See Photos Below

Note: The Civil Air Patrol Cadets train in leadership principles, physical fitness, moral leadership, and other military concepts. They assist Senior Staffs in executing the Cadet program and participate in Emergency Services missions.

Speech to the Civil Air Patrol Cadets on May 5, 2007, Cottonwood, Ariz.

First of all, I’d like to thank my good friend Paul Green, and 1Lt. Chuck Spiteri for inviting me to address the Civil Air Patrol’s Cottonwood Cadets Squadron 212 this evening. Congratulations on winning the Arizona Wing Drill Team competition, and the national competition, and winning the regional again this year, and going to national again! Great work! 

I want to tell you how much I appreciate your many community service projects, like helping with parking for the Cottonwood Christmas Parade and the City’s big Fourth of July event. Thanks for assisting the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion with the color guard. You’ve made a difference at the airport by volunteering to paint and provide other valuable services. Thank you! 

Volunteering your time makes Cottonwood a better place to live for all our residents! Have you ever noticed that when you volunteer and help others, it seems like you receive much more than you give? That seems to be a natural law of the universe!

I will officially be sworn in as Cottonwood’s Mayor on May 31st. I will conduct my first council meeting June 5. 

What does a Mayor do? You might be surprised to learn about a Mayor's responsibilities. Besides getting to attend great events like this one (ceremonial duties) municipal code says: The powers and duties of the mayor shall include the following: A. The Mayor shall be the chief executive officer of the City... F. The Mayor shall take command of the police force of the City and govern by proclamation in the event of the threat of or occurrence of acts of natural disaster, riot, rout or affray sufficient to constitute great danger to the City and its residents.
1. In such areas of the City as shall be designated by the mayor by proclamation under the conditions set forth in this section, and within the area within all or any part of the City so designated by the mayor, a curfew shall be in effect the hours of each day designated in the proclamation, and all persons living or residing within any such designated area shall go immediately to their homes, and remain there until the curfew is lifted by order of the mayor, and all other persons not residing within the designated area shall immediately leave.
2. During the imposition of any curfew as set forth in this section all business establishments in the designated curfew area, having on their premises intoxicating beverages, shall be closed during the state of emergency and until the curfew is lifted.
B. The Mayor shall be the chairman of the council and preside over its meetings. She may make and second motions and shall have a voice and vote in all its proceedings.
C. She shall enforce the provisions of the municipal code.
D. She shall execute and authenticate by her  signature such instruments as the council, or any statutes, ordinances or this code shall require.
E. She shall make such recommendations and suggestions to the council as he may consider proper.
G. She shall perform such other duties required by state statute and this code as well as those duties required as chief executive officer of the City. (Prior code § 2-2-3) See all the Municipal Code about the mayor's duties on the City's Web site (leaving this Web site).

A mayor and council set policy. For instance, it was our decision to create the Cottonwood Airport Commission. We just finished the second and final reading last Tuesday. The City Manager’s job is to administer the the day-to-day management of the City, the City staff, and its departments. 

Community Leadership is also something for which I am responsible, as are CAP Cadets. We lead by example. By that I mean we are doers, we get out in the community and work. Success is doing more than you need to--before you are asked to --not because you have to --but because you want to. 

As leaders, we must be bold and fearless, with confidence that what we have to say or do is true, right and just. As leaders, we must have compassion, investing whatever is necessary to heal the hurts of others. As leaders we show creativity by approaching a need, a task, or an idea from a whole new perspective. We are determined, accomplishing the right goals at the right time, regardless of the opposition. As leaders, we are charged with forgiving and not holding grudges when someone has angered or hurt us, or when someone does not agree with us. As leaders, we are enthusiastic and grateful, letting others know by our words and actions how they have benefited our lives and our community.

The best decisions on a City council come from a diverse group of people with very different ways of thinking about the issues.  

As you go through your lives you should not forget what you’ve learned. You are the future and you are then responsible for the next generation. It is your job as leaders to teach the next generation to be nicer to each other and more tolerant of differences.  

Believe in the power of dreams – believe that you can create solutions to your challenges. 

I urge you to remember, in your work and your citizenship, not only the education you received as part of the CAP Cadets, but the lessons taught by Abraham Lincoln 150 years ago: use evidence, reason, and respectful argument to search for a more perfect City of Cottonwood, Verde Valley, and State of Arizona. Do so with an ever inquiring mind and an open heart, in Mr. Lincoln’s immortal words, “with malice toward none.” 

I’m old enough now to know that life is precious and fleeting. So waste not a moment. Live your dreams. But find some way to help empower other people to live theirs too. And never forget our obligation to preserve that very same chance for other generations down through the ages. I wish you well. Spread your wings and fly! 

Photos of CAP Cadet AWARDS May 5, 2007. Great job, Cadets!

(Click on image for larger size photo) Photos courtesy of CAP Cadets.