3/6/2010 3:57:00 PM Camp Verde Council OKs draft IGA with State Parks 'Moving at break-neck speed' to keep Fort open
VVN/Jon Pelletier Park Ranger Robert Coody escorts visitors through the buildings of Fort Verde during Friday's inaugural "Living History" presentation. Dressed in period-correct clothing, Coody shared details of the life of a soldier during the most active era of the Fort, between 1871-1891. The new "Living History" program takes place at Fort Verde in Camp Verde every Friday at 1 p.m. Next week will feature hands-on adobe brick making.
CAMP VERDE - Once upon a time, it was all about a neckerchief.
The split between Camp Verde and Fort Verde was defined by yellow kerchiefs worn as part of the uniform of the Camp Verde Cavalry. The cloth was the line in the sand for the Friends of the Fort and Arizona State Parks.
A State Parks employee said the kerchiefs were historically inaccurate and had to go or the Cavalry had to go. The Cavalry said good-bye, and so did the Friends.
That was years ago. In the subsequent time, Camp Verde and Fort Verde lived together as an estranged couple - married of necessity but not speaking much to each other.
Wednesday night, that neckerchief was waved in front of the Town Council, so to speak. But this time it was mentioned only as reminder of how things went wrong and a plea for assurances it would not happen again.
Because the council cemented - at least for a year - its half of a new working relationship with Arizona State Parks. At Wednesday's meeting, the council approved a draft intergovernmental agreement giving Fort Verde $105,000 for operations through March 2011. Of that amount, $30,000 will be provided by Yavapai County, leaving $75,000 to come from Town coffers.
Due to the efforts of the Camp Verde Historical Society, the Town will also provide 2,200 hours of volunteer time. Nancy Floyd, treasurer of the Historical Society, said there are currently about 43 volunteers ready to be part of the program.
The volunteer program will be administered by the Town.
Floyd was concerned, however, about the timing of the agreement, as Town Manager Mike Scannell prepares to move to a new job. She called the IGA an "inter-gentlemen's agreement instead of an intergovernmental agreement," because it is not yet all in writing. It must still be approved by the State Parks board,
"We are moving at break-neck speed to beat the deadline," Scannell said. The Fort is currently set to close March 29 without an agreement.
Scannell expressed faith in new State Parks Director Rene Bahl, saying he was confident she would follow through on the IGA's intentions.
Some questions about the Town-Fort relationship are still being researched. Scannell pointed out more than once that the fort will remain a state park and will be run by the rules of Arizona State Parks. Camp Verde's donation of funding does not give the Town power to change that.
Historical Society board member Steve Ayers inquired about the possibility of having special events at Fort Verde as fund-raisers. A group of musicians, for instance, has asked if they could be allowed to perform a concert, possibly after regular fort hours, to help offset the town's costs.
Sheila Stubler, the park manager, said State Parks staff is looking at continuing current programs at the Fort and bringing in new ones.
And the issue of the neckerchiefs? Howard Parrish, who's been a member of the Camp Verde Cavalry for all of its 52 years of existence, pointedly warned the council of past transgressions and hurt feelings over the kerchiefs.
Scannell said that was a different time with different people. Now, he said, policies can be adjusted "that would allow the Cavalry to return."
