Category Archives: Local Politics

Habern Interview – Podcast August 14, 2023

Posted on August 16, 2023 by Gary LaMaster

The First Rule Of Politics Is Simply Showing Up. Karen McClelland welcomes Llama Habern, Precinct Leader and Field Organizer for the Yavapai County Democratic Party. It’s been said that politics is not a spectator sport – that if you care … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona Politics, Bigotry, Civil Rights, Civil Society, Community, Community Activism, Cultural Change, Democratic Governance, Domestic Extremism, Education, Education Funding, Elections, Government, Interviews, LGBT Issues, Local Politics, National Politics, Political Clubs, Political Polarization, Public Accountability, Public Education, Religion, Voting | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Habern Interview – Podcast August 14, 2023

Deardon Interview – Podcast August 7, 2023

Posted on August 8, 2023 by Gary LaMaster

Reflecting On 50 Years In Public Education. Karen McClelland welcomes Dennis Deardon, former superintendent of Sedona Oak Creek Unified School District, who recently retired after nearly 50 years in education. He says, “The political landscape has certainly changed in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Education, Education Funding, Education Policy, Interviews, Local Politics, Public Education | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Deardon Interview – Podcast August 7, 2023

War On Woke – Podcast July 17, 2023

Posted on July 18, 2023 by Gary LaMaster

The Right Wing’s War On Woke. Though it seems no one can actually define what Woke means, the so-called War on Woke has become the GOP’s latest attempt to divide us based on rewriting history, discriminating against the LGBTQ community, … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona Politics, Banking And Finance, Bigotry, Business Cultural Change, Civil Liberties, Civil Society, Community, Community Activism, Conservative Paranoia, Conservatives and Reactionaries, Conspiracy Theories, Constitutional Issues, Cultural Change, Cultural Diversity, Democratic Governance, Disinformation, Domestic Extremism, Education, Education Policy, Elections, Ethics, Founding Fathers, Front Organizations, Human Rights, LGBT Issues, LIberals and Conservatives, Local Politics, Morality, National Politics, Native American Issues, Political Clubs, Political Lies, Public Education, Racism, Religion | Tagged , , | Comments Off on War On Woke – Podcast July 17, 2023

Del Palacio Interview – Podcast June 26, 2023

Posted on June 27, 2023 by Gary LaMaster

The Critical Importance Of School Boards. Steve Williamson and Karen McClelland welcome to Devin Del Palacio to discuss his views on education as a long-time volunteer and advocate. He has been a school board member for 8 years, served at … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona Politics, Civil Society, Community Activism, Democratic Governance, Domestic Policy, Education, Education Policy, Elections, Government, Infrastructure, Interviews, LIberals and Conservatives, Local Politics, Political Polarization, Public Education, Public Service, Voting | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Del Palacio Interview – Podcast June 26, 2023

Jablow Interview – Podcast June 12, 2023

Posted on June 26, 2023 by Gary LaMaster

Making City Government Work. Steve Williamson welcomes Scott Jablow, Mayor of Sedona, to discuss the latest issues and developments in one of the world’s most beautiful cities. They begin by talking about problems caused by OHVs (Off Highway Vehicles). The … Continue reading →

Posted in Civic Renewal, Community, Democratic Governance, Environmental Issues, Federal Lands, Government, Infrastructure Investment, Interviews, Local Politics, Public Policy, Tourism | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Jablow Interview – Podcast June 12, 2023

Westbrook Interview – Podcast April 17, 2023

Posted on April 19, 2023 by Gary LaMaster

The Latest Targets Of GOP Culture War. Steve and Karen welcome Brianna Westbrook, VP of the Arizona Democratic Party, to discuss political strategies and the GOP’s attack on transgender Americans which is designed to excite the party’s white “Christian” nationalist … Continue reading →

Posted in Abortion, Arizona Politics, Bigotry, Civil Liberties, Conservative Paranoia, Conservatives and Reactionaries, Conspiracy Theories, Cultural Change, Disinformation, Domestic Extremism, Domestic Terrorism, Elections, Government, Health Care, Health Care Policy, Human Rights, Interviews, LGBT Community, LGBT Issues, Local Politics, Morality, National Politics, Political Parties, Public Education, Public Health Policy, Religion, Scandal Mongering, Theocracy, Voting | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Westbrook Interview – Podcast April 17, 2023

Haben, Fernatt Interview – Podcast April 10, 2023

Posted on April 12, 2023 by Gary LaMaster

Double Dose Of Energy For Northern Arizona Democrats. Steve and Karen welcome Llama Habern and Julie Fernatt, co-chairs of the Verde Valley Yavapai Democrats. Following a highly successful campaign serving as Field Organizers during Arizona’s 2020 election, these two energetic … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona Politics, Community, Community Activism, Elections, Government, Innovation, Interviews, LGBT Community, Local Politics, National Politics, Political Clubs, Political Parties, Public Service, Voting, Women's Issues | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Haben, Fernatt Interview – Podcast April 10, 2023

Fogel Interview – Podcast April 3, 2023

Posted on April 4, 2023 by Gary LaMaster

From Educating Children To Educating Voters. Steve Williamson and Karen McClelland welcome Mike Fogel, former teacher, school principal, school board member, state senate candidate, and current chair of the Yavapai County Democratic Party. In a county with two-and-a-half times as … Continue reading →

Posted in Abortion, Arizona Politics, Autocracy, Campaign Finance, Civil Liberties, Civil Society, Climate Change, Community Activism, Constitutional Issues, Cultural Change, Democratic Governance, Demographic Trends, Domestic Extremism, Domestic Terrorism, Education, Elections, Global Warming, Government, Interviews, Local Politics, National Politics, Political Candidacy, Political Clubs, Political History, Political Parties, Public Accountability, Public Service, Voting, Women's Rights | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Fogel Interview – Podcast April 3, 2023

Casteen Interview – Podcast March 20, 2023

Posted on March 23, 2023 by Gary LaMaster

Bigotry Under The Banner Of Religion. Karen McClelland welcomes Jeanne Casteen of Secular Coalition AZ. The organization is a lobbying group and watchdog for policies that erode the separation of church and state which is enshrined in the Constitution. Article … Continue reading →

Posted in Anti-Gay Discrimination, Arizona Politics, Bigotry, Child Protection, Civil Liberties, Civil Rights, Community Activism, Constitutional Issues, Cultural Change, Cultural Diversity, Democratic Governance, Demographic Trends, Domestic Extremism, Education, Education Policy, Elections, Government, Interviews, Legal Issues, LGBT Issues, Local Politics, National Politics, Political Polarization, Public Education, Public Policy, Religion, Theocracy | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Casteen Interview – Podcast March 20, 2023

Indicavitch Interview – Podcast February 27, 2023

Posted on February 28, 2023 by Gary LaMaster

Fending Off Republicans’ Continuing Attacks On Education. Steve and Karen welcome Nicki Indicavitch, State Outreach Director for Save Our Schools Arizona. A mother of five kids, she became involved with the organization after discovering how difficult it is for public … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona Politics, Community, Conservative Paranoia, Conservatives and Reactionaries, Conspiracy Theories, Cultural Change, Domestic Extremism, Education, Education Funding, Education Policy, Government, Interviews, Local Politics, National Politics, Political Polarization, Privatization, Public Education, Special Interest Legislation | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Indicavitch Interview – Podcast February 27, 2023