vehicle pads, 400 rental units and a 200 unit assisted living facility.

Mitt had a choice and with all the senators who pledged verbally and in writing I did expect them to follow their conscience.

Workforce housing is not the government’s problem. It is a business model error.

We now live in a country where our elected representatives are unwilling to compromise on basic issues which are important to every American, such as health care.

We need leaders who have a moral compass and a compassionate heart, rather than grabby hands demeaning as many women as he is allowed.

I was in attendance at the Camp Verde Town Council meeting on January 8, 2020 that has been the topic of great discussions in the local newspapers.

When there is nothing left to fear but fear itself, another impending disaster is needed to give government more power over the electorate and a larger share of its wealth.

Now, after President Trump asked the Ukraine president to reopen the investigation, the Dems are screaming that Trump is seeking DIRT on Biden.

75% of Americans which includes the Republicans, wanted witnesses in the Donald Trump impeachment trial.

If witnesses had been called, it would have led directly to the heart of the White House.

No one could have sent a better response to ‘Mr’ Garrison than Suzanne Gosar in regards to the terrible money wasting, intrusive Verde Connect.

I would hope he would not rush to judgment til all evidence is in and prove he is a trustworthy Supervisor of his county.

I am for a fair trial. Senator Schumer states that the only way the trial can be fair is to call witnesses.

It’s looking pretty grim for our democracy as we know it; if, as predicted, the Senate votes for acquittal of this president without first hearing from any witnesses at all, they will be essentially voting for a king who can do whatever he wants without consequence.

The Sedona City Council has again listed traffic as a top priority. It’s not just Sedona’s problem. It is the Village of Oak Creek’s problem also.

The decision of incorporation will be democratically determined by the residents of the VOC, not by the media or the opinions of a few who expressed their viewpoints in the January 1 edition of The Villager.

Yet again, we Village of Oak Creek residents have been told what is for our own good.

There are many items that should be on the Legislative agenda this session: legalizing marijuana, expanding rape definitions, and passing a constitutional amendment to make sure that state elected offices are filled only by Native Arizonans.

Kudos to Eric Jurisin and Bob Backus for bringing the Cottonwood City Council and management to their senses before giving the store away and providing the Marriott hotel developer with substantial “corporate welfare” on the purchase of the prime City owned land parcel at Hwy. 89-A and 6th Street.

This may only be the beginning for them to attack our town citizens. Who will be next on their agenda? I wouldn’t trust them one bit. They should be ashamed of themselves.

I have not heard one shred of defense of the President, only complaints that he was unjustly accused. If so, than PROVE it, so we can all go on with our lives.

In 2019, Verde Valley Humane Society took in 1,533 pets, returned 369 lost pets to their owners, trapped, spayed/neutered and vaccinated 138 feral cats.

I’m calling on my senator to support convicting and removing Donald Trump. After a thorough investigation, the House of Representatives voted to charge Donald Trump with both abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, demonstrating that Trump has no business in the Oval Office.

The League will come to the VOC to deliver their presentation, which will be open to all interested residents, and include budget data, projections, tax proposal and other essential information. The date, time and location will be publicized when that information is available.

Our senators need to uphold the constitution and the rule of law by holding Donald Trump accountable for his unlawful actions, behavior and lies. Our nation deserves better.

Our democracy is in danger right now and I am expecting Senator Sinema to do everything in her power to protect it as the senior senator from Arizona.

Although it is very important to determine if President Tromp is guilty or innocent of the charges being brought, I no longer believe that is the most crucial issue at stake.

Thank you, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for challenging our great nation to live up to the historic principles outlined in the Preamble of our Constitution in that all people regardless of race, color, or creed would be included in “We the People.”

Reading your Monday (1/13) issue online, I first came to ‘Drought Issues continue to challenge state lawmakers’. Comments by Rep. Regina Cobb, R-Kingman got my attention, especially when she said allowing things to go along without regulation is simply unacceptable.

I didn’t know what the radio ads meant when advocating that Congress do something about surprise medical bill ... until I got one.

Big Pharma is the top lobbying organization in Washington, DC, and spent $27.5 million on lobbying activities in 2018! Healthcare costs in this country in general for those patients without insurance is not affordable.

As Samuel Adams said: “It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people’s minds.”

We are thrilled to see that Gary Krupa has taken up the torch to lead the VOC to incorporation.

