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We support Donna Michaels in her bid for re-election to District 3 Yavapai County Supervisor.
She is ready to listen, discuss and problem solve any issue that concerns her constituents. Personally, we have worked with her on many issues involving health care in Northern Arizona, grazing and OHV issues on forest lands in both Yavapai and Coconino counties. We admire Donna because she doesn’t hesitate to work across party lines to get things done. She is a strong leader who seeks resolutions that work for the people she represents.
Andy & Mary Beth Groseta
Groseta Ranches
As a long time resident and active volunteer in the community, I’m extremely proud to endorse Supervisor Michaels for re-election as our County Supervisor. No one has worked harder to secure funding for much needed infrastructure, preserve our precious resources and improve our access to quality healthcare. From tackling rural water management to meeting with the US Forest Service about our public lands, Supervisor Michaels always goes above and beyond to fight for our community.
I strongly support and endorse Supervisor Donna Michaels. She has an open door policy, listens to all stakeholders and works non-stop to find solutions to our challenges. Whether she’s working on rural water policy, OHV’s, healthcare, housing or workforce development, she knows how to work across the aisle to create effective bipartisan solutions. She is a tireless advocate for Yavapai County and District 3. Please join me in supporting Supervisor Donna Michaels for re-election.
I am a senior, and I have worked closely with Supervisor Michaels on several issues relating to our population. She has worked tirelessly on several projects that greatly impact our seniors, such as securing quality health care in the Verde Valley, rent control in our 55+ senior communities, and working with me on the Chase Project delivering beautiful stuffed dogs to the Infusion Unit at the hospital, the Dialysis Lab, and to those seniors who can no longer get out in the community.
As District 3 Supervisor, Donna has also worked on many other issues in a very non-partician way.
She is totally committed to doing what is best for the residents of the Verde Valley.
Her priorities are issues that impact our communities, like water and land use, growing local businesses, and keeping the rural character of our area.
Donna is a dedicated elected official who cares greatly about her constituents. She possesses the desired qualities of a good leader such as integrity, strength, and excellent communication skills.
Therefore, I am happy to endorse Supervisor Donna Michaels as a candidate for re-election to the position of Yavapai County District 3 Supervisor.
Jan Tomlinson
Founder of the Chase Project
We are writing to express our strong support for Donna Michaels as the next Yavapai County District 3 Supervisor.
Donna has proven herself to be a dedicated advocate for the residents of the Verde Valley, consistently championing causes that benefit the community regardless of political affiliation.
One such issue that Donna has taken on is the preservation of quality healthcare in the Verde Valley. When Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) proposed building a new hospital and healthcare village in Flagstaff, Donna recognized the potential negative impact on Verde Valley services. Despite NAH’s strategic plan of 2019 to improve all facilities, they were allocating a substantial amount of funds towards the Flagstaff project.
Donna uncovered NAH’s application for $450 million in bond money from the Yavapai County Industrial Development Board for their Flagstaff facility. Although
the IGA board initially approved the bonds, Donna’s leadership rallied other supervisors in opposition, leading NAH to withdraw their application. With the
support of Donna and many others, the rezoning ordinance for the Flagstaff property was later put to a referendum and was defeated by a significant margin
of 72%.
Donna’s ongoing dialogue with NAH and the community highlights her commitment to ensuring quality healthcare for the Verde Valley.
Please vote for Donna in the upcoming primary to continue her work advocating for the residents of District 3.
Joe & Alma Nackard
In reviewing what I wrote endorsing Donna Michaels for County Supervisor in 2020, I find nothing that I would change today in March of 2024. Specifically, my statements about her support and commitment to and for:
- Community Plans
- Local Control
- Collaboration
- Related Experience (has only grown significantly deeper)!
- And…Personal Characteristics of:
- Transparency
- Integrity
- and … Accountability
It is the last major bullet I’d like to comment further about, as I’ve had many of the same experiences serving on Sedona’s City Council. Neither Donna nor I could claim to have made ALL the decisions each public voting member would have made themselves. We all have differing levels of knowledge and experience on each topic. In some cases, after the fact, and time passing, we public figures may even conclude that we should have made the opposite decision.
