Sedona, AZ — In an exclusive for Sedona.biz Yavapai County Board of Supervisors Vice-Chair Donna Michaels is interviewed by author Lane M. Badger, as part of Lane’s “The Other America” series.
The following interview explores Donna’s vision for her county, constituents and future of the community she serves.
“More than sustainability, regenerative practices will define the future of America.”
“The health of the land and the people and the many Issues within the Verde Valley will represent a broad spectrum of rural Arizona.” – Donna Michaels
Down a hard-tack road, dotted with ranches and barns, Courthouse Butte looms large as the dominant iconic backdrop. Red rock effaces, gullies, piñon pines, scrub… and an intangible peace drops me into this other world, closer to the “hozro” that transcendental Navajo frame of reference for peace, beauty, balance, and harmony… so precious, yet easily lost if political rooksters win in this upcoming election.
Donna Michaels, incumbent county supervisor of Yavapai County, (District 3), lives on a small, well-loved, working ranch. The inside of her home with dark wooden beams, western tack, and unique artwork, is a buzz of activity. It’s re-election time and the Primary on July 30 is just days away. Home, this morning, is ground zero for the campaign.
In the growing tumult of the political scene in America, the work of a County Supervisor may go unnoticed, but not by those in the know; the job of County Supervisor is the lynchpin of rural democracy where critical decisions for everyday people are made and fought for in the inevitable battle for land, water, and resources for the populous.
Maintaining a high-quality of life hinges on how your country supervisor swings on the issues that really matter, adding to the above-mentioned, health and infrastructure budgets: who gets access to what and does what with it.
The future, in short, lies in the details of a County Supervisor’s everyday decision-making and actions. There’s a price for living in rural Arizona while keeping pace with the essential needs and necessary services for the population. That’s the job.
This is a big swath of responsibility that requires immense energy, dedication, and vision; the woman with the angled bob and blazing blue eyes is up for the job, despite the attacks from special interest groups that want to knock her off-course and insert a new, expanded monetized version of Yavapai County District 3 into play. Just look at the areas that she represents, and the big looming issues are mind boggling
These are the main issues District 3 is currently facing:
- The Cottonwood polluting slag pile.
- The Sedona Cultural Park, Sedona Airport, turning Sedona into a tourist depot while sending residents and workers residents away.
- The Middle Verde Road.
- Wells and groundwater protection against increasingly aggressive designs on our water.
- Health services.
- Regenerative practices for agriculture and the land.
The Interview begins:
Lane: Where is District 3?
Donna: District 3 encompassesBridgeport – Clarkdale -Cottonwood – Jerome – Perkinsville – Sedona -Verde Santa Fe – Verde Village – Village of Oak Creek – Sedona and Cottonwood.
Lane: Donna, talk about the Districts in Yavapai County.
Donna: They’re inextricably intertwined. The fact is that we’ve divided the topography into five districts within Yavapai County, but we all share a common challenge about diminishing resources. That’s why I spend much of my time at the legislature. Rural water, particularly for our 44 rural areas statewide, is left to fend for itself. Since 1980, when we made the first and only groundwater legislation, a lot of development has occurred and changed the access to water. Whether you’re on Oak Creek, the Verde River, or have a well on your property, or even more… perhaps water for a municipality, all water needs to be in clear focus. Water is a key resource that needs protection, preservation, and regeneration.
You know, there’s the real problem of being north of the great Maricopa County. Now, a rural coalition has been formed, since my administration, of four supervisors from different counties. Each has very different kinds of water challenges. Diversity. How do we manage, balance, and expand AG (agriculture) while maintaining open space and growth while preserving the Verde River from the headwaters to lower down?
Since 1990, there has been a 41% flow decrease. And so, all this “deceptive” conversation that we’ve got more water than ever because of all of our conservation practices is clearly not accurate. The science doesn’t support it. And even if it did, wouldn’t it be wise to plan ahead and ask what is capacity based on the latest research? Shouldn’t we plan our growth according to what we think capacity should be? I don’t think we ought to be chopping up our land: land is water. They are inextricably intertwined. Development of high-water crops near the river is also not appropriate… or anything which would taint our water.
Lane: On that note: Would you be in favor of the wineries undergoing tests for the pesticide runoff into the offshoots of the Verde, and in particular, Oak Creek?
