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From the Desk of Ed Foster, Mayor

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Welcome Friends

AUGUST 21, 2010 -- As we enter yet another phase of attack, I would like to take this opportunity to share with our friends and supporters you some of the results of our research.

Lest you believe that the 'Ad Hoc' effort currently underway in an effort to circumvent the will of the people that elected me, let me assure you that many professional people [lawyers and elections specialists] have weighed in on this issue and all of them -- to the 'last man' -- have said that this is a ridiculous attempt and cannot succeed.

In light of the fact that the Town of Quartzsite -- last month alone -- paid Pamela Walsma, the 'Town Attorney' in excess of $ 14,000.00, it is questionable how much of these monies were allocated to the effort to remove me from office.

A Mayor can be removed from office in three ways:

A. He can move to retire, resign or move away, thereby 'relinquishing' his position voluntarily.
B. He can be recalled.
C. He can die.

I have no intention of facilitating this effort by methods A or C -- and I hope to do such an outstanding job as Mayor that I will not be a candidate for Recall. But were I to ever to face the will of the people in such an effort, I would do so with dignity and not try to impugn those that did not agree with my position.

The truth is that Quartzsite is embattled, embittered and searching for a means of 'hanging on.' It's unfortunate that the situation is what it is and I hope to bring a sense of camaraderie and community back to Quartzsite -- for the sake of its future.

Sometimes, things must get worse before they get better. I would encourage those that want to understand better the issues facing our community to read this document I realize it's a bit long and somewhat tedious -- but in as clear and concise form as this issue can be addressed, this document does an excellent job -- and it clearly illustrates the issues facing us today.

Once the picture is clear, the solutions are evident.

Best Regards,

Ed Foster, Mayor

ATTACKS ON THE INCREASE, THE BATTLE IS HEATING UP

For Such A Time As This

I want to inform my constituents that I am thankful for this -- the opportunity to serve Quartzsite -- and I believe that we will ultimately be instrumental in preventing this municipality from seeing total devastation.

After announcements from exiting acting Mayor Walter Akin and exiting councilman Hal Davidson that Quartzsite 'is broke, broke, broke,' we are suddenly hearing from Councilman Lukkasson that Quartzsite is fine: that there is no financial crisis facing this municipality.

What?

Apparently, the town's manager has suddenly put forth documentation to show that there is no problem with the town's fiscal wellbeing. In fact, in a letter to the editor another individual has stepped forward to announce that there are actually surpluses for the last two years.

What a feat! From financial devastation to a position of solvency in the blink of an eye!

But for the discerning -- the intelligent, concerned and aware citizen -- these 'revelations' are simply more red flags, indicating that someone, somewhere is concerned that there are simply too many 'critical eyes' looking at the town's financial position and asking for answers.

Please note that the budget, not made available to me until a Thursday afternoon, was followed by a work session on Friday, giving me less than the required by law 24 hours notice that there was going to be a work session to review a 49 page document that represents the entire one year of budgeted items totaling
$ 11,357,000.00 to establish what questions I might want to bring up at the work session.

I have been responsible for budgets throughout my career and I am quite familiar with how such matters are to be handled. This -- clearly -- is not the way to do a thorough job.

That Tuesday they passed said budget, essentially without review much less comprehensive questions -- because given the short timeframe involved for proper review [2 hours Thursday, 2 hours Friday and 8 hours each on that Monday and Tuesday] gives them a total of 20 hours to accurately review for passage a 49 page document encompassing well over
$ 11 MILLION in expenditures.

Then -- AS IF BY MAGIC -- someone somewhere is suddenly willing to throw Mr. Akin as well as Mr. Davidson under the bus of public opinion and state -- unequivocally -- that there is no problem with the town's financial condition.

It would be entertaining were it not such a ridiculous effort to disguise and distort the facts that are given to Quartzsite's citizens, most of whom are still looking at these sitting officials in startled surprise.

