Valley of Lights Captivates Visitors

Valley of Lights

CAPTIVATES VISITORS

by Marnie Uhl, President/CEO, Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce

What began 23 years ago as a small community Christmas-light display has grown into one of the state’s most brilliant holiday attractions.

Prescott Valley’s Valley of Lights has delighted residents and visitors alike with lighted and animated displays created with thousands of colored lights.

In 2001, then-Chamber Executive Director Lew Rees envisioned a beautiful lighting display similar to what he previously had in his community of Branson, Missouri.

Working with a lighting company from that area, he planned and designed the first eight original displays.

Retired Executive Assistant Beverly Oleson remembered that in those early days staff and volunteers helped with the set up — dragging electrical cords, moving and anchoring displays and manning the donation booth. Today, the Valley of Lights has 63 displays, with most consisting of multiple sections, animation and millions of lights. It is under the masterful supervision, setup, maintenance and storage by Advanced Electrical Contracting and Jeff Schaffer.

Schaffer begins work on the Valley of Lights in early September to have it ready by Thanksgiving. During the display, he is continually checking on the cords and electrical, as errant wildlife often make their way through, creating unintentional mischief.

Five years ago, the Stroll through Valley of Lights began. For one night only, the park is closed to vehicles and people walk through the beautiful displays. They may meet carolers, a singing Christmas hippo, Buddy the Elf and Santa Claus.

This is a very popular night where people are able to view and photograph the lighted and animated displays up close and personal.

The Valley of Lights displays represent a variety of interests and celebrations from the Nativity and spiritual, to patriotism and fantasy, to awareness and remembrance. Each is made possible through sponsorships by organizations and businesses.

The Valley of Lights is one of the most visited holiday destinations with an average car count of 625 nightly. There is no admission, but a donation of $5 per car is suggested and gratefully accepted at the end of the display area.

MORE INFORMATION

• Valley of Lights is open 6 to 10 p.m., through Dec. 30. • Location is 2205 5th St. (Look for the toy soldier pointing the way on

Highway 69.)

Proposition 443 Sunsets Five Years Early

by Barry Barbe, Owner, El Gato Azul and Torme Restaurants

In spring 2017, a group of concerned community members came together to address the City of Prescott’s ballooning PSPRS debt and the future of Prescott.

The Public Safety Personnel Retirement Program, or PSPRS, is a state retirement program for safety employees and had reached a liability of over $75 million.

There were those who felt it acceptable to deny this responsibility and allow the city to file bankruptcy.

“Doing nothing about the millions of dollars in unfunded liability the City of Prescott faced was not an option,” said co-chair of the Stand for Prescott - Yes on 443 Sherrie Hanna.

The alternative to paying down the obligation was pretty bleak. Payments to the PSPRS liability were becoming a drain on the general fund, putting public safety services at risk as well as stymieing programs such as Parks and Rec and Library Services, as well as others that community members had come to expect and appreciate.

Stand for Prescott, and the majority of Prescottonians, knew it was their responsibility to take care of those who spent their careers protecting and serving our community. members Billie Orr and Steve Shiscka, a committee was quickly assembled, co-chaired by Sheri Hanna and Cecilia Jergenson. The process of educating the community as to what was at risk began, and along with countless volunteers, a schedule of educational events took place.

In November 2017, the voters of Prescott approved a .75% of a penny sales tax to sunset in 10 years, or once the debt was below the amount of $1.75 million.

In just five years, during which the national economy was hammered with the COVID epidemic, the debt threshold has been met, and the tax will end Dec. 31, 2022. That’s a full five years less than expected.

The Stand for Prescott group was a true grassroots style campaign. Honestly, in political advertising, relationships such as these are not often seen.

I’m proud to say we can look back to our campaign message and say we were true to our word: “Promises given, promises kept” — Tracey Horn, Helken & Horn Ad Agency.

The passage of Proposition 443 and the results it delivered in five years is a true testament to what can be accomplished when folks come together as a community.

Sherrie Hanna • Co-Chair Cecelia Jernegan • Co-Chair Ann Brechwald • Treasurer Linda Nichols • Secretary Billie Orr Steve Sischka Peg Travers Rita Kavanaugh Terri Teschner Barry Barbe Tracey Horn Bill Feldmeier Kathleen Murphy Bob Betts Steve Blair Charlie Arnold Dan Bauman Ben Roche Tom Haney Dr. David Hess Pam Jones Nick Mork Chad Dougan