Donna: I do think wineries would be willing! I work closely with most of the wineries. For example, Eric Glomski, owner of Page Springs Winery, is “all in” for regenerative practices from solar to water. They recycle everything. He has housing there for his workforce, which I see as a model. He’s a part of our regenerative practices demonstration that I’m in the process of launching.
I hope to get approval for this from a national body that I serve on. We can begin to develop the policies on a national level with the Undersecretary and Secretary of AG and Rural Affairs, so that the administration has its attention on what we need in rural communities, whether it’s Arizona, the Western States or across the country. The Rural Coalition, new this last legislative session, has been very hard at work ensuring that we have a stakeholder place.
Lane: Does this encompass the entire state?
Donna: A cross section. So, we have from La Paz, Mojave, Coconino, Yavapai- all with very different water needs and challenges. Yet, they are one voice, and nonpartisan. Travis Lingenfelter, a Mojave County Supervisor from a well-known ranching and farming family, (very, very conservative) is on the Coalition. We actually see eye-to-eye on many things as they relate to water. Number one, we must ensure that rural water is secure in Arizona. I am not in favor of the United Arab Emirates growing alfalfa to ship off shores, and certainly not the California congressional officials pushing big almond groves and pistachios to just ship them out.
Lane: What do you think are the five top issues that you’re going to be contending with in the next few years, if elected?
Donna: It’s hard to winnow it down to five, but I will tell you what’s at the top. Water is going to be somewhere in the top two, no matter what. Also, health care in rural Arizona is clearly lacking. That’s an important issue. Our primary care physicians leave at a fast rate. It’s a revolving door. It doesn’t matter how wonderful the doctor, clinician, or nurse practitioner, if they’re not the same person that you go see on a regularly. People don’t feel very secure in their health care delivery services. It’s incumbent upon us to raise our voices to that. And I’ve been the only supervisor to do that, as a matter of fact. And I’ve written multiple op-eds on that subject. Health care will always be under threat.
Development, of course is a big issue. How do we preserve our open spaces and manage growth in a way that invites robust economies in alignment with our rural character, small-town character, and values? That’s a great challenge. I believe we can do both. We’re a farm-to-table, ready-made Verde Valley. There’s no reason for us not to have ecotourism that brings the right kind of people for the right reasons… and leaves the right kind of money when they go back home. One of the reasons that I’m so deeply committed to regenerative practices is because it invites opportunity; whether it’s for ranching, farming, or workforce development.
Lane: The Middle Verde Road (Verde Connect) proposed extension concerns many of us. Is it dead in the water?
Donna: The Verde Connect. I didn’t support it when I ran in 2020. It was a major plank in my platform, and I have not changed. We must preserve, protect, and promote our rural values. We have 600 acres of exquisite farmland in the Middle Verde. Verde Connect would, in a large measure, decimate it! It is not wanted by the Yavapai Apache Nation who were misrepresented in their application. Most communities, including my opponent, Nikki Check ‘s community in Jerome now support it! I have questions about how useful it would be in terms of managing ingress and egress, and congestion. There must be a better plan. I ask the rhetorical question why would you build a road, or even propose a road there? We could speculate, but I suspect there are many other ways to address our congestion. We need to do that. But building a road to nowhere is not the way.
Lane: Or… a roadway crossing Oak Creek!
Donna: Of course not. It’s precious. It’s our last free-flowing waterway, my goodness. Even having the conversation about that seems ill advised.
Lane: So, would The Verde Connect impact the Cornville Road?
Donna: Well, yes, it would. The question is where it would come into Cornville Rd. As it has been proposed by my predecessors, at White Hills. I don’t know what the functionality of that ever was. And I would question it again today.
I believe it’s a bit premature and it’s an understatement to say that we shouldn’t begin blasting our iconic red rocks, build bridges and crossings because we suddenly have noticed there’s a lot of traffic. Shouldn’t we have a bit more vision? As you know, these are sacred areas.
We, on the one hand, are blessed to live in an environment that by its own topography is sacred. And then, we have the overlay of our indigenous population that views and blesses it as such. We should respect it. All of us are here for the stewardship, and the opportunity, and the responsibility that comes with being a resident. I’m not about to squander that and nor should any elected official. We’re beholden to this land. We’ve got it backwards; we’re looking through the wrong end of the telescope!
