In a 2010 Verde Independent news article Sheriff Steve Waugh was expressing his dilemma regarding what to do if Proposition 100 failed and how would fund his prison population. Jan Brewer is also counting on Proposition 100 for funds. Is what’s good for the goose, good for the gander?
In Folksville USA, we have a anti-litter movement to “restore the beauty to America the Beautiful”. We don’t endorse politicians but we do thank them if they acknowledge our efforts and suggestions. We help solve problems using common sense ideas. Common sense is a difficult commodity to find these days and possibly more valuable than gold. So here’s an idea for both of you:
Sheriff Waugh, how about putting your prison population to work cleaning Scenic Highway 89A from Jerome to Sedona plus Highway 260 from Camp Verde to Cottonwood. They could work with the Permittee’s of the ADOT Adopt-A-Highway program. Your staff and these prisoners may have to work weekends, like everyone else, to survive this economy, welcome to our world. Just think of the positive Public Relations created from the community seeing those serving time doing something good for the community and themselves. There are people 70 plus year olds currently cleaning both of the highways mentioned. Are you and your detainees up for the challenge or do you have a better suggestion?
Governor Brewer could consider encouraging all ADOT Adopt-A-Highway Permittee’s doing their highway clean-up activities the third weekend of February, May, August and November as we are doing between Cottonwood and Sedona. If this were done then our overworked ADOT Highway Maintenance Department wouldn’t be spending unnecessary time, energy, fuel, vehicle wear and tear, etc. making random trips to pick up 5 bags here, 7 bags there, etc.
Now let’s discuss why we need to have any Adopt-A-Highway program use the colored bags with logos when less expensive bags are available. Oh by the way, in Folksville, USA we’ve been recycling the litter collected and the ADOT bags in Folksville, USA in 2009 and 2010. We even recycle the litter bags that have been provided by Home Depot because ADOT Adopt-A-Highway has been out of bags for most of 2009 and 2010 due to financial issues.
So, what are the new federally mandated vests with nighttime reflective properties costing the taxpayers for the ADOT Adopt-A-Highway program in Arizona? These litter groups only work during the daytime? What happens to the orange vests which worked just fine for so many years? Does anyone realize that litter groups only work during the day time? Are reflective vests needed?
Heck, what do we in Folksville, USA know about efficiencies budgeting etc.? As for myself, I’m just a former farm kid who was taught to have pride in country, to be responsible, not to spend more than I make, plus save for a rainy day.
If you wish to work with “Folksville, USA” on solutions, please contact us. Darn, maybe Governor Brewer and Sherriff Waugh might offer their direct phone numbers to solicit suggestions from the public sector on how to save money and not increase taxes for any reason. Maybe all government agencies should reduce their budgets and staff to match the percentage of unemployment in the private sector?
Google “Folksville USA” to see what we’re up to, or read our stories posted on this web site (go to the Search box and enter keywords: Folksville USA). We only want to beautify America.
Gary Chamberlain
PO Box 1138
Cornville, AZ 86325 resident
Editor Folksville USA News
Mayor Folksville USA
KYCA Radio / ADOT Adopt-A-Highway / Folksville USA
http://www.kyca.info/kyca.php?page=audioArchive&showArchive=pm
Go to the top of the archive at the above URL (address)-also attached is the MP3.
The attached link provides access to KYCA PM 1490 Prescott, AZ. The subject matter is the Folksville USA effort to restore the beauty to America the Beautiful by getting invoved in the ADOT Adopt-A-Highway Program which in the state of Arizona is broken in terms of being effective and user friendly.
Those who are part of this movement have come together to set the standard for others to follow. We wish to share our recipe for success with all who would listen and will provide the documents to make it happen in your state.