Here we go again. Two years ago in the Spring of 2018, The Committee for Better Upper Verde Valley Schools (CBUVVS) gathered enough signatures to bring the issue of whether or not to consolidate the Cottonwood-Oak Creek Elementary School District No. 6 (COCSD) and the Mingus Union High School District No. 4 (MUHS) to the voters.

The second amendment is a part of the US.Constitution and the Law of the Land., notwithstanding the support of the County Supervisors. Interpretation of its meaning is reserved for Federal Judiciary, not local authorities.

The MMA (Modified Motorcycle Association) Verde Valley District, would like to extend a big thank you to all who participated in the annual Jan. 1st Run, that benefited the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School Dist.’s Lunch Program.

This time Mr. Krupa and Mr. Engler want all of us to “wake up and smell the obvious.”  Both articles in the Jan. 1 edition of the Villager pontificate and chide us about our failings as citizens. Even though we citizens did all the right things to voice our oppositions, the County Board failed, not us.  The Board failed to respect its constituents.

Rethinking adding Verde Villages to the City of Cottonwood: Because of the many laws and decisions made in Cottonwood by the City Council I believe it would be in the best interests of the Verde Villages to once again see if they might do better becoming part of the City.

Sedona Toys for Tots would like to thank the Sedona Village Business Association for their generous donation of $250.

If you want to hold other politicians to the standard that they are not above the law, than you need to act that way yourself. Anything less is not protecting our Constitution as you profess.

It is all about and because of the first and only perfect gift, Christ as in Christ-mas!

We wanted to send a very special thank you to the Verde Valley community for their generous support of Mingus Union High School’s Hope Center.

The Immaculate Conception Conference for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul expresses its heartfelt thanks to all who helped provide turkeys and the fixings for Thanksgiving dinner to more than 100 of our community’s needy families.

Mr. Dave Williams is the Yavapai County Developmental Services Director. In his own words, describes his role as being the one to interpret county ordinances and advise the county commissioners on matters that come before that body.

I recently received a pamphlet outlining the spring courses being offered at the Yavapai college. I was appalled at the number of classes being taught in pseudo sciences at tax payers expense.

In one instance, the president, himself, even claimed that he would “love” for various current and former senior members of his administration to testify and, then in the next instance, the White House issued a directive for those officials not to cooperate.

I was so pleased to see such a large turnout to hear the proposal presented to Yavapai County Planning and Zoning regarding the zoning change request for the owners/developers of Spring Creek Ranch.

If this country is to survive we will need to find common ground again.

If you want to ‘Impeach the Liar’ you best make a long list, because every politician holding office is a ‘LIAR’.

As long as they do not harm people let them come to the country stretch between Cottonwood and Sedona this won’t change the world that much.

As residents of Cornville, we are concerned about the proposed zoning change of the Spring Creek Ranch. We would be extremely affected by this change and we ask that the change be denied.

Trump is the best president this country has ever had and will have and he will be re-elected in 2020

Over 50 years ago I took a Bible class for credit in a public high school in North Carolina.

Thank you for writing it - it’s one of the best editorials I’ve read.

As residents living next to Coconino National Forest and next to the State/County Open Ranges in Cornville, AZ for the past 17 years, we are VERY concerned about two rezoning proposals coming before the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors this Dec/Jan, 2019.

I would beg both the developers, the county and all concerned to nip this in the bud; build a sensible community and STICK TO THE PLAN!

These manufactured homes and RV sites will offer low-cost alternatives and will open doors for many who now have no where else to turn.

Jason Brooks’ article/commentary (“If life’s a drag for you, change your life”) about the LGBTQ community that was in Kudos on Nov. 27th was awesome and a breath of fresh air.

Once again, we should be ashamed of ourselves as a community for not being more open-minded about the planned Hilton Hotel, even going so far as to say that “There is going to be loss of life” (Lenore Hemingway, The Villager, Vol. 15 No. 12).

Recent editorials concerning development proposals encouraged us to let Yavapai County know what we want instead of what we don’t want. I’ll attempt to offer some guidelines.

I have lived in the Village of Oak Creek for 16 years, and like many of its residents, have seen changes over the years, some which I consider good and some bad.

The staff of Safeway couldn’t have been nicer, as he had a bit of a wait as I had to get organized to come and take him home.

Coincidentally, two separate developers have submitted plans to build huge communities almost next to each other, close to 89A near Page Springs Road, between Cottonwood and Sedona.

Article Two of the U.S. Constitution states “The President, Vice President, and all civil officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.”

I have become aware that there are two massive residential/commercial developments that have been proposed on property between Sedona and Cottonwood along 89A.

