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FORMER COLLEGE ADMINISTRATOR ASKS FOR DELAY ON COLLEGE PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENT; ASKS BOARD TO GIVE BACK TO VERDE VALLEY WHAT IT PAYS IN PROPERTY TAXES

By R. Oliphant
Thursday, October 25th, 2018

Barbie Duncan, former Assistant Dean of Student Services, seeks equity and proper “seat at the table” for the Verde Valley for the first time in 50 years 

Barbie Duncan, former Assistant Dean of Student Services, asked the Governing Board at its October meeting to delay a decision on a new College president until January.  She argued that if the election changes the composition of the Board, the newly elected members should participate in the final selection of the president.  Under the present scheme as announced by the College, the current Board members will make the final selection of a College president regardless of the outcome of the November election.

Ms. Duncan also commented on the Attorney General’s investigation, suspension of the Verde Valley Board Advisory Committee, the excellent faculty, and poor administrative leadership in some quarters. She asked for a “voice at the table” for the Verde Valley.

You may view Ms. Duncan’s three minute speech to the Governing Board below.

Categories : Yavapai Community College

CITIZEN CAROL GERMAN PLEADS WITH GOVERNING BOARD FOR CENTRALIZED CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION CENTER

By R. Oliphant
Tuesday, October 23rd, 2018

Urges College to use some of $22 million tax dollars sent every year by Verde Valley residents to west side of County and invest it in a centrally located CTE facility on the east side

Camp Verde citizen Carol German pleaded with the Yavapai Community College Governing Board at its October meeting to use some of the $22 million in tax dollars paid every year by Verde Valley residents in property taxes to build a centralized Career and Technical Education Center over here.  Ms. German said that she appreciated the efforts made so far in the Valley by the College in its fledgling CTE effort but “they needed to be expanded.”

Ms. German also said that the Verde Valley is in great need of a trained workforce and the College should address the issue head on with a centralized CTE facility.  She pleaded with the Board saying, “Please hear our cry, you have the money, use our tax dollars, and help us get that established.”

You may view Ms. German’s speech to the  Governing Board below.


 

Categories : CTEC

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER OFFERS PRE-SHOW DINNERS FOR SELECT PERFORMANCES

By R. Oliphant
Monday, October 22nd, 2018

College advertises you can “Dine in elegance, without rushing to the Theatre — because you’re already there! Join us for dinner in the upstairs lobby of the Performing Arts Center” – Is it the only Community College Dinner theater in the Nation? Is this appropriate for a community college? For your property tax support?

Yavapai Community College Performing Arts Center offers pre-show dinners for select performances. In its marketing advertisement the College says that you can “dine in elegance, without rushing to the Theatre — because you’re already there! Join us for dinner in the upstairs lobby of the Performing Arts Center. An elevator is available to access the upstairs.”

Lobby doors to the state-of-the-art theatre (paid for in part by Verde Valley property tax revenue) and the downstairs bar open at 5:00 PM. Not many community colleges can boast of having their own dinner theatre bar.

“Seating and dinner service begin at 5:30 PM. Dinner includes entree, salad, side dish, dessert, non-alcoholic beverages and coffee service.  Vegetarian entree available. A cash bar will be available for those who wish to purchase wine, beer, and cocktails. All dinners are pre-paid reservation-only. If there are any food-related concerns, please contact the box office directly.”

The Community College looks “forward to having you join us for dinner soon!” 

Categories : Performing Arts Center

SEDONA RED ROCK NEWS JOINS COTTONWOOD JOURNAL IN REPORTING ON AG INVESTIGATION INTO COLLEGE’S ABORTED PLAN TO SEND ALLEGED POLITICALLY TAINTED POSTCARDS PRIOR TO ELECTION

By R. Oliphant
Sunday, October 21st, 2018

Verde Independent remains silent; Postcards allegedly masquerading as a newsletter would have hyped current Board members running for election

The Sedona Red Rock News has joined the Cottonwood Journal in reporting on the investigation into the alleged politically tainted postcards masquerading as a newsletter Yavapai Community College was preparing to send out just prior to the November election.  It is alleged that the postcards hyped the current Governing Board members including Ray Sigafoos and Connie Harris who are running in contested elections in their districts. 

The article, authored by Corey Oldenhauis, appeared on the front page of the October 19 edition of the newspaper. It detailed the conflict between College President Penelope Wills and Paul Chevalier and Wayne Meddaugh, who are running for the seats on the Board, over the meaning and application of Arizona statute 15-1408.  The statute prohibits community colleges from using their resources to influence the outcome of an election.

