Thumbs up, down from the Yuma Sun

• Thumbs up to the news that Phil Swing Park, which has been closed since September 2014, will be reopening later this month. The park, located about 18 miles north of Yuma near the Imperial Dam, offers free camping, boating and fishing opportunities.

• Thumbs up to those who voted in the Nov. 7 city of Yuma election, helping to choose the next three Yuma City Council members. Your civic participation is appreciated!

• Thumbs up to the kindergarteners at H.L. Suverkrup Elementary School, who have been working on Christmas care packages for veterans. Such projects help children learn empathy and the need to care for one another, and we are glad to see local classrooms taking action!

• Thumbs up to the Yuma Catholic Shamrock football team, which continues on to the 3A state quarterfinals in Queen Creek tonight. Good luck, Shamrocks!

• Thumbs up to Gov. Doug Ducey, who visited Yuma County this week for the San Luis Border Port of Entry groundbreaking. While in the area, he stopped by Lutes Casino for lunch. Thanks for visiting Yuma County!

• Thumbs up to the U.S. Border Patrol agents who saved a struggling 15-year-old Guatemalan boy from the Salinity Canal. Their action likely saved the boy’s life, and serve as a reminder to the dangers of the canals.

• Thumbs down to yet another tragic shooting, this time at a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. Enough is enough. What has to happen before we as a nation start working toward solutions?

• Thumbs down to an ongoing contamination issue at 20th Street and Factor Avenue. Operations at the plant responsible for the contamination ceased more than 20 years ago, and yet, the contamination plume still exists. This is a project that one would think would have a higher priority.

Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down are compiled by the Yuma Sun editorial board, based on recent events, happenings and activities around Yuma County and the nation, and will appear on Fridays in the Yuma Sun.