He suggests that we feel that this tsunami will deplete our water supply and bring overcrowding, transportation issues, crime, infrastructure problems, and other troubling matters; Mr. Burke is exactly right!

We have to appreciate all the hard work that the Forest Service does in the maintenance of our forests. They certainly have a lot of territory to cover and control.

Recent news reports told of the disastrous flooding of Venice, Italy, where high tides brought water levels close to the record high of 1966. Damage is pegged at more than $1 billion, and is predictably blamed by the city’s mayor on “climate change.”

The following people helped with the Highway 260 cleanup on Nov. 16: Peggy Barksdale, Charles Mackey, David Nelson, David Nauman, Beth Cady, Peter Bailey, Dean Koropathicki, Matt Robertson, Steven Stack, Robert Thompson, Collene Maktenicks, Mal Otterson.

Regarding private property rights, they are important, but you must also know that the Primrose developers bought a property which was already zoned. And, given its surroundings, should have little expectation of being able to rezone to high density.

What would happen if someone proposed creating in a 6,000-unit development along Wet Beaver Creek, complete with artificial lakes and five-story buildings? Would you be upset?

Does Cottonwood intend to repeat what has happened in Sedona?

The Yavapai County Education Service Agency (YCESA) was fortunate to be part of a partnership led by Brad Wright of Pinnacle Financial Services, Kari Reilly of Foothills Bank, and Lions from the Prescott Noon Lions Club and the Prescott Valley Early Bird Club in distributing 108 boxes of coats – boys and girls, multiple sizes – to 27 district and charter schools throughout Yavapai County.

On 10/21/19, Monday, at 3:30 p.m., I was entering a DMV office on 12th St. and viewed, to the north, a huge plume of smoke that filled the sky all the way down the Valley, past Camp Verde.

While we are prone to report undesirable practices by local businesses, it is equally important to recognize business practices and integrity.

I am embarrassed to say that recently, I put my cell phone on the roof of my car, forgot it, and drove onto the 17 freeway.

After President Erdogan of Turkey spoke to President Trump an inept decision was made by Trump to pull our military forces from northern Syria. This allowed Turkey to invade and attack the Kurds.

Under Canvas corporation has applied to Yavapai County for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to build a 100-tent motel out there within an existing neighborhood and right next to these remote public lands.

Our members of Congress and the president swore a sacred oath to protect and defend the United States Constitution.

Thank you Cathleen Jochim, Kenneth Bescak, Samuel Butman, Thomas Neumann and Orazio Amabile; all the doctors and nurses ‘behind the scene; the helicopter crew, the therapy department and the volunteers of VVMC for giving me the gift of yet another Christmas with my grandgirls.

A terrible decision was recently made by some of our local school leaders.  This decision will have a lasting, negative impact on our young student-athletes immediately and for years to come.

If Dems have passed more than 250 bills and sent them to the Senate, how come Rep. Gosar contends the House is getting nothing done?

In case we forgot, the foundation of all laws of this land are based on the highest ideals and principles - the Constitution of the United States.

We are responding to the October 11th article in the Verde Independent in which Paul Gosar states “This President has not done anything wrong.”

The Friends of Clark Memorial Library want to thank all the ‘literary imposters’ and others who helped celebrate the second anniversary of the reopening of Clark Memorial Library on Saturday, October 19th.

These young people are our future, let’s treat them decent, give them the benefit of the doubt. Hopefully they will become adults who treat young people the same way.

The actions of the party involved were deplorable and absolutely do not reflect the attitudes or opinions of any one of us nor of anyone associated with Bread of Life.

I keep hearing reference to Halloween being a holiday. No, it isn’t. Neither are Valentine’s day or St. Patrick’s day.

Rimrock is not a wealthy area. We enjoy a quiet lifestyle, which is becoming more and more rare in Arizona. The area is generally single family residences, with a mix of site built and manufactured housing. There are very few multifamily housing units.

The Town of Camp Verde would like to thank and congratulate all of the individuals and organizations who worked together to help make Fort Verde Days such a success.

Dr. Mialocq is calling my suggestion to alleviating the traffic congestion from the Village to Sedona as bizarre.

On Sept. 27-28, a yard sale was held in Camp Verde to benefit Montezuma Veterinarian Services due to the building fire in July that affected their business.

In addition to the founders of Verde River Day, there have been several local groups who have been there since day one and the Verde Valley Rotary Club has been one of them.