WHAT IS THE TRUTH?

At no time has a forensic audit more plausible, more necessary, more appropriate.

For months we've listened as the town's officials have touted Quartzsite's dire financial position as the reason behind the drastic water rate increases, the reason for calling in RDS to go after whatever revenue sources remain untapped in our community -- even the consideration of a prison complex!

Yet, in spite of all of this, the announcement has been made that Quartzsite is now instantly, documentably, magically solvent.

You'll excuse me if I ask to see those documents, won't you?

Because I've seen efforts to disguise true insolvency issues before, and this has all the earmarks of a smoke and mirrors job that would rival the best in the land.

I'm Ed Foster. 'The guy' that's going to continue asking the tough questions.

Best Regards,

Ed Foster

Welcome, Friends:

There still seems to be incorrect information circulating pertinent to the Mayoral position, I hope that this document will clarify those issues. [See: MAYOR]

As some of you may remember, under these rules, Richard Oldham had had to forfeit his council seat in order to run for the office of Mayor. As this document clearly shows, the Mayoral office is an official position. Thus, those that insist on referring to me as 'Councilman Mayor Foster' can clearly see that that is an incorrect term.

Again, I want to stress that I am committed to discovering what actions have resulted in creating the financial disaster that Quartzsite faces today. While I do not wish to cause difficulty for our sitting councilmen, I do find it interesting that they are so dedicated to blocking my efforts to properly review what financial records do exist -- and it is of grave concern that records have been removed from the Town Hall offices in the absence of Ms. Norris, whose job it is to control those records.

It is my intention and my hope to work toward consistency and competence, accountability and transparency in government. While I am disappointed in Mr. Winslow and Mr. Lukkasson's efforts, I will not be dissuaded from accomplishing the task at hand: it was the platform on which I ran and I am accountable -- first and foremost -- to my constituents.

I wish to thank those -- both local and those following Quartzsite from afar -- for their letters of support and for their dedication to understanding these issues. It has made my position a far more enjoyable task to know that there is widespread support for my position, and that others before me have discovered themselves facing the same plight.

By standing together, these issues can be surmounted. Quartzsite only stands to benefit from a strong and dedicated leadership, interested only in serving the greater good.

Best Regards,

Mayor Ed Foster

UPDATE: At the regular meeting of the Quartzsite Town Council yesterday evening, I was promised the documentation that I would be provided the documentation I've been requesting concerning funds that have been paid to two town employees totaling almost $ 2,000.00 for a two week period.

I was to be able to pick up that paperwork today. When I arrived at Town Hall to pick up the paperwork, I was verbally assaulted in town hall by Councilman Joe Winslow. My readers know Winslow as the councilman that threatened -- on the town's tape as the mics were being turned on -- to "machine gun about five of 'em in the front row..."

When I arrived to pick up the pay vouchers as promised, I was informed that the pay vouchers would not be shown to me as promised.

Ms. Taft informed me through Karen Norris that I would not be getting access to the pay vouchers but would be receiving a report 'okayed' by the attorney. I stepped into the doorway of Ms. Taft's office to inquire why I had been provided the pay vouchers for Dan Field and Mark Skogland when they left the employ of the town, but now -- even as Mayor -- am not allowed to see these records pertaining to what amounts to significant payments made to two town employees via 'direct deposit.'

Mr. Winslow and Ms. Anderson were in the office with Ms. Taft and Mr. Winslow jumped up and charged toward me, shouting that I had no business in that office and he said, "Get the hell out of here."

Ms. Anderson was alarmed enough that she shouted at Mr. Winslow, "Don't touch him!"

I backed away, not wanting a confrontation with Mr. Winslow and left town hall.

On the way home I met Larry Pickett at the post office and was informed that a call had gone out for police assistance at town hall.

