Larson Newspapers Managing Editor editorial blasts Wills’ comments at June 9 District Board meeting

The Managing Editor of the Sedona Red Rock News, Christopher Fox Graham, blasted Dr. Penelope Wills for her comments about the newspaper, its editorials, and cartoons in the June 24 issue of the Sedona Red Rock News. In her update to the Yavapai College board at its June 9 meeting, Penelope Wills blamed Larson Newspapers for the potential loss of the $4.5 million DK Ranch land donation in the Verde Valley.  She cited a cartoon and an editorial without naming the newspaper, which was obviously the Sedona Red Rock News.

Christopher Fox Graham

In his editorial response to the Wills’ accusations, Mr. Graham wrote that Wills’ incorrectly stated to the Board that the News had “submitted what I consider a very inappropriate cartoon and an editorial . . ..” He stated that “In fact the News did not submit anything to Steele Foundation or the land broker.”

On Wills’ failure to identify the News when speaking to the Board, Mr. Graham wrote that “she would at least have mentioned our newspaper by name. Since she apparently spends so little time on this side of Mingus Mountain and even less so thinking about the value of Verde Valley taxpayers, I’m not surprised she doesn’t know the names of any Verde Valley publications, though we’re flattered she knows our impact in the community.”

Mr. Graham also stated that “There have been dozens of letters to the editor from you, our loyal readers, condemning the college’s behavior and its 10-Year Plan. I have not seen one letter advocating the college collect our $12 million per year while only returning a fraction of that in capital improvements over the next decade. Nor have any suggested dumping our tax money on a new college campus in the vacant Prescott Valley area is a good idea. None have applauded the college for slashing Verde Valley education programs like the climax of a samurai film.”

There is much more. The entire editorial written by Mr. Graham can be accessed and read by clicking here.

Editorial charges College wants more but offers nothing–but happy to steal our cash

A May 22, 2015  editorial written by Red Rock News managing editor, Christoper Fox Graham, blistered the Community College for asking for a property tax increase while offering little more in educational programs in the Verde Valley.

Mr. Graham charged that “despite meetings and seeming steps toward equanimity, the college has yet to listen as it has not made any changes to its 10-year plan.”  He pointed out that the Verde Campus Executive Dean who is the “best advocate for the Verde Valley has no real community connection to his students other than having an occasionally-used office on this side of the mountain.”

Christopher Fox Graham

Graham observed that “the college already raised tuition and fees on students and now, to add insult to injury, the college is asking for as much as a 2 percent property tax increase to help pay for the misguidance in shifting programs and construction projects away from Verde Valley taxpayers who are asked to foot the increased bill.”

He concluded that “a county community college is supposed to serve all county residents equally. Yavapai College hasn’t and it appears that short of a lawsuit or secession from the taxing district or even the county, college officials will continue to ignore us but be happy to steal our cash.”

The complete editorial may be read by clicking here.

Essay outlines the feelings and views of student on Clarkdale campus about insufficient classes; creating a campus independent of Prescott

Yavapai Community College student Ms. Deb Wilson wrote an essay sharing  some of her feelings and views about the Clarkdale campus and its deficiencies.  The essay is entitled, “Where are the students?”  It is set out in full below.

WHERE ARE TH E STUDENTS?

It is 9:00 a.m. on opening day of classes at the Clarkdale (Verde Valley) Campus of Yavapai “Community” College, aka, Yavapai College. Where is everybody, I ask myself? I glance at the many empty parking spots, as I walk the empty pathway toward a tent and table set up near the Administration Building.

Bags are being handed out to the few students in the area, including me. With my little bag came a printout of all the activities going on that week. The first was a free lunch that day. Each course was being served in different buildings. I asked the person behind the tent table if all these activities were in Prescott, or here in Clarkdale. “Oh, here,” she answered.

This is such an obvious distraction, I think to myself: offering free lunch and “fun” stuff, but not offering the courses students want and need. I take the same class every semester, probably because only jewelry, ceramics, and a few other art courses are available in Clarkdale. Just a few of Prescott’s art & trade offerings include: Painting, ceramics, photography, sculpture, graphic design, gunsmithing, woodworking, drawing, jewelry, and several other art forms and advanced art forms NOT offered in Clarkdale.

My friend, David (name has been changed), a non- traditional student, started working toward an Associate Degree a year ago. The first couple of classes he took were easy to find in Clarkdale’s class schedule. Like David, I avoided “have to take” classes my first semester in college, because I hadn’t been to school in a long time, and wanted to enjoy the classes I took, and to get my brain reactivated. As ALL VERDE VALLEY RESIDENTS SHOULD KNOW, and as David found out when it was time to get serious about his major interest, there were few classes he needed, or wanted, available in Clarkdale. Read More→