Gary Chamberlain
1/1 CAV B Troop
Blackhawk
Vietnam 1967
Mayor Folksville USA
Editor Folksville News
The BLACKHAWKS, U.S. Army’s First Cavalry Regiment was established in 1833 and still serves as the most decorated and battle hardened Cavalry Squadron and battalion size unit in the U.S. Army. Through the years, the Blackhawks have earned 92 Streamers and 37 Medal of Honor recipients have served within its ranks.
Today, the First Squadron, First Cavalry Regiment (1/1 CAV) has the duty of upholding the prestige and honor as the very first Cavalry unit in the U.S. Army. The BLACKHAWKS of yesterday and today continue to serve their regiment with pride and distinction, but not just in the traditional role of a Soldier.
I am Command Sergeant Major (CSM) David V. McGuire, and as the current Command Sergeant Major (CSM) of 1/1 CAV, I would like to take the opportunity to share what the Blackhawks, of past and present, are currently doing to support our communities across the nation.
A former 1/1 CAV CSM and current CSM of Fort Bliss, Texas, CSM David S. Davenport, has been a major player in our community support efforts. He was recently invited by the Blackhawk Association and the 1/1 CAV members of Vietnam to speak at their reunion in Chicago. It was a great opportunity for the Cavalrymen of today to meet the Cavalrymen who have paved the way for our many successes.
During the visit we had the pleasure of meeting two Vietnam-era Blackhawks, Gary Chamberlain from Cornville, AZ and John Murphy from Yonkers, NY. They have a common mission and continue to serve their country, fellow Soldiers, Families and their communities by focusing on restoring the beauty to America the beautiful by cleaning up our nation’s highways.
They invited the current Blackhawks to join in this noble cause with the intensions of making it a national effort. It was a very easy decision, CSM Davenport and I said, “Count us in!” 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment wishes to be the first of many military organizations, composed of active duty and retired members who make this simple mission a priority throughout the United States to restore this nation’s natural beauty.
Chamberlain’s grassroots Road Warrior effort was reported in the Folksville USA News. Many local veterans in the Cornville, AZ and the surrounding area have also assumed leadership roles in making the Folksville effort a success partially due to a military approach to solving the litter problem plaguing our roadways. Their desire is to stop the disgraceful scaring of not only the Scenic Highway 89A between Cottonwood and Sedona, AZ, but throughout America. John Murphy’s involvement will greatly enhance this effort and is applauded by the Blackhawks.
To use Mr. Murphy’s owns words, “I pitched in with Gary when he asked me for help in going to the news agencies. I saw it as an opportunity to help my community and serve my country again; in the spirit of giving back to the country I love and raised my family. I also approached my daughter Jeannemarie who is a Girl Scout Leader here in Pleasantville, NY to get her troop involved in community service, to help educate the young; give them a sense of pride in their country by helping to restore the beauty to America. This also gets family members doing a joint project together, sharing our time and care for each other. I see this as an opportunity to build and educate and bond with your family and friends. This is where my heart is at… Regards John Murphy.”
CSM Davenport and I couldn’t have said it better! We agree 100% with Gary and John and have a few reasons that hit a little closer to home — home being Fort Bliss, Texas.
First, it’s absolutely the right thing to do! Second, it ties the Soldier into the local community in a positive manner. All too often we only hear about the bad things a few of our Soldiers may do; but not often enough, do we hear about the good things Soldiers do for their community.
Since being offered and accepting the invitation to participate in the Chamberlain and Murphy effort, the Blackhawks has adopted a two-mile section of highway in northwest El Paso. We will sort and recycle all of the litter we recover and donate the proceeds from the metal recyclable items to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Our first clean-up toward this effort is scheduled for February 19th and 20th.
CSM Davenport and I would like to invite all branches of the military to join us in our efforts to restore the natural beauty to America the Beautiful.
Let us all honor our veterans of yesterday and today; and of course to our Blackhawks of yesterday and today. BLACKHAWKS!
CSM David Davenport
CSM David McGuire
Looking forward to reading your material
Nancy Boyd
Admin. Assistant to
Senator Paula A. Aboud