Potentially for years, the bridge on the proposed route wouldn’t be connected to anything more than the currently quiet neighborhoods at the end of West Middle Verde? Could Verde Connect’s bridge potentially become the largest homeless shelter in Northern Arizona?

I don’t know about you, but I’m disgusted and tired of watching what’s happening in Washington.

Some Arizona legislators want you to think that Arizona’s sex-ed curriculum is forced on students and their parents.

I have to completely agree with Vicki Jo Anderson’s letter “A sham and a slam.”

To say recycling (printed on the front page) is simply something we do that makes us feel good, where’s the thought of our planet’s future and the responsibility to the generations coming after us?

German scientists predicted that the US-SW will run out of water. How could they tell? They did the math: for many years, the use of water by far exceeded and exceeds precipitation.

Had some of these addicts been thrown in jail in August and not been allowed the opportunity to become a snitch in exchange for freedom, countless unsuspecting residents of Cornville may not have been victimized.

Chalk one up for the good guys. The Arizona Supreme Court just ruled in favor of a Christian arts studio which, for religious reasons, didn’t want to make wedding invitations for a homosexual “wedding.”

Regarding trash collection in Cottonwood, I believe free enterprise is the basis of our economy.

The unintended consequences of Senate Bill 1350 for Sedona (and many other towns in Arizona) include making an already difficult traffic situation worse and reducing the already slim stock of affordable housing.

Wine and water supply. Although I am not a hydrologist, I often wonder about the commercial and private vineyards and dwindling water supply.

Since its earliest days the labor movement has sought to improve the quality of work life, create workplace democracy and participate in employer/employee decision-making.

O. Vogel’s August 24 letter, “NRA needs to change its name to National Republican Association,” claims the National Rifle Association is now a new branch of government controlling our elections. If true, this should have been front page news, so I felt compelled to do some research.

After reading the article in the Aug. 11 Verde Independent, I was moved to write in response.

I see that Steve Adelsman is wringing his hands publicly about what do with illegal aliens in this country other than heartlessly deporting them -- and he has no answer.

We couldn’t have done it without your help. The kids -- and the parents really enjoyed the show.

In response to Gary Mialocq’s letter that appeared in the Aug. 1 Villager, I would like everyone to know that he misrepresented me as an officer of the Big Park Council.

I do not understand how such a public occurrence as the debates among candidates for the president of the United States can be limited and not available to all of the American people.

There is much discussion lately about health care. I would like to relate my experience with Medicare that is being purported as the more popular and the best health care. As an elderly person, it is my only option.

As Trump seems to normalize violence in this country, Jeffery Goldberg, editor in chief of the Atlantic.com, recently wrote in an article entitled, He’s Getting Worse, ...”with Trump’s larger goal, it seem(s) to stoke fear among white Americans of dark-skinned foreigners”, and then he goes on to say, “It’s depressing to realize that we were correct (in endorsing Hillary, not for love, but fear of Trump) and it is depressing to think that there is no immediate way out of this crisis.”

I have attended all of the public meetings for the proposed APS substation on 89A and keep hearing about items that should have been done, but they were not.

As you are aware, APS is proposing to build a substation next to the Fire District property on 89A in Clarkdale.

There were thousands of us who worked for the contractors that did the actual development of Saturn rocket and yet the coverage infers that NASA did it all.

Years ago, as per the Verde Valley Master Transportation Plan 2016, two modest rural routes were suggested: extending West Middle Verde over the Verde River or paving Forest Route 119A.

We the people who live in Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek must stop voting for people who do not listen to what we want and what is best for us.

As a longtime student of early American history and law, and a proud descendant of pioneers who settled in America and Arizona before either formal government was formed, I have a different take on all this “love it or leave it” nonsense.

Fifty years ago this month, I was glued to my TV watching the first moon landing.

Thanks go out to the Verde Canyon Railroad for their donation of two first-class tickets to support Clark Memorial Library.

The Verde Connect is a waste of money.

I have lived on 89A since before the roundabouts and called it the bypass road since it was built for the cement trucks and I understand with financial aid from the cement plant so the cement trucks could avoid downtown Clarkdale and Cottonwood. NOTE: Bypass and for the cement trucks.

For those of us who are truly concerned about the economic future of our Village (ie. property values, tax revenue), we should consider positive change rather than immediately oppose it.

I find that current reporting seems to hold the Catholic Church to a higher standard than what Protestant churches are held to or is it because people believe the Catholic Church has deep pockets. Let’s be fair. Report all abuse.

