But let me tell you that the only reason I got into office in 2020 was the crossover vote. Republicans voted for me in the general because they saw, having worked with me in one way or another in nonpartisan ways that I’m about delivering and working to bring up the health index of our communities.

So, in the general election, they can vote for you and maintain their Republican ballot. 

I can see it. Your spirit of service is profound. Do you have any other aspirations for future offices?

Donna Michaels: Political offices? That’s a very interesting question.

My commitment right now is to ensure that there’s a controlled and directed local voice that serves rural communities. I can do this very well sitting in the county supervisor’s office. Whatever happens globally and nationally, I think we all need to recognize that it’s us, together, in communities that are going to underpin the strength and safety of our country.  If you can unite people around local issues which affect their daily lives, the polarities drop away.

“The regenerative philosophy is the lynchpin

of future progress and community health.”- Donna Michaels

The Smithsonian Magazine had a very interesting article on the expanding nihilism among people today. 

Donna Michaels: There is a malaise and a nihilism growing in America. And yes, we are not all well enough informed in civil and civic ways to understand the risk that we’re taking by assuming we have the luxury of being a nihilist. You know, that’s for a conversation over wine when you’re not hungry; when you have housing; when your health is in order and when your community is safe. We’re nowhere near those standards in the communities.

 It feels like we are on a precipice. We don’t know what is going to happen. So, security has to come through our community leadership.

Donna Michaels: We’re able to find some sense of security at least in our local communities – places where we can get involved.  I know that the power of a dedicated spirit of service is going to prevail!

 

Perhaps the jewel in the crown in Donna’s latest achievements and initiatives in 

Regenerative practices.

What’s next?

Donna Michaels:  We’re getting ready to embark on a major relationship with stakeholders across a broad spectrum of businesses: ranchers, farmers, agave growers, the Manzanita Food Bank (who wants to provide compost to quickly heal the soil), and the vintners like Maynard and Alcantara who could turn all that seed waste into energy. The 50 acres DK ranch has been provided by the University of Arizona to be our headquarters for The Center of Excellence-Regenerative Agriculture Practices!

“We’re going to keep helping one another in the places where we need help and not in the ways that somebody else thinks we need the help.” -Donna Michaels

 

Sidebar news from Kristen Regina

Social Media Postings excerpted from Sedona’s Open Bulletin Board

SEDONA LIBRARY is NOT PUBLIC

Why the DORR Hit Piece Story About Donna Michaels Defunding the Sedona Library is a Far-Reaching Lie: The Usual Suspects want Donna Michaels gone.

Under Arizona law, specifically Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) § 11-251, a library funded by county taxes must be owned by a city or county. This statute outlines the legal framework for the establishment and operation of public libraries in Arizona.

According to A.R.S. § 11-251, when a county establishes a library system and funds it by using county tax revenues, the library must be owned by either the county or a city within that county. This requirement ensures that public libraries funded by county taxes are under the ownership and control of a governmental entity responsible for providing library services to residents.

The Sedona Library is a private library; it illegally receives 1.6 million dollars per year; it triple-dips from Yavapai County, Coconino County, and the City of Sedona. Under Arizona law, the Sedona Library is entitled to nothing. Fifteen public libraries in Yavapai County must share a little under 1.6 million dollars between all 15 of them! Yet DORR, a political action committee run by the usual suspects, published their lying little hit piece in the Sedona Red Rock News last week.

DORR is not the Democratic Party and lies to serve its agenda. I always believed DORR was the Democratic party, and now I know it is just a PAC. This PAC does not subscribe to democratic principles because it lies.

 

Excerpted” froth Sedona Open Bulletin Board: Kristen Regina

Enquiring Minds want to know, Donna Michaels’ Position on The City of Sedona Taking Ownership of Sedona Airport. 

As your dedicated County Supervisor,

Donna Michaels maintains a strong stance against the proposed transfer of ownership of the Sedona Airport to the City of Sedona because the City of Sedona currently does not meet federal requirements to effectively oversee airport operations.

Despite external pressures from the City and lobbying attempts, Donna Michaels stands firm in her commitment to adhere to federal regulations, including FAA guidelines, and refrain from endorsing the ownership transfer.

The City is displeased with their inability to get Donna to perform a good “old boy” deal and agree to the transfer despite the city being unqualified. This displeasure is evident in the relentless lies and attacks spread around town and published in the Red Rock News.

As a citizen of Sedona, I am appalled by the conduct of DORR who has put their own special interests above the needs of the Verde Valley. A loss of Donna Michaels would be a loss for us all. Special interests should not play a part in politics, yet Sedona is no better than any other place.

Donna Michaels places the well-being and concerns of her constituents at the forefront of her decision-making. Her dedication to upholding legal standards and promoting transparent governance highlights her steadfast dedication to serving the public interest. In her capacity, Donna Michaels underscores the importance of accountability and impartiality, avoiding any hint of favoritism or clandestine agreements. The more I have gotten to know Donna Michaels the more I am impressed with knowledge, accomplishments, and dedication. I have also learned the noise being generated against her is absolute rubbish and facts have been twisted to create malicious gossip. This gossip has a purpose and that is to allow a select group of controllers to steer the future of the Verde Valley and Sedona.

Effective county leadership necessitates professionalism and a dedication to public service, values that Donna Michaels embodies with integrity and conscientiousness.

Donna has worked tirelessly serving the Verde Valley and will continue to do so!” Kristen Regina

Supervisor Donna G. Michaels, PhD

Donna G. Michaels, Ph.D. is a community engaged leader who has served in government, education, community and cultural initiatives, private industry, development and non-profits nationally and internationally. She is a published author on social policy, public administration and capital funds development. She has expertise in public policy, land use planning and government regulation.

Dr. Michaels has lived in the Verde Valley almost three decades and cherishes the rural, small town character and iconic views that are unique to this area. Her commitment to Yavapai County residents is based in three promises:

• Protect our rural, small town, communities’ character and/or Community Plans and Vision statements and
• Preserve our rural lifestyle wherever possible and practicable, our land use and critically diminishing water resources.
• Promote business that support our communities’ plans and vision, robust, smart technologies and sustainable economies.

She is known for building teams of diverse constituents to develop and implement organizational goals. Dr. Michaels is a hands-on leader in execution or development plans through partnering with internal/external resources and recruitment and mentoring high performance teams.

She is accomplished in the areas of building stakeholder relationships, collaboration with diverse populations, board development, fundraising and program development, implementation, management and marketing.

Dr. Michaels is an accomplished public speaker, moderator, and published author. She has expertise in the fields of education, public policy, land use planning and government regulation. Her passion for horses has led to involvement, support and pro bono consultation for a number of equine organizations and ventures.

Affiliations

• Yavapai College Trustee, Board Spokesperson and Secretary
• Marilyn Sunderman Foundation, Founder, President
• Arizona Rural Health Association, Board Member, State Conference Organizer and M.C.
• National Rural Education Association, Board Member and State Conference Presenter
• National Association of Hearing Officials (NAHO), Member
• Arizona Department of Education, Arizona Risk Retention (The TRUST), Hearing Officer
• Justice Sandra Day O’Connor Speak Out Arizona Sedona/Verde Valley Advisory Board
• Verde Valley Land Preservation Institute, Board member and Chair 2019 Town Hall Forum
• Veterans Equine Therapeutic Alliance, Founder and Board Member
• Arizona Rangers, Verde Valley Company

Education

• Ph.D. Barry University, Miami, Florida
• B.S. and M.S.W., Summa Cum Laude, University of Nebraska, Omaha
• B.S., University of Southwestern Louisiana, Lafayette