The important point to consider is that “Nobody’s Perfect”. And, given that, who one decides to vote for, I propose, is 1). the one with the broadest experience, 2). the one by personal dedication and service to the greater area exemplifies commitment to the general welfare of all, and 3). has the integrity, accountability and finally transparency to discuss politely, any issue with anyone.
In light of these criteria, I continue to unequivocally endorse Donna Michaels.
Ernie Strauch
Former Sedona City Councilor and Vice-Mayor
I have known Donna Michaels for most of the 28 years my husband and I have lived in Sedona.
Sedona residents are very fortunate to have a Yavapai County supervisor who is as knowledgeable and committed as she is. Donna truly cares about the Verde Valley and she works to represent her constituents with knowledge and passion.
If you call Donna with a comment or concern, she responds quickly with information. Having a county supervisor so committed to the Verde Valley benefits all of us. And, upon full consideration and reflection, I suggest, “It’s best not to change horses in the middle of the stream.” My horse agrees!
Karen Strauch
Former Board Member, Sedona Women, Program Committee, League of Women Voters
I have had the privilege of knowing Donna Michaels for over 25 years, and in that time, I’ve witnessed her unwavering dedication to Yavapai County and the State. Since Donna took office, she has proven my predictions right by consistently working across party lines to prioritize the needs of her district and constituents. Together, we’ve collaborated on various critical projects, including the Rural Health Initiative and specific development issues pertinent to District 3; such as rural water security, OHV legislation and much more.
During my tenure as Senate Chairman of the Natural Resources, Transportation, and Environment Committee, Donna’s expertise in water issues has been invaluable to me. In her first term she worked with valued stakeholders, including the Arizona Cattle Growers Association (ACGA), Yavapai Cattle Growers Association (YCGA), United States Forest Service (USFS), the Prescott National Forest and Coconino National Forest, as well as securing through Mayors, Senate Leadership, USFS Chief Randy Moore for a tour of the extensive damage that OHV use cause to our States important Cattle ranching grazing permittees. She further assisted in the implementation of a precedent setting Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the YCGA and the USFS to assure agreed upon metrics are equitably utilized to best protect our cattle ranching industry. Donna has always been a reliable source of knowledge and guidance. I’ve long admired her initiative and leadership, always driving towards accomplishing the task at hand.
Donna’s extensive experience serving on numerous National and Statewide Boards and Commissions speaks volumes about her ability to build effective teams and tackle challenging issues head-on. She has consistently demonstrated her commitment to resolving complex issues for the betterment of our community.
Without a doubt, Donna Michaels is exceptionally qualified and will continue to excel as Yavapai County District 3 Supervisor if reelected. It is with full confidence and support that I endorse her for this crucial position.
Linda Binder
Former State Senator and Chair of the Natural Resources, Transportation, and Environmental Committee
It is our pleasure and honor to endorse Dr. Donna Michaels for reelection to District 3 on the County Board of Supervisors.
Donna has proven a diligent and loyal leader on behalf of her constituents, locally, county, and statewide.
I have personally worked with Donna Michaels as she collaborated with the Yavapai Cattle Growers Association (YCGA), in helping to produce a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Prescott National Forest and YCGA. This has included generating the support of the County Board of Supervisors for the needs of the permittee ranching community with State, and national leaders. The MOU included numerous organizations, such as, The Arizona Cattle Growers, the Triangle /Chino Winds Natural Resource District, the University of Arizona, our Arizona Congressional leaders, and member of the us House and Senate, and the United States Forest Service, District 3, and Prescott National Forest leaders.
In all these Dr. Michaels has worked collaboratively with all parties to seek a positive outcome for our Yavapai County ranchers, which was achieved this past fall and culminated with a historic meeting with all the involved parties and the United States Forest Service Chief Moore, hosted by Dr. Michaels and the County Board of Supervisors at the Cottonwood Board of Supervisors Board Room.