You may read the article by Mr. Oldenhauis on line in the Sedona Red Rock News by clicking here.  

Categories : Politics

COTTONWOOD JOURNAL REPORTS ON AG INVESTIGATION OF ALLEGED POLITICALLY TAINTED COLLEGE MAILING

By R. Oliphant
Thursday, October 18th, 2018

Verde Independent ducks coverage

The Cottonwood Journal was the first newspaper in the Verde Valley to report on the Arizona Attorney General’s investigation into Yavapai Community College’s plan to mail individual postcards masquerading as newsletters  that laud the College and the current Governing Board members.  Many consider the material to be a subtle political effort by the College to help Ray Sigafoos and Connie Harris in their bid to keep their seats on the Board.

The article, authored by Corey Oldenhuis of Larson newspapers, detailed the sequence of events surrounding the dispute between Paul Chevalier and Wayne Maddaugh, candidates in Districts 1 and 3, and President Penelope Penelope Wills. The article appears in the Wednesday, October 17, 2018 edition of the Cottonwood Journal. It will shortly be posted online.

The article reports that President Wills was sent three emails by Governing Board member Deb McCasland regarding the postcards but received no reply.  Paul Chevalier’s lawyer said he believed the College was “stonewalling us.” They then began legal action.

However, legal action was halted when Chevalier’s lawyer received correspondence from Wills announcing the College would not send out the postcards.  At the same time, the Arizona Attorney General’s office launched an investigation because of concern the College was violating a state law prohibiting it from using its resources to influence the outcome of an election.

Please read the full article once it is posted on the Cottonwood Journal website.


 

Categories : Politics

Yavapai College Verde Valley Campus to host 50th anniversary celebration Saturday Oct. 20 beginning at 10 a.m.

By R. Oliphant
Wednesday, October 17th, 2018

Free lunch, games, speeches and classes to be a part of the celebration

Everyone is invited to the Yavapai Community College Verde Valley Campus (601 Black Hills Drive, Clarkdale) on Saturday, Oct. 20 to celebrate the College’s 50 years  (this is when it first opened in Prescott) of serving the County. The events and activities are free of charge.

The College’s press release says that festivities begin at 10 a.m. for kids of all ages with games and activities like Jenga, badminton, croquet, bouncy house, dunk tank, corn hole, foosball and more. Classes such as “Yoga by the Vines” at the Southwest Wine Center (the college’s teaching winery), jewelry-making, and ceramics will allow visitors to roll up their sleeves and dive into some fun learning.

A free BBQ lunch will be served by the Yavapai College Culinary Institute students beginning at 11 a.m. Additional activities include face painting, flipbooks, chalk talk, pickleball, balloon artists, and a magician.

The Verde Valley Campus library, learning center, student union, and art gallery will all be open and showcasing their services, resources and artistry.

A special 50th anniversary reception featuring light hors d’oeuvres will be held 4:30-6 p.m., in Building M, Room 137. A brief program will begin at 5:15 p.m. with commentary from Verde Executive Dean Dr. James Perey and Yavapai College President Dr. Penny Wills/ This will be  followed by a short film with highlights from College history.

The Southwest Wine Center’s 50th Anniversary white and red wines will be available for purchase by the glass or bottle during the reception. This is the first time the 50th Anniversary wines will be available for sale by the bottle

Commemorative Yavapai College books, which document the history of how the school and its various campuses and centers have evolved over the past 50 years, will also be available for purchase.

Fiftieth anniversary cake will be served on the North Patio after the presentation. The grand finale will feature live music from a local Verde Valley favorite band, The Invincible Grins, performing in the Mabery Pavilion from 6 to 8 p.m.

Celebrity host Tim McClellan, designer and builder of DIY Network’s hit TV series, “Boomtown Builder” and Brett Graham, “Boomtown” lead carpenter will be on hand to introduce the band, take in the festivities, and mingle with guests as they kick up their heels under the evening stars.

Categories : Event

MCCARVER FINDS NOTHING POLITICAL IN ALLEGED POLITICALLY TAINTED POSTCARDS

By R. Oliphant
Tuesday, October 16th, 2018

Tells Board by phone that she sees no problem

If it were up to Governing Board member Pat McCarver, she would send out the cleverly designed individual postcards masquerading as a newsletter before the November election.  At the October 2018 Board meeting, she claimed there was nothing about voting or the election in them.  Therefore, they could be sent out.

You may hear the relevant portion of her view made at the October 9 Governing Board meeting below.

