Les Mickle vs Tao Fellowship? This is in response to Mr. Les Mickle’s editorial in the Cottonwood Verde Independent on April 14, 2011. Mr. Mickle states some concern that the Tao Fellowship and their “Settlement” may damage the National Forest and Wilderness. He may be correct but look around at the other developments, in the same area, that have been built and ask yourself what’s the difference especially when you consider the limited water resources we have? Or is it that Mr. Mickle just doesn’t like Tao Fellowship?
I don’t share the beliefs as Tao Fellowship but my contact with Tao Fellowship has been nothing but positive, and who am I to judge them? Do I want them judging me? Is it our job as people to judge each other?
Tao has been very active in helping our “Folksville USA” TRASH recovery efforts by picking up litter from Scenic Highway 89A and Highway 260. Tao has recovered TRASH from Bill Gray Road on their own initiative. Tao Fellowship has helped us cleaned up a few Adopt-A-Highway
sections where the people who have their names on the signs (Permittee’s) aren’t cleaning their (obligated) one mile section.
Mr. Mickle, how do the absentee “Permittee’s” show their respect for the land by allowing this trash to remain on the highway and roadside that we all look at daily? Mr. Mickle, what advice do you have on this topic?
On February 19, 2011 Tao Fellowship was part of the most ethnically and religiously mixed group that came together to pick up TRASH. We all worked TOGETHER in the rain and snow to make our Scenic Highway 89A a little more appealing for all residents.
In 25 months, 15 ADOT Adopt-A-Highway groups have recovered 1250 bags of trash between Cottonwood and Sedona. Where’s the public outrage about this TRASH and the impact on the environment? Mr. Mickle, where are you on this topic?
I’ve tried to understand why our Verde Valley community makes such a fuss about Tao Fellowship and then the same community allows the TRASHING of the Verde Valley, our highways and America right under our own noses. Why has the Verde community not said anything about this TRASH issue, or do they care?
Please explain this to me, anyone! What don’t I get? Where’s the outrage? Is this how we show our veterans and soldiers how we appreciate their efforts? It’s time to “wake up our pride in community.”
Let’s see some editorials on the TRASHING of the Verde Valley and America and how we as a community will solve and work on this problem together!
We need “Boots on the ground.” What do you think might happen if WE ALL WORKED together to restore the beauty to “America the Beautiful” to honor our military, veterans and communities and let God be the judge and jury on other matters?
Gary Chamberlain, FolksvilleUSA Mayor
Cornville Arizona resident
folksvilleusa.com
“America the Beautiful” and a community working together,
For those curious, please take a hour and go walk along the shoulder of Scenic Highway 89A between Cottonwood and Sedona, Arizona. With the 2011 cleaning and mowing of the highways shoulders and median strip I will tell you the highway has NEVER been cleaner.
We have a ways to go and perseverance is required to advance this effort but you may now enjoy a mostly clean highway complete with the viewing of unobstructed wild flowers. Some of our approaches to bring our message to the public, though a bit unorthodox, have been effective in educating the public to the quantity of trash, type of trash and who’s littering our highways.
Most of the 15 ADOT Adopt-A-Highway Permittee’s between Cottonwood and Sedona are responsible for this drastic change. Reese & Sons Tire, Tire Pro Automotive, Rusty’s Morningstar Ranch, Cottonwood Home Depot, Windmill Garden, Sedona Recycling and the Flagstaff Highway Maintenance Department have been key players in completing a process which includes recycling of all of the bags of litter. The recycling process has resulted in only 20% of the contents going to the landfill and the litter bags are being used up to three times.
This is an example of what a community working together can do, we should all be very proud of this effort. Will you bring your “Boots to the ground” and help us at our May 21, 2011 event? We are restoring the beauty to America the Beautiful to honor our soldiers, veterans and communities. This effort could be replicated in any community, please contact us at any time.
Gary Chamberlain
“Point Man” Folksville USA
FolksvilleUSA@gmail.com