There is an informative publication on the FAA website that speaks to the city’s right, obligation even, to charge user fees to help make the airport financially self-sustaining.

The fact that this road never had public support as seen by the fact that Jerome, Camp Verde and most recently the Beaver Creek communities have publicly come out against it.

All the opinions seen on Verde Connect seem to be from Camp Verde residents. How about an opinion from a Cornvillian?

Many mistakes have been made throughout the Verde Connect process by both those for and against the project.

I am proud that the Town of Camp Verde Council had the wisdom and courage to recognize this proposed project for what it is: A poorly conceived, waste of taxpayer’s dollars that does nothing to deal with the very real traffic issues that exist in Yavapai County today.

I would like to comment on a couple points in the June 9th editorial regarding the “high cost” of public safety retirement pensions.

As many of my Cottonwood neighbors do, I walk most mornings. I have been very disturbed by the increased litter of plastic bags stuck to cacti, trees and throughout our beautiful desert.

The results of the Verde Valley Master Transportation Plan 2015 public participation of only 45 people from three towns should not have been accepted as credibly representative.

This project has to have a connector road from the bridge on the Verde River to Middle Verde Road. It is the main requirement of the bridge grant from the Federal Government.

We came through Sedona for the first time in late August 1969. It looked like a gorgeous place that was almost empty. We have come back to Sedona ever since and finally moved to VOC in 2012.

It is very unfair to lump the Arizona State Retirement System in with this editorial about the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System.

So let’s stop calling people names and actually talk to people as opposed to talking down to people with the idea “I’ve been here longer and know better. so shut up”.

Now, if in 2011 I had planted an Obama banner in the back of my truck and led a one-man parade, many, many, many times through our fine city, it would have been fair and balanced, and quite accurate to refer to me as a nincompoop.

President Trump has been successful with his promises and actions and has stolen the thunder in advance from Democrat hopefuls.

I just got through reading another letter from a probably newbie who thinks the best solution to our traffic problems is to rebuild the bridge across Oak Creek at Red Rock Crossing.

Mr. Fairchild’s comment to “put the bridge back at Red Rock Crossing…” has one problem- there never was a bridge at Red Rock Crossing.

On behalf of Sedona Public Library, I would like to thank the entire community for support of library services and programs. There are too many people to name individually, so I will highlight groups and organizations: Big Park Regional Coordinating Council, Church of the Nazarene, Sedona Car Club, Sedona Winds Retirement Community and the Village Business Association.

Those of you who moved here, to the beautiful Village of Oak Creek, found a peaceful town with a high-rated school for our children. What happened? The Big Park Regional Coordinating Council has been trying to do what’s good for the people of the Village, with our zoning and community input.

“The American Republic, especially after the Constitution of 1787 was ratified, was a federal union. Thus a national criminal system was piled on top of the state systems. To be sure, the states -- then and now -- had the lion’s share of the crime and punishment business.

I want to thank Mr. Walter Cobler Jr. for a very heart-felt letter. I feel his dilemma. He has identified a few very important issues with the current administration, and I agree with his assessment. I have some questions for him, however.

Not all Republicans are Trumpers. Even some of his loyal base are not totally enthralled with their president. I have heard many state certain displeasures regarding his style and tweets and misrepresentations. None the less, his base seems loyal to him.

Once again Republican lawmakers want to make it more difficult for voters to have a choice on issues like the minimum wage, renewable energy, marijuana legislation, and school vouchers.

I wish to thank the seven volunteers who participated in the Verde Village section of Highway 260 on May 19. These volunteers were Gene Carrigan, Jayloy Thorkelson, Charles Mackay, David Nelson, Beth Cady, Kathleen Dusek, David Nauman, and this letter writer.

I am hearing about the many states that are initiating anti abortion laws. All I hear is about these anti-abortion sentiments and wonder where are the pro-life sentiments.

I’m a retired certified Arborist and I was horrified to pull up to my mobile home park the other day and see that our wonderful conifers across the front had been topped.

I’ve been a hard core Republican my entire life but I can’t hold back anymore and I must speak my truth. First; I will never vote for a Democrat, but I gave Trump more than a chance. Can’t I be a hard core Republican and question what’s happening with Trump?

I could go on and on with objections to the appearance and health concerns of an APS substation in our neighborhood but I think the issue is for the residents of Clarkdale to know what the town is planning and to have the opportunity for input.

Each year hundreds of birders descend on Dead Horse Ranch State Park for the Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival.

