Guest Comment

Payson Fire Department hosts open house Saturday, Oct. 15

In conjunction with this years’ Fire Prevention Week (FPW) the Payson Fire Department would like to invite all residents and visitors to join them in an open house. The theme for this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign (Oct. 9 through 15), “Protect Your Family from Fire,” sends a reminder of the importance of preparing and protecting your family from the dangers of home fires.

CHAMPS program helps fifth-graders

Every year in Payson, we peer counselors at the high school put on a huge event for the local fifth-graders. This event, known as CHAMPS Camp, has gained such recognition as to become the highlight of the students’ fifth grade year. Every child in an elementary school in Payson that is aware of the program looks forward to the day that they get to participate in it.

The challenge of poverty/beating the odds

Schooling takes place in the context of the socio-economic realities of the times and Payson is certainly no exception. The demographic changes in our student population over the last several years have been exceptional by any standard of measurement and these changes have and will continue to challenge our teachers, schools and district. Understanding these changes is crucial in being prepared to meet the challenges.

Tapping into Strategic Petroleum Reserve was a mistake

In June, Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced that the Obama administration would release 30 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) “in response to the ongoing loss of crude oil due to supply disruptions in Libya and other countries and their impact on the global economic recovery.”

It wasn’t all drowning and scurvy on those old sailing ships

A few weeks ago we took a look at iron men, wooden ships, and multiple ways to die. But I had to leave out and I felt bad about it — the trips that made it without killing off half the passengers and crew. Were they an important — but also not so great — part of sea travel? I’ll let you judge that.

Averting the fiscal crisis — why cut, cap and balance is needed

It is no secret we have a spending crisis. Far too long, both Republicans and Democrats in Congress have spent trillions more per year than we have, leading to staggering deficits and long term debt. But this isn’t a partisan problem. This is an American problem.

It can be hard to name life’s most exciting moment

Interesting, isn’t it? If someone had asked me about my most exciting moment when I was a kid I’d have answered in a second.

Good example of policy innovation, economic progress

In a recent column I wrote on our budget problems, I discussed some of the efforts Canada — which has outperformed the United States economically in recent years — took in the 1990s to turn around a massive deficit and debt problem. Recently, The Economist had an interesting story on yet another country that — at least when it comes to effectively managing its economy by reducing spending — deserves an examination. It’s the tiny nation of Estonia.

Lots of people help put on town events

Over the last couple years the Payson Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department has had to deal with many things including the economy and all that entails. We have had to rely on good people that are willing to give of their time and talents on a volunteer basis. This last year we have had several very large events including the Payson, Arizona Mountain High Games which was a huge success with 386 contestants. We had over 50 volunteers who helped put on this event.

Chaining the dogs of war — the rule of law and the Libya failure

For the third time I have voted against starting another war. Today I voted against two resolutions that would have congressionally authorized continuing, but supposedly limited, military operations in Libya. We are already militarily engaged in two fronts, Iraq and Afghanistan, and in my view, a third front on our Southwest border.

2011 Fire Season: It’s going to take us all

Every spring people ask us (the Forest Service) if we are ready for fire season. Some might say we can only know the answer after the season is over. But I believe we can be ready for wildfires, in fact, we must be ready, knowing events won’t always turn out exactly how we would like.

A serious fire could happen in Rim Country

The recent fires around Arizona may leave some of you wondering if something like that could happen here. The answer is yes. Hopefully not to the scale that we have just witnessed but it would still be a disaster if it was your house or your neighborhood.

Lobbyists did not act in GCC’s best interest

As a famous reporter used to say, “and now for the rest of the story.” The recent story in last Tuesday’s Roundup reporting on the successful lobbying on the part of Gila Community College lobbyists was basically factual, but not correct. Acting on behalf of GCC is the point in question. Senator Sylvia Allen began a year-long process to achieve GCC independence that culminated with the legislative process. “Our” lobbyists were instrumental in orchestrating a compromise with the other community colleges which resulted in a loss of $6.2 million per year for GCC.