“I don’t think for a minute that we should be guiding
the shape of the land. It should be guiding us.” – Donna Michaels
Lane: Powerful interests see this as a tourist economy to be shaped and monetized. Your primary opponent is part of that group that would see us developed, and overdeveloped. That’s one of the main points of difference between you and Nikki Check.
Donna: Regrettably, we’ve had forums and I’ve not been permitted to rebut. I have had mischaracterizations and frankly, erroneous information put out about me. It’s clearly not accurate. And Nikki Check hasn’t sought out accurate information. That’s disturbing to me because I’m not sure why she is running. It’s a question we should all be asking. What is the purpose? When I ran, it was because I saw a great need for an engagement that was not occurring.
Lane: Nikki Check got the endorsement by the Democrats of the Red Rocks; they put out a voting crib sheet with their choices for the primary election with her name on it.
Donna: DORR is not the official nor even recognized as an official voice for the Democratic Party and obfuscates serve its agenda. I always believed DORR was legitimately authorized by the AZ State and National Democratic party to speak on its behalf. That is not true. Now I have learned it is just a PAC. This PAC does not subscribe to democratic principles because it’s not transparent.
It’s more like a social club and a PAC, which I’ve recently learned about. I had assumed it was representing the voice of the Democratic Party, and I was stunned, and hurt, to learn that the three politicians who are in the leadership of the social club have politicized it, and worse yet, weaponized it because I won’t do their bidding. My job is to represent everyone in this county, and I am doing that.
“My candidacy is officially endorsed as the only recommended candidate for the District 3 Yavapai County Supervisor and supported by the official AZ State and National Democratic Committee.” – Donna Michaels
Lane: What is their bidding?
Donna: Their bidding, in one case, was to fall line with redistricting. I have to follow what is in the best interest of our whole county, irrespective of party… not what a political action group would like me to do because they feel I owe them. I am an independent thinker. My opponent Nikki Check has been bought in this campaign by two factions that came together to make sure they return to the good old days and to do what they say about redistricting. Let me drill down on that. I stand by my decision. I worry about our county as having a voice, a strong voice at the legislature if we aren’t whole. It’s difficult enough to be effective in the state legislature, particularly what could be described as a rather dysfunctional one. Yet, I was, and I have been very effective in it because I don’t let partisan issues drive my relationships. When you look at the redistricting issue, it’s a challenge to draw equitable lines. It’s now 2 to 1 Republican to Democrat.
Another “toe the line” case involves the mayor of Sedona requesting that I support his initiative for an ordinance on ATVs. I had our legal team at the county review the legality of that ordinance. I have a written opinion saying that’s outside the mayor’s purview, and it would not be the way to proceed.
So now, because of this being passed, we have more law enforcement funded across the state where ATVs and other off-highway vehicles are not obeying the rules. We’re not just leaving it to the Forest Service, which is underfunded, understaffed, and question their priorities.
My role is to translate our local voice into legislation and to support change that reflects the local voice and vision of our Verde Valley, and in our state. We’ve been left out, and our elected leaders have a unique opportunity to finally be at the table on all of the pressing issues, the good ones, and the bad ones of, rural areas. And we should be there. And what that means is that we have to change who we’re electing. We need to elect the right people for the right reasons, in the right seats. I’ve long held that if you do that then good outcomes will occur. The status quo is not okay. It’s not serving us now.
Lane: We have serious sustainability issues. Why are we not involved in promoting a more sustainable future?
Donna: Absolutely. Regeneration and preservation are central to my campaign and commitment as County Supervisor. Regenerative practices can heal individuals. Why is it that we’re just parking them in a car overnight when we could be teaching them a skill?
Lane: How about that gigantic slag pile polluting the ground and water in Cottonwood?
Donna: Health and Human Services is working with me. I have physicians working with me. I have the University of Arizona doing a study on the soil, on the water, and on people’s health and toxicity levels.
Lane: Who is Donna Michaels?
Donna: I have endorsements from former governors and senators. But the point is, what is the work that I’ve done? In 30 years, whether it’s academic, organizational, community level, and in this case, it’s governmental, I’ve been effective! I am tempered steel.
