Argues that over the years the east side of County has been overlooked by Community College administrators and Board while the west side has prospered citing Camp Verde as one of those overlooked areas
Third District Yavapai Community College Representative Paul Chevalier spoke to a group of interested citizens about Yavapai Community College’s past, present, and future at an OLLI gathering on the Verde Campus in Clarkdale March 2. Chevalier reviewed the background, history, and future of the Community College. He also shared his experience working on behalf of improving the Community College in Sedona and the Verde Valley as Chair of the Verde Valley Board Advisory Committee and as a member of the Community College District Governing Board.
Representative Paul Chevalier
Chevalier was particularly focused on what he sees as the inequitable development that has occurred between the east and west sides of the County. The inequity has occurred, according to Mr. Chevalier, despite the fact that Sedona and the Verde Valley have been paying “mega millions of dollars” to support the Community College over many years.
He used the town of Camp Verde as one example of an area the Community College has overlooked. He said Camp Verde is the fastest growing east side community with a growing population estimated at over 13,000. The Community College collects Camp Verde citizens’ property taxes, he said, “but spends practically nothing there. Its elected Town Council, representing their residents, understandably is not happy about that.”
He urged the College to correct the inequities “between the two sides of the County as soon as possible.”
Chevalier estimated that for every 10 people that live in the County on the west side of Mingus Mountain approximately four live on the east side. If the College spent $10 for every west side citizen and $4 for every east side citizen, said Chevalier, that would be equitable. However, he continued, that “is not the case.”
Chevalier also asserted that there is “major resistance” for equitable spending of Community College revenue on both sides of Mingus Mountain. The west side competes very effectively for dollars and “wants their projects to be the top priority.” He pointed out that more subtle influences or biases may be at work favoring the west side of the County simply because the College administration is based in Prescott, the College president and vice presidents all live there, and four of the five present Governing Board members live there.
He evinced concern about the huge gap between the east and west sides of the County in providing performing arts programs. He said he believed the College should start construction on enhancing its fledgling 10,000 square foot Career and Technical Education facility by adding from 20,000 to 30,000 square feet this year.
He urged his audience to attend and encourage others to attend a public meeting to be held about the future of the Community College at the Yavapai Community College Sedona Center March 22 at 4 p.m. “Frankly,” he said, “I need your help. I cannot do this alone.”
Mr. Chevalier has furnished the Blog with a copy of the speech that he gave to the OLLI group. You may read it in its entirety by clicking on the link below.