Category Archives: Local Politics

Cosentino Interview – Podcast July 20, 2025

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Gary LaMaster

Welcome Back, Coz! After a multi-year absence, Steve Williamson and Karen McClelland welcome back Michael Cosentino, co-founder and longtime co-host of Democratic Perspective, to discuss developments with Verde Valley Democrats, Indivisible, and a new nonpartisan organization: the Rural Organizing Initiative.

Posted in Arizona Economy, Arizona Politics, Civic Renewal, Community Activism, Conservatives and Reactionaries, Democratic Governance, Domestic Extremism, Education, Elections, Government, Innovation, Interviews, LIberals and Conservatives, Local Politics, National Politics, Political Clubs, Political Polarization, Resistance, Rural Politics, Social Media | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Cosentino Interview – Podcast July 20, 2025

Jablow, Dunn, Williamson Interview – Podcast July 13, 2025

Posted on July 20, 2025 by Gary LaMaster

Reimagining Sedona’s “Cultural Park.” Steve Williamson welcomes Sedona Mayor Scott Jablow, City Councilmember Melissa Dunn and former Councilmember Jessica Williamson to discuss the future of the failed Cultural Park and amphitheater, which has been unused for many years. The city … Continue reading →

Posted in Civic Renewal, Community, Conservative Paranoia, Conspiracy Theories, Democratic Governance, Development, Disinformation, Government, Housing, Interviews, Local Politics, Public Private Collaboration | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Jablow, Dunn, Williamson Interview – Podcast July 13, 2025

Check Interview – Podcast June 22, 2025

Posted on July 3, 2025 by Gary LaMaster

Finding Common Ground And Common Sense. Karen McClelland welcomes Yavapai County Supervisor Nikki Check to the show. They begin by discussing the hiring of an additional sheriff’s deputy to help control the growing problem of OHVs. Addressing the possibility of … Continue reading →

Posted in Agricultural Policy, Arizona Economy, Arizona Politics, Community, Democratic Governance, Development, Domestic Policy, Education Funding, Entrepreneurship, Environment, Federal Lands, Government, Growth, Interviews, Local Politics, Policing, Public Accountability, Public Lands, Public Policy, Regulation, Tourism, Viticulture, Water Policy, Wilderness Preservation | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Check Interview – Podcast June 22, 2025

Ginzel Interview – Podcast April 13, 2025

Posted on April 14, 2025 by Gary LaMaster

Saving Democracy One Conversation At A Time. Steve Williamson and Karen McClelland welcome activist Kat Ginzel to discuss her success in organizing Democrats in a rural, red district. After Ginzel became a Precinct Captain, she learned that, despite appearances, many … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona Politics, Autocracy, Civil Liberties, Civil Society, Community, Community Activism, Conservatives and Reactionaries, Constitutional Issues, Democratic Governance, Disinformation, Domestic Extremism, Education, Elections, Foreign Affairs, Government, Interviews, Local Politics, Mass Media, Misinformation, National Politics, Philosophy, Political Clubs, Political Parties, Political Polarization, Propaganda, Public Policy, Social Contract, Social Media, Tolerance, Voting, Women's Rights | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Ginzel Interview – Podcast April 13, 2025

Horstman Interview – Podcast March 23, 2025

Posted on March 29, 2025 by Gary LaMaster

How Trump’s Chaos Impacts Counties. Steve Williamson and Karen McClelland welcome Patrice Horstman, Coconino County Supervisor, attorney and Democratic activist to the show. Horstman begins by saying, “County government, especially right now with what’s going on in the federal government … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona Economy, Arizona History, Autocracy, Bureau of Land Management, Civil Liberties, Civil Society, Community, Constitutional Issues, Democratic Governance, Department of the Interior, Domestic Extremism, Domestic Policy, Economic Policy, Education, Education Funding, Environmental Issues, Federal Lands, Funding, Government, Health Care, Human Rights, Interviews, Jobs and Employment, Judicial System, Law Enforcement, Legal Issues, Local Politics, Medical Science and Technology, Mental Health Programs, Monetary Policy, National Politics, Native American Issues, Public Accountability, Public Health Policy, Public Lands, Public Policy, Resistance, Tax Revenues, Taxation, Tourism, U.S. Budget, U.S. Court System, U.S. Forest Service, Women's Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Horstman Interview – Podcast March 23, 2025

Jablow, Williamson Interview – Podcast February 23, 2025

Posted on March 1, 2025 by Gary LaMaster

The Battle To Control Short-Term Rentals Continues. Sterve Williamson and Karen McClelland welcome Sedona Mayor Scott Jablow and former City Councilor Jessica Williamson to discuss the primary issue facing the city. They begin by reporting on a recent meeting of … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona Politics, Community, Corporations, De-regulation, Democratic Governance, Development, Government, Housing, Interviews, Jobs and Employment, Legal Issues, Local Politics, Public Accountability, Regulation, Tourism | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Jablow, Williamson Interview – Podcast February 23, 2025

Oliphant and Williamson Interview – Podcast February 16, 2025

Posted on February 21, 2025 by Gary LaMaster

Yavapai College’s Astonishing Lack Of Transparency. Democratic Perspective welcomes Sedona City Council Member, Jessica Williamson, and retired law professor and author, Bob Oliphant, to discuss the latest developments at Yavapai College. Actually, according to our guests, it’s increasingly difficult to … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona Politics, Community, Community Activism, Continuing Education, Democratic Governance, Education, Education Funding, Education Policy, Ethics, Interviews, Investigative Journalism, Local Politics, Public Accountability, Public Education, Tax Revenues | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Oliphant and Williamson Interview – Podcast February 16, 2025

Kinsella Interview – Podcast January 19, 2025

Posted on February 9, 2025 by Gary LaMaster

Making Representative Government Work. Steve Williamson welcomes Sedona City Councilor Kathy Kinsella back to the show. Whoever said that you can’t fight City Hall never met Kinsella who claims she actually likes listening to constituents. “I’m a people person,” she … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona Politics, Community, Democratic Governance, Disinformation, Government, Housing, Infrastructure, Interviews, Local Politics, Public Accountability, Public Service, Social Media, Tourism | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Kinsella Interview – Podcast January 19, 2025

Ploog Interview – Podcast November 24, 2024

Posted on December 5, 2024 by Gary LaMaster

Planning Sedona’s Future. Karen McClelland welcomes Holli Ploog, Sedona Vice Mayor and City Council member to discuss results of the recent election and many of the issues facing the City. Ploog says Sedona has hired a Development Consultant to help … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona Politics, Community, Democratic Governance, Development, Federal Lands, Fiscal Policy, Government, Housing, Infrastructure, Interviews, Local Politics, Public Accountability, Public Lands, Public Service | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Ploog Interview – Podcast November 24, 2024