Lane: We need to develop a global spirit that can influence the world in a powerful way.
Donna: Yes. Ask yourself, why would the Sedona terminate the reclamation contract with our First Nations people that they were doing for Sedona? The reason was given that we should keep that water for ourselves rather than leaning on our indigenous leaders who know what they are doing with reclamation, in fact, breaking ground for a state-of-the-art water treatment. Why would we send those wonderful partners and experts away from us?
Heal the individual and we’re going to heal the land. We’re also going to heal our communities. That’s a vision that can be realized. We don’t have to park people in cars overnight at the Cultural Park!
But let me tell you that the only reason I got into office in 2020 was the crossover vote. Republicans voted for me in the general because they saw, having worked with me in one way or another in nonpartisan ways that I’m about delivering and working to bring up the health index of our communities.
Lane: So, in the general election, they can vote for you and maintain their Republican ballot?
Donna: Yes.
Lane: I can see it. Your spirit of service is profound. Do you have any other aspirations for future offices?
Donna: Political offices? That’s a very interesting question.
My commitment right now is to ensure that there’s a controlled and directed local voice that serves rural communities. I can do this very well sitting in the county supervisor’s office. Whatever happens globally and nationally, I think we all need to recognize that it’s us, together, in communities that are going to underpin the strength and safety of our country. If you can unite people around local issues which affect their daily lives, the polarities drop away.
“The regenerative philosophy is the lynchpin
of future progress and community health.”– Donna Michaels
Lane: The Smithsonian Magazine had a very interesting article on the expanding nihilism among people today.
Donna: There is a malaise and a nihilism growing in America. And yes, we are not all well enough informed in civil and civic ways to understand the risk that we’re taking by assuming we have the luxury of being a nihilist. You know, that’s for a conversation over wine when you’re not hungry; when you have housing; when your health is in order and when your community is safe. We’re nowhere near those standards in the communities.
Lane: It feels like we are on a precipice. We don’t know what is going to happen. So, security has to come through our community leadership.
Donna:
We’re able to find some sense of security at least in our local communities – places where we can get involved. I know that the power of a dedicated spirit of service is going to prevail.
Lane: What’s next?
Donna: We’re getting ready to embark on a major relationship with stakeholders across a broad spectrum of businesses: ranchers, farmers, agave growers, the Manzanita Food Bank (who wants to provide compost to quickly heal the soil), and the vintners like Maynard and Alcantara who could turn all that seed waste into energy. The 50 acres DK ranch has been provided by the University of Arizona to be our headquarters for The Center of Excellence-Regenerative Agriculture Practices!
“We’re going to keep helping one another in the places where we need help and not in the ways that somebody else thinks we need the help.” –Donna Michaels
The following covers additional information on Donna Michaels added by Lane Badger detailing issues, accomplishments, initiatives, actions and other milestones in her career and service as a Board of County Supervisors member.
Social Media Postings excerpted from Sedona’s Open Bulletin Board
SEDONA LIBRARY is NOT PUBLIC
Why the DORR Hit Piece Story About Donna Michaels Defunding the Sedona Library is a Far-Reaching Misrepresentation: The Usual Suspects want Donna Michaels gone.
Under Arizona law, specifically Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) § 11-251, a library funded by county taxes must be owned by a city or county. This statute outlines the legal framework for the establishment and operation of public libraries in Arizona.
According to A.R.S. § 11-251, when a county establishes a library system and funds it by using county tax revenues, the library must be owned by either the county or a city within that county. This requirement ensures that public libraries funded by county taxes are under the ownership and control of a governmental entity responsible for providing library services to residents.
The Sedona Library is a private library; it illegally receives 1.6 million dollars per year; it triple-dips from Yavapai County, Coconino County, and the City of Sedona. Under Arizona law, the Sedona Library is entitled to nothing. Fifteen public libraries in Yavapai County must share a little under 1.6 million dollars between all 15 of them! Yet DORR, a political action committee run by the usual suspects, published their little hit piece in the Sedona Red Rock News.
DORR is not the Democratic Party and misrepresents to serve its agenda. I always believed DORR was the Democratic party, and now I know it is just a PAC. This PAC does not subscribe to democratic principles.
