On Wednesday, March 26, we published a story about the Yavapai College Governing Board meeting on Jan. 16, at which the board discussed ending in-person meetings in the Verde Valley and conducting all future community college meetings in Prescott only.
The board suggested that it would post these meetings online or stream them so Verde Valley residents could still watch and speak to the board but that the board would no longer have to set foot on our side of Mingus Mountain, where a third of the college’s taxpayers live.
The board claimed that the effort would be to cut costs and save the three days of staff time it takes to set up livestreaming gear, run it and tear it down.
The community college owns two campuses in the Verde Valley, one in Clarkdale and one in Sedona — where the former Zaki Gordon Institute for Independent Filmmaking was once based before the college defunded it, then killed it, then restarted a poor imitation in Prescott — so Verde Valley residents may consider this odd. Certainly at these staffed, maintained, secured locations, the college could set up livestreaming equipment permanently and use them regularly. The board members also bemoaned that every few months, they had to trek to face their taxpayers on their own turf, considering Verde Valley residents don’t make the trip to Prescott.
If three dudes running podcasts in garages can draw in 10 million viewers, certainly a county community college can figure it out.
If the college can’t, then students must ask why on earth they are enrolled at such a technologically-inept institution?
Readers may wonder why Wednesday’s story was about a January meeting, and the answer is distressing: The community college withheld it and was reluctant to provide a recording of it until we filed the formal public records request to obtain it.
The board has still not uploaded the meeting; fortunately, we did, on our YouTube page, where you can watch it unedited and see what college officials really think about Verde Valley taxpayers:
Ray Sigafoos, an accountant who has been on the board since 2006, used the meeting to attack his critics: “There are at least two trumpets in the Verde Valley, who make it their object to whip up controversy about this college. One of them’s a newspaper, the other is a blog. [The] blog run by Bob Oliphant … he’s been a thorn in our side ever since he left the board.” He then read a quote about the college’s refusal to livestream meetings.
Editor’s note: Oliphant reported that at the March 16 meeting, Sigafoos moved to have the board live-steam meetings, like all over governments due in Yavapai County and the Verde Valley. Oliphant even complimented Sigafoos for making the motion and argument in favor:
“That was on the blog if you look at it, and I do periodically because I like to know who my enemy is and what he is saying,” Sigafoos said. Elected officials usually save that kind of language for executive sessions or private meetings, certainly not for the public record. It would appear that anyone who covers the community college and demands transparent and equal treatment is not a concerned citizen, but an “enemy.”
Yavapai College Governing Board President Deb McCasland, seated to Sigafoos’ right, can be seen nodding in agreement when Sigafoos calls a member of the public trying to inform fellow taxpayers an “enemy.”
McCasland allegedly represents the Camp Verde area via District 2, but has shown little to no interest in interacting with that community, to the frustration of both Camp Verde residents and the Camp Verde Town Council. Based on her comments at meetings, reported for Verde Valley taxpayers by Oliphant’s weekly blog and voiced by Camp Verde officials, she has not been inclined to serve Camp Verde or its taxpayers whatsoever in the past and will likely won’t in the future.
“That is a burr under the saddle, when you’ve got somebody who’s posting this on the internet,” Sigafoos continued, adding the Sedona Red Rock News to his enemies’ list. “I’ve never seen a copy of it, but I’ve seen some of their editorials — who make it their job to whip up actions and controversy with county residents on that side of the mountain.”
If any board members would like a printed copy of the paper after you read this editorial, I will mail you a courtesy copy. Give me a ring at (928) 282-7795 ext. 129.
We called Sigafoos several times for comment before our story was published, but he did not return our calls, perhaps because the caller ID stated “Verde Valley.”
Fortunately, Arizona public records law trumps withholding this meeting, so Verde Valley taxpayers demanding transparency and fair spending of our tax dollars can now see it in its entirety.
Sigafoos did admit, “We do have an obligation to make certain that taxpayers have the opportunity to understand our decision-making process, and Bob makes a very good point that when you have a meeting here, you have taxpayers with 100-mile round trip, which will take two or three hours to make that trip — they’re not going to show up, and if they have something to say, they’re not going to be able to say it [in] a significant amount of time.”
We concur, and that issue could be remedied by holding meetings here, notifying the public that you’re holding them and inviting public comment. By cutting out the Verde Valley, which happened in practice years ago and is now policy, it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Lastly, “a burr under the saddle” is the perfect motto for any newspaper in the American West. It’s a badge of honor, a point of pride and perfect for a bumper sticker.
Christopher Fox Graham
Managing Editor, and “a burr under the saddle”
Eye on Yavapai College statement, posted Sunday, March 24th, 2024
Neither the blog nor the Sedona Red Rock News should be perceived as an adversary, despite some members of the Yavapai community college board expressing such sentiments. Do Governing Board members and President Rhine lack a comprehensive understanding of the significance of the press within a free society?
By R. Oliphant
So, the Blog has provided what may have avoided them in their education in the following short opinion essay followed by a short series of questions to test their understanding of the role of a free press in a democracy.
OPINION: It has become clear that some members of the Yavapai Community College District Governing Board and Community College President Dr. Lisa Rhine may have forgotten (or never knew) the basic reasons a free press functions in a free society. At least that is what one gleans from their recent behavior.