In fact, as I continue to raise questions pertinent to the actions of our sitting council as well as the Town Manager Alex Taft -- and as I question Quartzsite's legal counsel -- as is my responsibility to do -- one councilman, Jerry Lukkasson, wrote me and then published his letter to hand out at the council meeting apparently concerning a comment I raised about the Rules of Order and proper meeting protocol.

To clarify this matter, it must first be understood that the Quartzsite Town Policy and Procedures Manual now comprises a considerable amount of information and is constantly being revised -- while the format in which these changes are communicated to elected officials is essentially antiquated.

Providing our councilmen with a searchable database of information [DVD, CD, or online] would allow them to be absolutely clear on what rules and regulations govern our meetings.

Mr. Lukkasson may want to familiarize himself with the terms 'argumentum ad hominem' and 'ad hominem abusive.'

His efforts to impugn my character and attack my methods are indicative of a larger picture -- an effort to distract us from the issues at hand. We cannot afford to deviate from the course of action on which we've already embarked.

1. The citizens of Quartzsite have a right to know [See: FOIA] what monies are spent and how they are allocated.
2. The amount of Town of Quartzsite checks and DIRECT DEPOSIT TRANSACTIONS are also a matter of public record.
3. It is ILLEGAL to withhold information from the Mayor and other elected officials.
4. It is ILLEGAL to withhold information from the citizens of Quartzsite who have taken the time to submit FOIA requests.
5. It is ILLEGAL to transport Town of Quartzsite records outside the Town Hall property.
6. It is ILLEGAL to transport Town of Quartzsite records away from Quartzsite.
7. It is ILLEGAL to violate Arizona State Law concerning the handling of Town records.
8. It is ILLEGAL to violate Arizona State Law concerning the disposal of Town records.
9. It is ILLEGAL to violate Arizona State Law concerning the recycling of Town records.

These are not suggestions: they're LAWS. Our Town officials and Town employees are required BY LAW to OBEY these laws and hold themselves accountable UNDER THE LAW.

There are many more areas currently under review at this time. I will suffice it to say this:

I was elected to be the Mayor of Quartzsite. For those that may not know it, the position of Mayor, historically, has been one of a liaison between the people and their government.

It is correct for the people to come to me with their concerns and it is my responsibility to carry those concerns before our elected officials to allow them to respond to those concerns.

It is widely known that a wide segment of Quartzsite's citizens believe that there is wrongdoing on the part of our leadership.

All I have done both before and since my election is make the effort to obtain the truth -- to perform my duty as the duly elected Mayor of this town to develop and promote transparency in our government -- to allow the citizens to find evidence of wrongdoing or lay aside their suspicions.

Instead, the efforts of our Town Manager and all of our councilmen have been geared not toward addressing these issues straightforwardly while utilizing methods that could be described as 'above board' but -- instead -- toward stonewalling, the suppression of information, the smuggling of documents away from Town Hall while the person rightfully responsible for those documents was away on vacation, the willful 'dumping' of Town documentation into recycling bins.

Such activities as have been undertaken are a tragedy for our citizens and a travesty of justice. And such activities clearly lend credence to those many charges of corruption that have already been leveled at these same individuals.

Mr. Lukkasson's attacks against me -- point for point -- are vague and without merit and so transparent are his efforts to deflect the negative attention from the true issues that I point them out here only to properly refute his charges.

'Ad hominem abusive' is defined as "usually insulting or belittling one's opponent but can also involve pointing out character flaws or actions which are irrelevant to the opponent's argument. This tactic is logically fallacious because insults and even true negative facts about the opponent's character have nothing to do with the logical merits of the opponents arguments or assertions."

I would suggest to Mr. Lukkasson that he stick to the elements of these cases at hand and abandon the effort to attack my personal integrity. If he has any complaints against me -- if anyone has complaints against me -- I ask that they direct their comments according to true standards of conduct, and address the issue or issues without flagrant attempts to attack that have no merit.