We were very disappointed by the cartoon in last week’s paper, insinuating that people who don’t vaccinate their kids are stupid. And then again, in Sunay’s paper, there is an article indicating that the school system is so proud that they have achieved their goal of high vaccination rates to support “herd immunity.”

May is Bicycle Awareness Month throughout the United States. Cottonwood has been a participant for 12 years.

After reading all the comments about traffic, it seems the only thing they all agree on is to route the traffic through someone else’s neighborhood.

The Mountain Bike Club at Oak Creek School is an awesome program. I have two children who participate in the club and both absolutely love it.

I have read the new proposed amended application for re-zoning by developer Chandrika Patel.

The traffic problem in the Village of Oak Creek and Sedona is a very serious problem.

This fee is common with many cities around the United States, it helps pay for things that this city needs like Emergency Services, and local infrastructure.

I grew up across the road from an airport in Southern California that had 10 times the traffic Cottonwood Airport does and never once did I hear a single person ever complain it was too noisy.

Manzanita Outreach held its Saturday food-sharing event Saturday, April 20, in the parking lot of the Verde Valley Christian Church, located at 406 S. 6th Street in Cottonwood.

When are the whiners going to stop whining? I have worked in aviation my whole adult life, lived in many different states, worked at many different airports. If you think Cottonwood airport is noisy, go and spend some time at Deer Valley airport, Scottsdale, and Falcon Field in Mesa. I think your outlook would change.

Before starting another costly go-nowhere project, let’s fix the problems we have.

All are invited to Yavapai College District Governing Board meeting to be held next Tuesday, April 23, at the Verde campus, 601 Black Hills Drive, Clarkdale, room M 137 starting at 1 p.m. This is one of only two times the board actually meets in the Verde Valley.

Since 1999, AZ law has required all Az Realtors to disclose vicinity of airports on their pre-purchase disclosure forms. Did not these people know there was an airport nearby?

It will probably come as no surprise to most Cottonwood residents that our city owned airport does not produce enough revenues to cover its operating costs.

Saturday’s community information meeting hosted by our newest councilwoman, Jackie Nairn, was attended by 50 or so residents of the Vertie Valley. We applaud her efforts to hear the voices of her constituents.

Airplanes and helicopters refuel all day and into the night. What kind of fire suppression systems are available at the Cottonwood Airport to deal with a gas or aviation fuel spill or catastrophic fire? Do you have any CO2 tanks or foam systems to deal with an “out of control” fire?

I live in Clarkdale and have read all the letters to the editor of the Verde Independent re the increased noise from flights to and from the Cottonwood airport.

We have owned a business in the Town of Clarkdale for the past 21 years; it has been a wonderful home for our business. They welcomed us in Clarkdale. We have had multiple reasons for enjoying our location, from the beautiful views looking out the windows and doors of our building, to the many services we enjoy.

The traffic problem in the Village of Oak Creek and Sedona is a very serious problem. When one of the City of Sedona surveys, done in January, 2017, showed that 4,300 daily trips are made between the Village of Oak Creek and Sedona, again, nothing was done to alleviate the situation.

As a 18 year resident living near the Cottonwood airport, I have a few thoughts about the recent airport controversy:

I wish to thank Editor Dan Engler and the Verde Independent reporting staff for bringing to light Council Member Michael Mathews’ private views and his behind the scenes actions regarding the airport.

I attended the March 12, Cottonwood City Council meeting to hear the unveiling of the 5-year strategic plan by the new City Manager, Ron Corbin. Following the presentation, I and several other residents within the city spoke regarding the Strategic Plan’s intent to expand the Airport as an economic driver.

Cottonwood City Council approved its strategic plan (April 2) . On Sunday, Cottonwood residents learned exactly what is going on behind the scenes with our elected officials, their strategic plan and the lengths they will go to see it succeed.

As more and more people migrate to the wonderful climate, people, and place that is Arizona, remember that there are those who came here before you.

If I am not mistaken, Cottonwood started out as a ranching and farming community in support of Jerome’s mining industry.

Mr. David Leibforth, unfortunately, in his March 5 guest editorial,, doesn’t perceive the value of teaching the Bible for credit in high schools.

As someone who lives near the airport I have become very concerned that the City of Cottonwood is looking to increase future tourism and business by encouraging increased use of our airport.

For most of our nation’s history the Bible was taught in public education. We are not wiser than our forefathers in this regard. We owe it to our youth to let them achieve their potential by providing them the tools of knowledge and the historical context of our culture.

