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XXII
Class Notes - Regional Issue Day
by
Sally Jackson and Bob Pearsall
October 21 was another
beautiful fall day. PAL Class XXII met in the
training room at the City of Prescott Police
Department.
The morning began
with a few reports from shadowing and individual
field trips,
including a working visit to Heritage Park
Zoological Sanctuary and a pleasure trip to
the Highland Center for Natural History.
The brief reports were
followed by a skill building session lead by Aalt
Brouwer. The focus was on critical thinking and
really it got our minds to open up about the
definition of and working relationship between
ethical beliefs, moral codes, integrity, and
social responsibility, among other
concepts. When it comes to
ethics, leadership, & making good decisions,
Aalt challenged the class "What is the right thing
to do?"
Next on the agenda was a
job panel with representatives from Northern
Arizona SCORE and NACOG who provided insight on
what resources are available for unemployed and
underemployed, as well as "incubator" programs and
other support for those wanting to venture out on
their own and start their own business - with or
without a business in mind!
Dr. Terry Lovell of Yavapai
College gave a resounding overview of alternative
energy: the truths, myths and the grey area in
between. His comments spurred additional
discussions that carried over to Saturday, the
first official group field trip of the
year.
An excellent lunch was
provided by Barry Barbe and his Monk's staff.
Yummy!
Transportation was the name
of the game after lunch. An overview of regional
transportation history and goals was provided by
Chris Bridges of CYMPO. Ron Romley of Chino Valley
Transit also gave an overview of a local
transportations success story.
Representatives from two
local Chambers and one town economic development
manager addressed the current state of affairs in
the area. The challenges, disappointments, key
components, and hopes were covered in an overview
format.
Water. Water. Water: the
true gold of the "old" and "new" west. A water
panel with representatives from the City of
Prescott, Town of Prescott Valley, Yavapai County
and Citizens Water Advocacy Group gave insight on
the current challenges, possible solutions, and
ever-changing plans. The one thing they all had in
common, and agreed upon, was that water is the
lifeblood of our community today and the biggest
challenge of our growth tomorrow. The divisiveness
wrought by water issues was evident even on the
panel of water
experts. | 
Tom Pettit, a
graduate of PAL Class XVII passed away
last September after a battle with
illness. Tom was instrumental in so many
community improvements involving Open
Space, including the trailblazing along
Granite Creek. The PAL Board voted to
commemorate Tom with a plaque for the
trailhead. All members of PAL are welcome to
attend the presentation of the plaque to Johanna
Hawley which will take place on 
