November 17, 2006

Editor,
It is truly questionable why the tri-city councils continue to resist joining the Verde River Basin Partnership. Recently, Mayor Von Gausig, of Clarkdale, has attempted to open up the dialog with local officials, dispel myths about the structure and purpose of the Partnership, and offered compelling arguments for the benefits of joining the Partnership. Von Gausig made it clear that it’s impossible, under Arizona laws, for the Partnership to impose water policies on any municipalities. Rather, the Partnership’s purpose is to facilitate the collection of scientific data to support informed water resource planning. Up to $8 million could be allocated for research conducted by agencies such as USGS, if Prescott and others join the Partnership. Instead, the councils have remained isolationists, and have opted to spend local tax dollars to pay for research by private consultants. Senator McCain clearly expects elected officials to join the Partnership. City officials interpret the statement, “elected officials should play a major roll” in the Partnership as: they should play the ONLY role. This neglects other legislative guidelines that call for the Partnership to consist of a “knowledgeable group of balanced interests” including federal, state and local agencies, plus economic, environmental, and community water interests.  The cities claim the Partnership is dominated by “special interests,” however environmental groups represent only 2 out of 35 votes in the Partnership. Using water resources in the Verde watershed inherently creates issues of environmental concern. If the cities neglect these concerns or refuse to commit to cooperation with Verde Valley communities, they are, themselves, behaving like a “special interest”. The Partnership is clearly the best way for the cities to obtain objective and credible scientific information for managing our water resources. Avoiding the Partnership and this responsibility should rouse public suspicion.

Ashley Fine, 
Prescott 

November 10, 2006

Thanks to all of you folks - editors and writers alike - for a job
well done! We now have a viable, local, alternative news outlet on the web!
One thing to point out, however, in the interest of making our Mac
Users happy...As I read Candace's "Water Wars 2006: a Primer" in full
(after clicking Read More on the front page), the text flows out to
the right and is superimposed on the ad frames there. Also the
"Prescott water conservation Q&A" frame is out of place (is that a
link?). I run all of the current Mac OSX software, including the Safari browser.
I hope this helps...and wish I knew some authoring tricks to help you
out.
THANK YOU ALL for all that you do.
Brad Martin
Prescott

November 8, 2006

Donald's criticism:

Donald is pleased by seeing mucho progressive content. Ashley Fine's democracy article says "local politics is where it's at." Yes yes.

There's an attractive front page but some text ends up on top of pix at right. I couldn't print the shooting sports article for my gun hobbyist hiking buddy, John. Donald doesn't like guns but can't deny anyone enjoyment of their hobby. John often teaches gun safety.

Erica's low angle photo of aspens is cool, but would have been cooler if the man had been naked.

The Outdoor News reports controlled burns but not how to end them.

There's a Personal Feed to PLUCK, but you must sign in. Sign in to what?

Art Merrill's opinion article about truth is a good way to begin a new publication. Yes, let us know the Read-It-News take on facts and truth.

Tony Krzysik's conservative article is too complicated. Get down to earth and local. Is it true that most Prescott Sierra Club members are Republicans?

Candace McNulty has a great head but her articles are too long. Candace erred in reporting that groundwater fills pores in rock. Groundwater fills dirt that has settled in basins and valleys. I'm told that our Big Chino Valley contains dirt piled up over many years to a depth of roughly 2000 feet. Can't get water from rock. No.

Thank you for starting a much-needed local publication.

Space Alien Donald Roth
Prescott

November 6, 2006

Editor,

Your premier issue is like a breath of fresh air. I plan to be a regular visitor. Your coverage of the Dalke property was especially timely and may help to inform your readers of the real value of this area to our town. This is my backyard and I greatly feel the loss of a favorite hiking area. Maybe your article will ultimately help preserve a good portion of the area as public open space.

Ron Smith
Castle Rock Publishing
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November 3, 2006

B e a u t i f u l  & SMART !!
What a great beginning! Thank you !  We need your news magazine. We need open thinking.

Agnes Franz 
Author of HISTORIC PRESCOTT & SMIRK~Over 1450 Smiles for Your Face

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