Category Archives: Local Politics

Podcast May 9, 2022

Posted on May 9, 2022 by Gary LaMaster

Keeping Perspective: Looking To The Past And To The Future. As Democratic Perspective celebrates 11 years of programming, Steve Williamson and Gary LaMaster, two of the show’s founders, offer a retrospective of the past 11 years. Steve explains how the … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona Politics, Campaign Finance, Civil Society, Community, Community Activism, Conservatives and Reactionaries, Criminal Justice Reform, Cultural Change, Dark Money, Democratic Governance, Disinformation, Economic Policy, Elections, Ethics, Founding Fathers, Funding, Government, Interviews, Journalism, Local Politics, Medicare, National Politics, Pandemic, Political Candidacy, Political Clubs, Political Contributions, Political Polarization, Privatization, Social Security | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

McClelland, Hermen, Isom Interview – Podcast March 28, 2022

Posted on March 28, 2022 by Gary LaMaster

Critical Race Theory As A Political Weapon. Our guest host, Holli Ploog, welcomes Heather Hermen, Heather Isom, and our own Karen McClelland to discuss their views of Critical Race Theory (CRT) and public education in general. To begin, let’s be … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona Politics, Bigotry, Civil Society, Community, Conspiracy Theories, Cultural Diversity, Disinformation, Domestic Extremism, Education, Education Policy, Food Insecurity, Income Inequality, Interviews, Local Politics, National Politics, Political Lies, Privatization, Public Education, Race and Class, Racism, Regulation, Scandal Mongering | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on McClelland, Hermen, Isom Interview – Podcast March 28, 2022

Fultz, Furman, Thompson Interview – Podcast March 7, 2022

Posted on March 7, 2022 by Gary LaMaster

Identifying And Addressing The Issues Facing Sedona. Steve Williamson welcomes three candidates for Sedona City Council: Brian Fultz, Pete Furman, and incumbent John (JT) Thompson. Steve leads the candidates in a wide-ranging discussion that addresses many of the most important … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona Politics, Climate Change, Community, Development, Elections, Environment, Government, Growth, Health Care, Housing, Infrastructure, Interviews, Local Politics, Political Candidacy, Public Lands, Public Private Collaboration, Public Service, Small Business, Sustainable Development, Tourism, U.S. Forest Service, Water Policy | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Fultz, Furman, Thompson Interview – Podcast March 7, 2022

Kinsella Interview – Podcast February 21, 2022

Posted on February 21, 2022 by Gary LaMaster

On Becoming A Candidate For Public Office. Steve Williamson and Karen McClelland welcome Sedona City Councilor Kathy Kinsella to discuss how to become a candidate for public office and run a successful campaign. Before moving to Arizona, Kinsella was elected … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona Politics, Community, Community Activism, Democratic Governance, Disinformation, Elections, Government, Interviews, Local Politics, Political Candidacy, Public Accountability, Public Policy, Public Service, Social Media | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Kinsella Interview – Podcast February 21, 2022

Kinsella, Moriarity and Ploog Interview – Podcast January 3, 2022

Posted on January 3, 2022 by Gary LaMaster

Sedona 2021: A Year Of Accomplishment. Steve Williamson welcomes Mayor Sandy Moriarty and City Council Members, Kathy Kinsella and Holli Ploog, to discuss the changes that took place last year, and what Sedona residents might look forward to in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Democratic Governance, Development, Disinformation, Environment, Environmental Issues, Federal Lands, Government, Housing, Infrastructure, Interviews, Local Politics, Public Lands, Public Policy, Public Service, Renewable Energy, Social Media, Sustainable Development, Tax and Investment Policy, Tourism, U.S. Forest Service | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Kinsella, Moriarity and Ploog Interview – Podcast January 3, 2022

Segner Interview – Podcast November 1, 2021

Posted on November 1, 2021 by Gary LaMaster

The Danger Of Online Gossip. Steve Williamson welcomes back Democratic Perspective sponsor and contributor, Steve Segner, to discuss the impact of social media in Sedona. One of the most controversial is Nextdoor which ironically bills itself as “an app to … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Society, Community, Conspiracy Theories, Cultural Change, Disinformation, Domestic Extremism, Government, Housing, Interviews, Local Politics, Political Lies, Public Policy, Tourism | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Segner Interview – Podcast November 1, 2021

Keene Interview – Podcast October 18, 2021

Posted on October 20, 2021 by Gary LaMaster

The Complexities And Frustrations Of City Management. Steve and Guest host Karen McClelland welcome Sedona’s Deputy City Manager, Joanne Keene, to discuss what the city can and can’t do to address common complaints and the city’s most pressing issues. They … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona Politics, Community, Education, Environment, Federal Lands, Government, Housing, Infrastructure, Interviews, Jobs and Employment, Local Politics, Public Policy, Tourism | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Keene Interview – Podcast October 18, 2021

Segner Interview – Podcast September 20, 2021

Posted on September 20, 2021 by Gary LaMaster

Replacing Misinformation And Fighting With Dialogue. Democratic Perspective host Steve Williamson welcomes Steve Segner, hotel owner and president of Sedona Lodging Council, to discuss changes in the City of Sedona. Segner begins by announcing an upcoming panel discussion on short-term … Continue reading →

Posted in Capitalism, Civil Society, Class Conflict, Community, Community Activism, Cultural Diversity, Disinformation, Domestic Extremism, Government, Housing, Interviews, LIberals and Conservatives, Local Politics, Political Polarization, Public Policy, Social Media, Tourism | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Segner Interview – Podcast September 20, 2021

Martinez, Williamson interview – Podcast September 13, 2021

Posted on September 13, 2021 by Gary LaMaster

Workers Priced Out Of Sedona. Steve Williamson welcomes Linda Martinez and City Council member Jessica Williamson to discuss a long-standing problem for Sedona – affordable housing. According to Williamson, affordable housing is defined by income based on a household spending … Continue reading →

Posted in Civic Renewal, Class Conflict, Community, Cultural Diversity, Development, Disinformation, Government, Growth, Housing, Income Inequality, Interviews, Jobs and Employment, Labor Shortages, LIberals and Conservatives, Local Politics, Political Lies, Public Policy | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Martinez, Williamson interview – Podcast September 13, 2021

Ruby, Lutes Interview – Podcast September 6, 2021

Posted on September 6, 2021 by Gary LaMaster

Fighting The Good Fight. Back from an extended vacation, Steve Williamson welcomes John Lutes and Jay Ruby to the show. Lutes is chair of the Yavapai Democratic Party, a business owner and manager who ran for Yavapai County Supervisor against … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona Politics, Civil Liberties, Civil Rights, Community Activism, Corruption, Dark Money, Democratic Governance, Government, Interviews, Labor Movement, Labor Unions, Local Politics, Paul Gosar, Political Clubs, Political Polarization, Public Education, Tax Law, Taxation, Voter Suppression, Voting, Water Policy | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Ruby, Lutes Interview – Podcast September 6, 2021