Dr. Michaels has met with the Old Town Mission Board on which I serve to better understand the needs of the less fortunate and how she may be of assistance. This is another example of her desire to serve all of her constituents.
Donna also attends to the needs of the individuals within her district as she actively pursues constructive solutions for the safety and good of her district. Vicki and I can personally attest to her proactive action and support.
These are but a few examples of Donna Michael’s involvement at all levels of responsibility to demonstrate her passion for all and her active, persevering, and listening approach to leadership. As such, Vicki and I heartily endorse Donna for reelection, as she has proven herself and deserves another term in office working on her district’s behalf.
John “Ken” and Vicki Ligon
Cornville
My name is Herald Harrington, I am writing to endorse Donna Michaels reelection to a second term as Yavapai County District 3 Supervisor.
My wife Norela and I owned and operated an engineering and manufacturing business in Clarkdale, AZ for 43 years. During that time, we had the opportunity to work with many local leaders and officials, and I can say with confidence that Donna stands out among them all.
As a long-time resident and business owner in the area, I have had the pleasure of observing Donna’s dedication and commitment to our community on many occasions.
I had the privilege of serving with Donna on the Yavapai College Governing Board for several years. This experience allowed me to witness firsthand Donna’s passion for education and her ability to collaborate effectively with fellow board members and the community. Her contributions to the board were invaluable, and she brought the same level of dedication and expertise to her first term as District 3 Supervisor.
Her focus on economic development, job creation, fiscal responsibility, regenerative agriculture, local food security, and local control for important decisions, is exactly what our district needs to continue to thrive and grow. In addition to her professional accomplishments, I have been impressed by her integrity and willingness to listen to the concerns of constituents. Donna has consistently demonstrated a genuine interest in understanding the needs of our community and working collaboratively to find solutions.
I am confident she will continue to serve our community with dedication and distinction, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact she will have by maturing the many important initiatives she started during her first term.
For these, and many reasons too numerous to list here, I wholeheartedly endorse Donna Michaels for a second term as the Yavapai County District 3 Supervisor.
Sincerely,
Herald Harrington
Dear Supervisor Michaels,
It’s exciting to see that you are running for re-election for District 3 Supervisor in Yavapai County.
We appreciate your leadership in the Village of Oak Creek and county-wide with initiatives that address matters of great concern and need for the greater Verde Valley.
- Fighting the cause improving quality and access to basic healthcare services for Verde Valley citizens. Your efforts to hear the citizen’s plea and your courageous leadership pressing for urgently needed improvements has had an impact on the region. We need you in office to keep the heat on for more positive change.
- Community engagement and planning. Yavapai County came through with recognizing community plans for unincorporated areas like the Village and Cornville. This is the only tool our smaller communities have for defending our unique sense of place, which matters greatly to our quality of life. Your commitment and strong voice provided the necessary traction.
- Big thinking for languishing problems. Two schools in the Village of Oak Creek have been crying for revitalization. You proactively engaged with a wide variety of agencies and constituencies to conceive ways to energize these schools with new life that would serve the interests of the Village and surrounding communities.
- Water solutions – you’ve been willing to open a critical dialog with Yavapai County stakeholders on action for future water sufficiency. For too long this issue has been talked to death, with no action that addresses the need for responsible and equitable water policy.
During my terms of leadership with the Big Park Council (2020-2022), we were able to depend on your open-door policy and willingness to investigate matters impacting our community. Whether it was unsightly utility poles, safety issues or public health concerns, access to your office and county resources served our community well.
Best of luck with your campaign – we are with you!
Camille and Philip Cox
Village of Oak Creek
I support Dr. Donna Michaels for Supervisor because she has proven over the past four years that she is working nonstop to bring jobs and money into the Verde Valley while preserving our open spaces and our values. Donna is a keeper and we are so fortunate to have her as our Supervisor.
Check out her record on her website. Among many other accomplishments, she’s brought a $7 million meat processing plant to Camp Verde which will provide jobs and income to the local economy. This processing plant is only one of 5 in the United States. A resident of this beautiful rural area for 34 years, I am so impressed with Donna’s hard work, her brilliant ideas and her willingness to bring everyone to the table and hear them out. That’s what we need more than ever right now.