In an apparent attempt to discredit me, Councilman Lukkasson, has attempted to point out that the Mayor does not have the responsibility of directing the meeting nor the Power of the Agenda. In fact, the attempt by the council in two heavily criticized motions to remove the Power of the Agenda from the Mayor only after I was elected and had not even been allowed to assume my post has not yet become law. And since the disempowerment of the Mayor [as directed by Alex Taft during the last two meetings during which she placed these items on the agenda for passage by the council] will likely not be allowed to be passed, his comments are premature, at best.

Mr. Lukkasson is mistakenly assuming that these items are not going to become referendum issues. And even if the new rules were accepted, before the agenda can proceed, Taft first must have an agenda meeting and then have a meeting with the Mayor. All the agendas over which I -- as Mayor -- have presided since being sworn in as Mayor have been illegally presented.

Mr. Lukkasson's letter implies that these changes have already taken effect -- but they have not and, actually would not have until June 26, 2010. Now, it looks as though the effort to disempower the position of Mayor has essentially been prevented. We cannot know with certainty until the Petitions for Referendum have been turned in but the numbers have consistently indicated that this will be so.

Mr. Lukkasson has seemingly forgotten that my entire campaign was based upon my promises to the good people of Quartzsite that I would investigate the causes behind the financial insolvency that is now plaguing Quartzsite. That I would review and bring forward the issues that I believed were contributing to the demise of business within the town -- and that I would strive to make certain that all of the citizens of Quartzsite were being fairly and equitably represented.

I am specifically doing the job that I was elected to do -- for the people, by those people that elected me.

In my successful careers -- first as a Marine and, later, an engineer -- it was my responsibility to educate and train others and to hold myself to a high level of accountability.

It is actually I that have repeatedly requested that our elected officials behave themselves professionally and ethically, leaving personalities aside and, hopefully, striving for a strong and committed community, working toward the betterment of all

Best Regards,

Ed Foster, Mayor

DENIALS OF DOCUMENTATION REQUESTS RAISE MORE QUESTIONS

Editor's Note: During my campaign as Mayor, I discovered that there were many people in Quartzsite that harbored suspicions about the Town and the handling of those 'community' funds that are part of the property that belongs to the town.

Among those that voiced their concerns during that time were some that were actually on the town's payroll. These people understand that they are not only privy to what happens at the governmental level in Quartzsite -- they are also responsible for those matters that come to their attention that are not within the realm of 'normal.'

It is these people that brought their concerns to me that are now of primary concern to me.

I have, since my election, begun to ask questions based upon the information these dedicated people brought to my attention.

There are no easy answers for their questions. And the pointed questions that I am asking since my election are intended to put an end to speculation that there are things wrong in Quartzsite that everyone wants to remain hidden.

That's simply not true. There are concerned people that are employed by the town. I intend to see that their questions are answered once and for all -- and whatever wrongs committed, made right.

It is unfortunate that Ms. Taft has taken this position. It is interesting to note that when an angry response to these revelations occurs, it only brings more whistleblowers to the fore -- and the citizens win either way.

It is much the same with the transparent effort to withhold this information. With that, I am handed the very tools I need to bring more officials into the fray and the situation breeds more interest, more onlookers and more legal assistance.

And once again, Quartzsite's officials are publicly seen as rogue, unprofessional and incompetent -- or worse.

It is for this reason that I am disappointed to have to report that efforts are being made to block me from obtaining the documentation that I need to do a comprehensive investigation of a series of questionable payments -- and to whom those monies were paid.

$8,977.31 was paid to person or persons unknown over a two week period, and the information pertinent to these expenditures is being withheld by our Town Manager, Alex Taft.

She has effectively [albeit temporarily] prohibited my acquisition of these reports, forcing me to resort to FOIA to obtain the information that should be readily made available to me as Mayor of the town.

Taft has also taken steps to remove the Town Clerk from my direct supervision, and placing her under that of Ms. Taft.