For example, in January one Board member referred to the Blog and the Sedona Red Rock News as the “enemy” with the apparent agreement of another. Also in January, Community College president Dr. Lisa Rhine was working behind the scenes to prevent any video record of a Board meeting being easily made accessible to the public. The Community College’s press department has refused on occasion to either reply or to answer questions put to it by the Blog. Both recent Third District Yavapai Community College Governing Board members (Mr. Chevalier, former member, and Mr. Payne, present representative) have had to resort to the Arizona Public Records law to get information from the College. The College has refused to answer questions put to it by the Sedona Red Rock News. One Board member has suggested the press has lied about him but has produced no public evidence in support of that claim.
So, the Blog offers this short essay, prepared by Blog editor Robert Oliphant, explaining the vital role of the Blog and the Sedona Red Rock News (and other news outlets) in reporting on the Tax-Supported 100 Million dollar Yavapai Community College.
Introduction: In the fabric of democratic societies, the press, including local newspapers and the Blog, serve as a cornerstone, with their role extending beyond mere dissemination of information to actively shaping public discourse and holding Yavapai Community College accountable. Tax-supported educational entities, like the Community College, hold a unique position. The local press plays a crucial role in accurately reporting on its activities, ensuring transparency, accountability, and the maintenance of democratic values. This essay explores the significance of the local press and the Blog in reporting on Yavapai Community College and explains why their role is indispensable to the sustenance of democracy.
First: First and foremost, tax-supported educational entities like Yavapai Community College, owe their reliance on public funds and carry an overwhelming responsibility to serve the public interest. The residents of Yavapai County have entrusted the Community College with nurturing intellect, advancing knowledge, and fostering critical thinking, all of which are vital for the functioning of a democratic society. However, without effective oversight, there exists a risk of mismanagement, corruption, or deviation from its core mission. Herein lies the critical role of the local newspapers and the Blog. Through investigative journalism and impartial reporting, the Sedona Red Rock News (and other media) and the Blog serve as watchdogs, scrutinizing the operations of the College and bringing any discrepancies to light. By exposing instances of financial impropriety, academic misconduct, or administrative malpractice, the Sedona Red Rock News (and other media) and the Blog act as a catalyst for accountability, ensuring that tax dollars are utilized efficiently and ethically.
Second: Moreover, the local press plays a pivotal role in promoting transparency within this tax-supported educational entity. Transparency is indispensable for maintaining public trust and facilitating informed decision-making. When the Community College and its Governing Board operate behind closed doors, shielded from public scrutiny, it erodes the very foundation of democracy. By actively engaging in investigative reporting, the Sedona Red Rock News (and other media) and the Blog shed light on the inner workings of the Community College, unveiling hidden agendas, conflicts of interest, and decision-making processes. Through access to information laws and investigative journalism, the press holds the Community College accountable for its actions, and in turn foster a culture of openness and accountability.
Third: Furthermore, the Sedona Red Rock News and the Blog (and other local media) serve as a conduit for amplifying diverse voices within the educational landscape in the County. Yavapai Community College is not a monolithic entity; it encompasses a myriad of perspectives, ideologies, and interests. However, without robust media coverage, certain voices may be marginalized or silenced. The press plays a crucial role in amplifying diverse perspectives, shedding light on issues such as academic freedom, diversity, equity, and inclusion. By providing a platform for dissenting voices and marginalized communities, the goal is to enrich public discourse and foster a more inclusive educational environment.
Fourth: Beyond the confines of Yavapai Community College, the role of the press in reporting on the tax-supported Yavapai Community College extends to its broader implications for democracy. An informed citizenry is the bedrock of democracy, and access to accurate information is essential for citizen participation and engagement. When the Sedona Red Rock News or the Blog (or other media) fail to hold educational institutions accountable or neglect to report on issues of public concern, it undermines the democratic process. Conversely, when the local press fulfills its role as a watchdog, it empowers local citizens to make informed decisions and to hold elected District Governing Board officials accountable.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the Sedona Red Rock News (and other local media) and the Blog play a vital role in accurately reporting on the activities of Yavapai Community College. By serving as a watchdog, promoting transparency, amplifying diverse voices, and empowering citizens, we uphold democratic values and ensure accountability within the Community College. In an era marked by increasing scrutiny of public institutions and growing demands for transparency, the role of the Sedona Red Rock News (other media) and the Blog in safeguarding democracy has never been more critical. As guardians of the public interest, the news media must continue to fulfill their duty with diligence, integrity, and unwavering commitment to truth.
SELF TEST: Having read the essay, you may now test your understanding of the role of the free press in Yavapai County by answer the following questions:
- What is the role of the press, including local newspapers and blogs, in democratic societies, particularly concerning tax-supported educational entities like Yavapai Community College?
- Why is it important for tax-supported educational institutions to be transparent in their operations?
- How do local newspapers and blogs act as watchdogs over Yavapai Community College?
- What potential risks are associated with tax-supported educational entities operating without effective oversight?
- How do journalists promote transparency within Yavapai Community College?
- Why is amplifying diverse voices within the educational landscape considered crucial, and how do local newspapers and blogs contribute to this goal?· What broader implications does the role of the press in reporting on tax-supported educational entities have for democracy?