We’re at a crossroads. We need Donna’s continued leadership that will look out for the Verde Valley. Don’t we want to prosper and attract responsible businesses? Don’t we need our young people, who will be creating the Valley’s future, to have excellent educational opportunities? And don’t we want our leaders to be good stewards and preserve the beauty and character of our Valley? Donna is doing all of this. Donna has the business expertise we need. She has extensive experience in the field of education. And she has worked consistently and effectively to preserve our rural wonders. A vote for Donna Michaels is a vote for our community.
Re-elect Donna Michaels for Supervisor.
We have known and worked with Dr. Donna Michaels for almost 20 years as a fellow board member, college trustee, and a tireless community advocate and leader.
She is a trusted friend and colleague on whom we can always depend. Donna’s dedication, perseverance and principle-driven activities and projects in the Verde Valley region have been impressive and a joy to witness.
During the last three plus years as a Yavapai County Supervisor, she has doggedly and effectively taken action on several important regional and local issues, including the diminished quality and availability of health care, the damage being done by unregulated off-highway vehicles and the continuing specter of water shortages.
Because we Iive in District 2, we cannot vote for Donna for District 3 Supervisor in the 2024 election. However, she has our unqualified support and we are, without hesitation, encouraging our friends and colleagues who live in District 3 to vote for her.
We have no doubt she will listen to their and others’ concerns and represent the interests of all district residents extremely well as she works on behalf of her constituents to protect, preserve and promote the Verde Valley region.
Drs. Jane & Marshall Whitmire
Camp Verde
I am writing this letter In support of your offices efforts to revitalize the Big Park Middle School campus via the Heart of the Village Project.
The Heart of the Village project (HOV)encompasses ideas that support the preservation, promotion and protection of the campus for our small rural community. As a community member and business executive, it’s important to support ideas that are in line with keeping our rural community growing in a direction that supports the overall needs in which to work, collaborate and promote community engagement.
I personally recognize the importance of establishing a precedent of revitalizing and rehabilitating vacant real estate for community enjoyment. To have this campus as a community center for the residents of the Village of Oak Creek and the surrounding communities speaks to the pressing needs of the community.
The Heart of the Village project will bring much needed county and health services to the VOC. I.e. The Sheriff’s Office will provide a sense of safety to the village and having a Telehealth facility that locals can have access to medical care is of the utmost importance.
The Big park Middle school was a beautiful community pillar in the past and for it to be refurbished and reused is important not only for the community but the environment.
As the executive director of the Arts Academy of Sedona, I know we sit in alignment with businesses that complement our community and are pushing efforts for utilizing smart technologies and sustainability to help our community grow in an upward direction. Thank you for your efforts in this matter.
Camilla Ross
Sedona
I met Donna at the start of her campaign for County Supervisor District 3. Working with her and watching how much she cared about the community and how she would help positive evolution was amazing!
A county supervisor’s role is to see and act on the strategic and high-risk opportunities for the district they represent and the entire county. There are lower levels of government to handle more transactional issues of a day-to-day nature although her open office policy has helped many citizens!
Donna has a significant record of accomplishing many important activities for Yavapai County and District 3! Her efforts to bring a committee of doctors, citizens, and legislators to the table to factually address Northern Arizona Healthcare performance led to the deferment and potentially cancellation of the Flagstaff campus. The funding of a local meat processing plant to support the continuing development of a farm to table industry is very much needed as demonstrated during the Covid Pandemic and our rancher could not get cattle processed. Her development of a collaborative relationship with the Yavapai Nation will generate Verde Valley benefits for many years to come! Please take a trip to Donna’s website for her magnificent accomplishments!
Donna deserves another term as County Supervisor of District 3 to assure completion of critical activities and the further identification of areas to serve Yavapai County and District 3! I am looking forward to casting my vote for Donna Michaels!!
Tom Coultas
Verde Santa Fe
