OPINION — After more than two decades, the Lower Verde Valley River of Time Museum faces an unforeseen and unprecedented challenge from the very keeper of the keys: the Town of Fountain Hills.
Housed in a shared building with the Maricopa County Library, both purposely built with taxpayer-funded bonds, the museum is threatened by a town claiming, after all this time, it violates a state gift clause. Hiding behind vague language, the powers that be want it repurposed for who knows what. Why?
The museum provides a public benefit, plain and simple. It records and displays our local history, without which it could very well be lost. It represents a vision by its founders and benefactors (voters) that otherwise may be forgotten. The town even created a commission in 2022 to provide additional input and support.