And at that same Council Meeting [of June 9, 2010,] I am also -- at the behest of Joe Winslow -- prohibited from asking for any reports not approved by the entire council in advance. Thus my questions are now being blocked -- to obtain the name of the payee, the amount of the additional payment and the stated reason for payments above the approved payment [or salary] amounts are all viable questions that must be answered.

And so, at this point in time, I have no alternative but to resort to FOIA because the council can not legislate away a citizen's right to know under the Freedom of Information Act. Ignoring or denying the FOIA requests only works to bring the town under questioning from FOIA officials.

The referendum, of course, is already underway and enjoying widespread support.

Such a referendum will provide a permanent injunction prohibiting these actions from taking effect until the next general election to be held in May 2012.

Most legislative bodies will generally choose to repeal an unpopular action without allowing a referendum if it is actively challenged by the citizenry, in part because once it comes to a referendum, it becomes a permanent law and only the people can change it in the future.

I am, at this point, hopeful that the councilmen with whom I share my responsibility will begin to act according to the best interest of the people of Quartzsite, recognizing that they were elected to represent the people and not the select interests of the few.

Best Regards,

Ed Foster, Mayor

Editor's Note: By now, most of you know that I was sworn in as Mayor of Quartzsite Tuesday evening, May 25, 2010 and I happily look forward to serving my community and beginning the process of keeping my promises and developing a dedicated policy of transparency in our local government.

I am aware that there are -- and have been throughout my candidacy -- many rumors circulating concerning what actions I will take once in office. I can and do assure my constituents that there will be no tremendous changes. I do not intend to 'do away with the police force nor the library,' and I am not part of any effort to defame or undermine any of our officials.

I am, after all, just one of seven voices on a council. My responsibility is to 'officiate over the meetings' and administer council actions. I am to be straightforward in my approach and directly accessible to the people as well as to my fellow council members.

While Quartzsite faces a dire financial future, we can and will work to assure our town employees a future with the Town of Quartzsite. We have much to which we can look forward with anticipation and good will. I am of strong faith in our people that we can work toward healing and a sound effort can only result in working well with each other.

I intend to honor my commitments to my constituents regarding the concerns brought forth during my candidacy. Every effort will be made to rebuild the community participation in our governmental structure and I hope to make those changes with the support of a strong and dedicated council.

In all, I am honored and humbled to be given this opportunity to serve this great community and I look forward to working with all of you.

Best Regards,

Ed Foster

P.S. While I, personally, am a teetotaler, in the early days of my campaign I enjoyed the support of a karaoke group at the Quartzsite's infamous Yacht Club and that of a group of people that frequently gather for pizza at Silly Al's Pizza, also on Main Street. I also still visit the Citizen's Coalition meetings held at Paradise RV Park on Moon Mountain Road as well as other locations where my supporters and constituents gather periodically. My goal is to remain accessible to those people that put me in office, and to maintain dedicated to them, willing to listen to any concerns they may have.

Please feel free to contact me at the number listed on the contact page and join us at your convenience. I look forward to hearing from you!

Buried in the Dirt in Quartzsite

It's anything but a typical small town.

Quartzsite's embattled town hall has a reputation for humiliating diatribes from the bench, unparalleled limits to free speech, inaccountability to taxpayers, unqualified additions to state law [to prevent people from running for office that are accused of owing the town money,] nepotism [hiring relatives to paid positions,] hiring the unqualified without putting positions out for bid, slander of people that stand in opposition to their activities, retaliation against those people attempting to hold them to some level of accountability, back room deals, habitual and constant violation of this nation's Sunshine Laws, raising fees [cap fees, water and sewer fees] to compensate for missing funds on their watch, and other activities that are not considered legal nor 'ethical' and more.

No one that cares about the Town of Quartzsite could subscribe to the actions of the sitting town council.