You may also view a mock up of one of the cards prepared by the College below that shows the political nature of the material.

Categories : Politics

WINE & DINE IN THE VINES FUNDRAISER ON VERDE CAMPUS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27

By R. Oliphant
Tuesday, October 16th, 2018

Tickets are $125 per person, some of which is tax deductible; event begins at 5 p.m.

The annual Yavapai Community College Wine & Dine in the Vines fundraiser will be held on the Verde Campus Saturday, October 27 beginning at 5 p.m.  The event features over 30 winemakers, restaurant owners and chefs who will provide tastings of their favorite edibles and drinkables at the event.

Proceeds directly benefit the Viticulture and Enology (VEN) program, providing scholarships, student activities and education needs.

Tickets may be purchased for the event by going to the college website by clicking here.

The genesis for the current vineyard began in 2009 when the Greater Verde Valley chapter of the College Foundation, which was shut down by President Wills in 2013, supported  construction of an experimental one acre Vineyard.  The chapter arranged with the Brewer Brothers Construction company to clear  one acre of College land without charge. The experimental vineyard was then developed by local  wine maker, Maynard Keenan. With the Community College  showing reluctance to move beyond the experimental one acre vineyard, Randy Garrison, Ruth Wicks, Bob Oliphant, Tom Schumacher, and Paula Woosley put together a business plan for a 20 acre vineyard on Foundation property  adjacent the Verde Campus in 2010. The plan was later presented to the Foundation by Bob Oliphant. The Foundation, after several months study, decided to move forward with a 20 acre vineyard. The Community College later decided to take over the project from the Foundation and the Chapter supported transferring the 20 acres where the vineyard is now located to the College.

The Chapter put on the first fundraiser associated with grape growing on the Verde Campus. This was the “French Flair” fundraiser in 2010 and it was the genesis for the current Wine and Dine fundraiser.  In addition, the Chapter prepared a detailed water study that would lead to the construction of the wastewater line from the Cottonwood Municipal Wastewater plant to the Vineyard.

Pioneers planning for a future College Vineyard: Randy Garrison, Paula Woosley, Ruth Wicks, Bob Oliphant, Tom Schumacher.

 


 

Categories : Southwest Wine Center

SOUTHWEST WINE CENTER HARVESTS 24.8 TONS OF GRAPES WITH HELP FROM STUDENTS AND VOLUNTEERS

By R. Oliphant
Tuesday, October 16th, 2018

Largest and most successful harvest to date

The Southwest Wine Center, located on the Verde Campus in Clarkdale,  announced October 15 that it had completed its most successful harvest of grapes from its vineyard since it began.  The Center picked 24.8 tons of grapes.

The harvest was accomplished with Yavapai Community College students and community volunteers.


 

Categories : Southwest Wine Center

COLLEGE SENDS STORY TO VERDE INDEPENDENT CRITICS CLAIM IS INTENDED TO INFLUENCE OUTCOME OF ELECTION IN DISTRICT ONE FOR RAY SIGAFOOS

By R. Oliphant
Sunday, October 14th, 2018

Headline and copy used in story given to the Prescott Courier and Verde Independent contain same words and same misleading information

Those critics who were suspicious that Yavapai College was attempting to influence the outcome of the District One Governing Board election for Ray Sigafoos when it issued a press release to the Prescott Courier about a Governing Board decision to apply excess revenue to reduce bond payments obtained more evidence supporting them on Sunday, October 14, 2018.  They pointed to a story appearing in the Verde Independent on that date apparently provided by the College.

The story in the Independent generated suspicion because it contained the identical headline and identical copy as the one issued to the Prescott Courier a couple days earlier.  The story quoted only Ray Sigafoos, who is in a heated political campaign with Wayne Meddaugh for the Governing Board seat in that district. Sigafoos is trying to shake the fact that he has voted for tax rate increases whenever the College asked for them for more than a decade.  The story provides, critics say, some cover for Sigafoos in the highly political issue of tax rate increases in the Prescott area.

The story is also inaccurate in that it says the $4.8 million is a “bond payoff.”  Actually, the $4.8 million reduced the outstanding bond obligation, it did not pay of the bond entirely.

The $4.8 million is the result of a failed project undertaken by the College and Northern Arizona University at the Prescott Valley government complex.  The College has never indicated why the project failed.  The money is a refund of sorts related to the cost of classrooms, parking lot, etc.  at the complex that was constructed and  paid for by the College around 2007-08.

You may view the story released by the College in the Verde Independent by clicking here.

 

Categories : Politics
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