Excerpted” from Sedona Open Bulletin Board: Kristen Regina
Enquiring Minds want to know, Donna Michaels’ Position on The City of Sedona Taking Ownership of Sedona Airport.
As your dedicated County Supervisor, Donna Michaels maintains a strong stance against the proposed transfer of ownership of the Sedona Airport to the City of Sedona because the City of Sedona currently does not meet federal requirements to effectively oversee airport operations.
Despite external pressures from the City and lobbying attempts, Donna Michaels stands firm in her commitment to adhere to federal regulations, including FAA guidelines, and refrain from endorsing the ownership transfer.
The City is displeased with their inability to get Donna to perform a good “old boy” deal and agree to the transfer despite the city being unqualified.
As a citizen of Sedona, I am appalled by the conduct of DORR who has put their own special interests above the needs of the Verde Valley. A loss of Donna Michaels would be a loss for us all. Special interests should not play a part in politics, yet Sedona is no better than any other place.
Donna Michaels places the well-being and concerns of her constituents at the forefront of her decision-making. Her dedication to upholding legal standards and promoting transparent governance highlights her steadfast dedication to serving the public interest. In her capacity, Donna Michaels underscores the importance of accountability and impartiality, avoiding any hint of favoritism or clandestine agreements. The more I have gotten to know Donna Michaels the more I am impressed with knowledge, accomplishments, and dedication. I have also learned the noise being generated against her is absolute rubbish and facts have been twisted to create malicious gossip. This gossip has a purpose and that is to allow a select group of controllers to steer the future of the Verde Valley and Sedona.
Effective county leadership necessitates professionalism and a dedication to public service, values that Donna Michaels embodies with integrity and conscientiousness.
Donna has worked tirelessly serving the Verde Valley and will continue to do so!” Kristen Regina
DONNA MICHAELS – BIO
Supervisor Donna G. Michaels, PhD
Donna G. Michaels, Ph.D. is a community engaged leader who has served in government, education, community and cultural initiatives, private industry, development and non-profits nationally and internationally. She is a published author on social policy, public administration and capital funds development. She has expertise in public policy, land use planning and government regulation.
Dr. Michaels has lived in the Verde Valley almost three decades and cherishes the rural, small town character and iconic views that are unique to this area. Her commitment to Yavapai County residents is based in three promises:
- Protect our rural, small town, communities’ character and/or Community Plans and Vision statements and
- Preserve our rural lifestyle wherever possible and practicable, our land use and critically diminishing water resources, and
- Promote business that support our communities’ plans and vision, robust, smart technologies and sustainable economies.
She is known for building teams of diverse constituents to develop and implement organizational goals. Dr. Michaels is a hands-on leader in execution or development plans through partnering with internal/external resources and recruitment and mentoring high performance teams.
She is accomplished in the areas of building stakeholder relationships, collaboration with diverse populations, board development, fundraising and program development, implementation, management and marketing.
Dr. Michaels is an accomplished public speaker, moderator, and published author. She has expertise in the fields of education, public policy, land use planning and government regulation. Her passion for horses has led to involvement, support and pro bono consultation for a number of equine organizations and ventures.
Affiliations
- Yavapai College Trustee, Board Spokesperson and Secretary
- Marilyn Sunderman Foundation, Founder, President
- Arizona Rural Health Association, Board Member, State Conference Organizer and M.C.
- National Rural Education Association, Board Member and State Conference Presenter
- National Association of Hearing Officials (NAHO), Member
- Arizona Department of Education, Arizona Risk Retention (The TRUST), Hearing Officer
- Justice Sandra Day O’Connor Speak Out Arizona Sedona/Verde Valley Advisory Board
- Verde Valley Land Preservation Institute, Board member and Chair 2019 Town Hall Forum
- Veterans Equine Therapeutic Alliance, Founder and Board Member
- Arizona Rangers, Verde Valley Company
Education
- D. Barry University, Miami, Florida
- S. and M.S.W., Summa Cum Laude, University of Nebraska, Omaha
- S., University of Southwestern Louisiana, Lafayette
Vote For Donna Michaels District 3 Yavapie County Supervisor
*Paid for by Donna Michaels for Supervisor Campaign Commitee
This is an advertisement