The town is insolvent [broke] and OVER $ 4 MILLION DOLLARS IN DEBT. They continue to spend money without accountability and have BLOCKED ALL EFFORTS TO AUDIT THE BOOKS to see what happened to all those missing funds. Yet many of these leaks have been exposed and are not stopping. What are they hiding and why?

The MINESHAFT came into being because only one side of the story was ever being told.
The MINESHAFT is not affiliated with those in charge when missing monies became a problem.
The MINESHAFT is not affiliated with any of the relatives of those in charge when money went missing.
The MINESHAFT has an impact because it represents those who have had no voice until now - Our Citizens.
The MINESHAFT has not criticized law enforcement.
The MINESHAFT will continue to tell the truth, the complete truth, without exception, about what's happening in Quartzsite.
The MINESHAFT prints only what can be proven.
The MINESHAFT is not funded by the town and will take no funds from the town, ever.

The Truth About Recalls

The 'acting Mayor' of Quartzsite, Wesley Huntley, and others that have [or have had] recall papers created or pending against them present the 'fact' that recalls are costing the town money. How much is it costing Quartzsite's citizens to leave these people in office when they WILL NOT BE ACCOUNTABLE for MILLIONS IN MISSING FUNDS?

Quartzsite citizens repeatedly asked the council to:

1. ]    Stop holding meetings away from Quartzsite's citizens where they cannot be attended BY CITIZENS as provided for under our LAWS;
2. ]    Not appoint a Mayor but allow the ELECTION of one as provided for under our LAWS;
3. ]    Honor the Sunshine law as written to prevent the council from engaging in secret meetings as provided for under the LAW;
4. ]    Allow the citizenry to speak at public meetings without fear of humiliation or retribution as provided for under our LAWS;
5. ]    Stop any and all CONFLICTS OF INTEREST as provided for under our LAWS;
6. ]    Hire PROFESSIONALS who can do a PROFESSIONAL job as provided for under the LAW;
7. ]    Determine established PROTOCOL and do as other municipalities do without malice or regard for particular persons or groups, treating all citizens equally as provided for under the LAW.

Since these matters were so insignificant as to be IGNORED by Quartzsite's sitting council, it is the RIGHT OF THE CITIZENRY to recall these elected officials.
No Recall is even remotely as expensive as having people in office -- spending the public's monies -- while refusing to be accountable to their constituents. Transparency in government was the platform on which I ran my campaign -- and transparency in government is what I strive to accomplish.
Recall is also the only remaining recourse for the election [or appointment] of officials who are unwilling to represent the interests of their constituents.

There is a way for officials to avoid RECALL: LISTEN to the CITIZENS.

The Truth About FOIA Requests

Foster's use of FOIA document requests is PROTECTED UNDER the LAW.
Officials of the Town of Quartzsite have ignored many of Foster's requests, which is AGAINST THE LAW.
Foster is entitled to the documents which he has requested UNDER THE LAW.
Foster's use of FOIA to request water related documents is APPROPRIATE UNDER the LAW.
Officials of the Town of Quartzsite may refuse to answer which is AGAINST THE LAW.
Foster is entitled to those water related documents which he has requested UNDER THE LAW.

Don't Be in the Dark!
Click here To Make The MINESHAFT Your Homepage!

Edward L. Foster
Post Office Box 956
Quartzsite, Arizona 85346

E-MAIL:
DeepInTheDirt@QUARTZSITEMINESHAFT.COM

Related resources

Verifying the Facts:

In Quartzsite, when listening to complaints about the media, find out why they're complaining.

Then read whatever publication they've said they're reading and make certain they are not misrepresenting the content. Compare facts to fiction.

Then find out how they're related to the sitting town council or representatives of the sitting town council and ask them this:

Why are they afraid of The MINESHAFT?

E-MAIL:
DeepInTheDirt@QUARTZSITEMINESHAFT.COM

Breaking News Click Here From the Desk of Ed Foster, Mayor What does a bankrupt municipality look like? READ MORE