I belong to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; the most progressive denomination of Lutherans. We ordain men and women, gay and straight, to pastor our churches. We believe in inclusivity, in unity within diversity. We cherish every human being as loved by God without any superiority, inferiority, or labeling.

More jets, helicopters and training exercises? If we don’t now is the time to make our views known to the mayor and city council members as they consider their draft strategic plan for Cottonwood.

Kudos to the clean-up crew who tackled the big job of cleaning Windmill Park in Cornville after the flood.

Mr. Gosar, who previously was a practicing dentist, did not display any type of clear thoughts, thought organization, respect for others, or any type of ability to get information from the witness, which, of course, would be meaningful to the voters of District 4.

Consider the consequences if your own mother had sided with the Senate Democrats and chosen this option.

My concerns about teaching the Bible in public schools outweigh my enthusiasm for such a task.

I wish I had something important to report but I have to say that someone who was raised in central California cannot believe that the Verde Valley was shut down by snow.

Too many fall victim to substances, legal and illegal. Commonly prescribed drugs are debilitating families and leading people to the street. Kids are over-prescribed and set up for a lifetime of drug consumption.

Much debate rages over illegal immigration, border security, and “Trump’s Wall.” The issue has become highly politicized and, yes, on both sides.

Rep. Kelly Townsend is to be applauded for sounding the alarm over cellphone spying. However, such snooping is only the tip of the proverbial spyberg.

I wish to thank all of the volunteers who helped on the Highway 260 cleanup in the VVPOA section of the highway.

Though 91 percent of Republicans, 92 percent of Independents and 98 percent of Democrats favor the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), the Arizona legislature is once again holding it up.

Thank you for giving us readers the commentaries by Byron York. His recent commentary on ‘co-equal’ was interesting, informative, and factual.

It is a very out-of-the-way bypass, if you can call it that. Anyone who is going to stop at Hamburger Junction is going to stop there, whether Verde Connect is built or not, as it is the only gas station/food area and everyone will have to go by there anyway, Verde Connect or not.

Tuesday, January 15th, the Cottonwood City Council ended the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) process with a 5-2 vote in support of the Parks and Recreation Riverfront Park Master Plan.

At this writing, there are two lamp posts laying on the ground and are the same ones that were knocked over less than a year ago.

My experience Wednesday afternoon on January 9 suggests an appropriate slogan for the Verde Valley would be “Land of Good Samaritans.”

Hopefully our next civil war will not last 30 years, but if we do not find middle ground I fear that this is where we are heading.

rump and the Republicans have taken our country backwards another several hundred years. Come on White House, get the government open, then work on your wall.

There is already a 200-unit senior mobile home park in place, Sedona Shadows.

I have to give grudging respect to Donald Trump and his art of the deal. Trump is very good at baiting people into his web.

I hear the talking heads claiming that the American people looked at Jim Mattis as a stabilizing influence on the president. Nah. For all the good the Press and Media do, they don’t give me that intimate a look at the workings of my government.

I’m heartened that a concerted regional effort was made to obtain this grant, but am left wondering why funds couldn’t be used for our more pressing transportation problems.

I do not need a half a page to contradict Mr. Michael Westlund. What he needs is a little common sense.

Despite any policy differences we may have, we hope we can agree that racism should find no safe harbor in the Arizona House of Representatives.

Little by little, new gods, growth, convenience, and more growth assert themselves in the Verde Valley, and soon no sacrifice is unthinkable on their behalf.

That was quite a turkey dinner that the Clarkdale Moose Lodge (No. 1449) put on for the seniors in our community last Sunday afternoon.

For 14 years, our four adult Golden Retrievers (Slim, Nancy, Joy, and Kudo) worked as Pet Therapy Dogs at Verde Valley Medical Center.

I am contacting you in reference to the amount of traffic on Pelia/Rancho Vista Way.

The family of Adelina Regina Razo-Gomez extend our most heartfelt thanks to the family and friends that have shown us love and support by joining in our celebration of life and laying to eternal rest our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother.

My point is, maybe it would behoove next year’s parade organizers to consider the safety of onlookers more seriously and to provide volunteers and/or police officers to mitigate crowds and traffic, so as to avoid having a very serious accident. It may be as simple as having signs posted along certain congested streets on the parade route to keep people back, or tape off certain residential streets, to block people from parking on those streets.

During this season of giving, we need to remember those who take care of our daily/weekly needs and are often taken for granted.

The Cottonwood Society of St. Vincent de Paul recently held our annual “Turkey Tuesday” food drive at Food City.

