By Paul Frommelt
We have all heard the saying, “Do as I say, not as I do.” Perhaps it should instead, say “Watch what they do, not what they say!” Take the numerous comments stated by Kenny Evans, the MHA, RCEA, RCEF, and others over the past decade, especially when they stated what they “were going to do.” The following excerpts are but a very few of the hundreds of statements and promises in articles from one single news source about a now failed project. There are too many broken promises over the years from the above mentioned names and acronyms to count. But the common thread remains, “watch what they do, not what they say!”
It all started over a decade ago and it reads like a fairy tale. Once upon a time……….
According to ‘sources close to the negotiations’…”The current schedule envisions a construction start of sometime in 2011 and classes starting in 2012, according to sources close to the negotiations.”[1]
“Evans said, “We are moving forward and we are still on schedule,” to open a campus in 2013 or 2014 —” [2]
“Plans for a university in Payson have made big strides in the past week, according to Payson Mayor Kenny Evans.” … “Hailing his “best week in 18 months” Evans said he’s still hoping to have the campus open by the fall of 2013.“[3]
Again, from Kenny Evans, ” …said Payson Mayor Kenny Evans. “President Crow has shown us once again what a visionary leader he is. An aggressive timetable remains in place and I’m optimistic that with this new focus, we’ll achieve the goal of bringing students on site concurrent with the completion of the CC Cragin water project” in 2014-15.” [4]
Again, quoted from ‘sources, close to the negotiations’. Who were these sources?? “Arizona State University has reportedly agreed to go forward to build a 6,000-student campus in Payson with the completion of the EA and a firm Forest Service decision to proceed with a direct sale of the land to the SLE, according to sources close to the negotiations” [5]. “Reportedly agreed?” Were these actual formal negotiations, or informal discussion only? See (8) below
And more from Kenny Evans, ” Meanwhile, Payson Mayor Kenny Evans, speaking before the Democratic Club of Northern Gila County, predicted construction on the site will start early next year and the first 600 students will enroll in 2015.” [6]
And Payson residents aren’t the only ones who feel misled by Kenny Evans, and the RCEA. “..The bombshell came when Alliance chairman Steve Drury resigned his position with a blast clearly aimed at Payson Mayor Kenny Evans.Drury said that in his 50 years of active business development he has never undertaken a more “worthwhile endeavor.”However, he added “in those same 50 years I have never been lied to, witnessed such duplicity, seen such misrepresentation, been subject to such innuendo, or been stabbed in the back like I have in this position. Recently, I have come to the irrevocable conclusion that I can no longer work with people who I cannot trust. It is with a profound sense of relief that I announce my resignation as chairman of the Rim Country Educational Alliance, effectively immediately.” And in the same article from the Roundup, a quote from Mary Kastner, who replaced Steve Drury as chairman of the RCEA at that time, …”Kastner said she’s still confident the Alliance can get the campus open by the fall of 2017.” [7]
And then in 2015, the cracks began to show, as the real truth began to make it’s way out of the shadows. ” Arizona State University remains non-committal on whether it will sign on as the “educational partner” for the project. In letters written in response to critics of the project, university officials have said they’ve had “talks,” but not “negotiations.” [8] And so much for the ball fields! “They said the plan is to keep some of the trees to retain the woodsy feel on the campus, which will include two- and three-story buildings that should sit below the tree lines.”
And then there was this one, from Gary Cordell who appeared to be speaking on behalf of ASU…“Arizona State University has agreed to open a branch in Payson, with a planned first-year enrollment of 300 to 350, Rim Country Educational Foundation President Gary Cordell said during a presentation at the Payson Tea Party this week.” “This was 4 years ago. So where is it? Oh, and here comes the REAL motivation for all of this hype!…”The west side of the property has room for future commercial development.” [9]
Finally, by 2017, the reality began to set in, Even for the cheerleaders of the failed project. “Evans said ASU now envisions a 300-student campus initially…The original plan called for a campus that would start with 1,000 students and perhaps grow to 6,000 students.” [10]
There is so much more written about this over the past decade. Our community has been led down the rabbit hole.
“down the rabbit hole: To enter into a situation or begin aprocess or journey that is particularly strange, problematic, difficult, complex, or chaotic, especially one that becomes increasingly so as it develops or unfolds.” (An allusion to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.) idioms.thefreedictionary.com › go+down+the+rabbit+hole
One final point of contention is with the whole process regarding of the town’s “representation,” on the SLE board. The town is required to choose from “recommended” appointees, given to us from THEIR handpicked selections. We are required to “take it or leave it.” Regardless of who the town accepts, the end result is still someone whom the SLE has pre approved. The representatives appear to be picked to represent the interests of the SLE against the town, rather than the town being able to choose people WE want to represent OUR interests in the SLE. Where is the equity in that? “The councils receive recommendations for RCEA board candidates.”…“The SLE maintains that the council can only appoint members from an approved list…” [11]