Every holiday season thousands of seniors are poverty stricken financially and emotionally as they sit at home alone … feeling forgotten.

As a 6th generation native Arizonan I can relate to Patti Hughes Letter on the decline of Sedona. I feel the same way about the whole state and especially the state government.

Why has Cottonwood torn up 12th Street again? Two years ago, they took a long time to rebuild it and now it is a mess again with no bike lanes and a rough surface to drive on.

A short while ago this morning I was tooling down 89A toward Cottonwood, maintaining normally a steady speed of 45 mph per the posted limit.

My first visit to Sedona was in 1986. There wasn’t much here. The Rainbow Room and the Art Barn provided nightlife and culture in that order.

I am now one of your elected representatives on the MUHS school board. You overwhelmingly voted me into this position.

Following the 2016 election of Trump we saw a surge in membership in the League of Women Voters locally and nationally

I am concerned with the cars traveling down our road. For one we have no sidewalks and people use our street as a short cut to the hospital, college, cement plant or wherever they go when accessing the Willard extension.

Even though our hearts are aching at the loss of our beloved “Lefty Ortiz”, his wife, children and siblings want to extend a grateful thank you to so many people involved in Lefty’s care.

It’s rumored that in the Cold War environment of the 60s, Soviet Premier, Nikita Kruschev, said some things that add up to this paraphrase: “We will destroy the United States from within. We will introduce little bits of socialism to the American people over time and one day you will wake up, and you will already have communism.”

My concern is that on Sept. 24, I observed a gentleman come into the rec center carrying a large machete-type knife in a sheath.

The front page of The Villager on November 1, 2018 had the “Verde Valley/Sedona School Report Cards” which shows how bad the school ratings are (except for our previous neighborhood school which received an A).

In her October 21 letter to the Verde Independent regarding Proposition 445, Jai Hurst informs us Clarkdale received an average of $299,434 annually in Highway User Revenue Fund (HURF) monies during the last decade. That may be a fact, but it is not the whole story.

For 10 years the Arizona State Legislature “swept” money collected for municipal streets in Arizona to pay other statewide expenses. In fiscal year 2018 alone, $90,000 was taken from the Town of Clarkdale that would have been used to maintain our roads.

A senseless act of violence took place at a Jewish place of worship. An evil man ended lives during a service celebrating life.

Thank you, thank you, thank you again VVMC for the gift of life.

As the mayor stated, the need for a city hall large enough to house all departments has been discussed for years. The opportunity has been brought before Council that would be an excellent opportunity to move forward, and it would be the best opportunity financially. The facility would cost a lot less that finding property and building a facility.

In response to Chip Davis’ letter. I am all for considering all the facts. Facts Mr. Davis should already know as the former Yavapai County Supervisor, but the regular Clarkdale voter would not be aware of unless they did their research.

Journalists, in general, are not enemies of the American people, but they are not saintly watchdogs keeping government honest, either. Few can put aside prejudices or a desire to remain employed.

Michael C. Westlund recently wrote a letter to the world apologizing for the “despicable, detestable, degrading spectacle “of the nomination process for now justice Brett Kavanaugh.

New rules on the use of public spaces proposed by the Trump administration and Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke pose a grave danger to this country’s most precious free speech rights and must be stopped.

In response to Mr. Stack’s latest missive of October 11th.

The Verde Independent reported September 22 that Tom Steyer-financed Proposition 127 would be rendered ineffective by legislation signed by Governor Ducey. While this may be true, it does not mean 127’s passage could not have negative effects, particularly as regards the Verde River.

We just can’t escape it, in the mailbox, on the television, or on our car radio, politics is everywhere. It seems every television and radio political advertisement we hear has twisted some slightly factual information into a totally different message to make us love or hate someone or some movement. For Clarkdale residents we will be voting on Proposition 445, a 10 year bond for public roads.

Prop. 445 is the Clarkdale Road Maintenance bond with a principal of 6 million dollars and bond interest and service of 1.3 million dollars for a total of $7,304,538.)

This is a historic moment for the county but in particular for the Verde Valley voter as we get to vote for our Yavapai Community College board member to represent us.

For examples of socialism that contradicts Mr. Foreman, there is Spain’s Mondragon Cooperative, Israel, & England. The Mondragon Cooperative, where workers are also owners, is the most successful socialist (or quasi-socialist) enterprise in the world. It’s not perfect, but it has not resulted in an abundance of dead.

This is a VERY delayed response to an editorial by Editor Dan Engler on June 13, 2017.