Breaking News Click Here                                           ARCHIVES


Ed Foster, Mayor

From the Desk of Ed Foster, Mayor


What does a bankrupt municipality look like? READ MORE  And More 

When is Enough Enough?

17 JUNE -- I am so thankful for Quartzsite's fine police officers and for Quartzsite's citizenry.

I can tell you that from where I sat at the head of the room, the audience was virtually a sea of red -- and this indicates that the MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE are in FULL SUPPORT of our fine police officers and all they stand for.

This has been a tough, tough week. We are making news for the out of control antics of our council and their blind determination to plunge ahead -- when everyone but them seems to understand they're heading straight over a cliff.

They are determined to continue attempting to defend the indefensible in spite of the fact that it causes them to look not only ignorant but complicit. WHY would they ALLOW the hiding of the books to continue? Their protectors stand by with so much mud on their faces they're virtually unrecognizable. These people have become the running joke of not only Quartzsite but surrounding communities.

It's not as if people don't see through what's happening. Propaganda is something that is easily recognized no matter how often it's used to try to thwart real reporting of the truth.

At least one county reporter is now being openly criticized for refusing to print that truth and for twisting the stories in an attempt to use the false charges filed against myself and others to effect public opinion.

Why would that be? Because public opinion matters. Because YOU matter. Because when people understand they've been played, they will effect change.

Who is controlling this reporter from the Parker Pioneer? Answer that and you have put your finger on just who is responsible for the financial and ethical disaster facing Quartzsite -- and quite likely for a good percentage of the one at La Paz County.

It's time the truth was told. The entire truth.

Similar to La Paz County, Quartzsite is broke. Flat broke, in fact, with little information as to how it came to be this way. Because we're on I-10, we enjoy a tremendous income stream because of the truck stops and tourism our location affords our small community. This community should be thriving! Yet those monies have somehow magically disappeared and we're on the verge of bankruptcy. AND YET our town manager who seems to insist she is answerable to no one is somehow allowed to continue -- by our council -- as she literally HIDIES the records and books and  continues smirking at the officials in the State of Arizona Ombudsman's Office who have told her in no uncertain terms that she is to produce those records forthwith! Their letter HERE.

Similarly, Goldwater Institute has criticized Quartzsite's officials for making rules and regulations that, in effect, attempt to circumvent those already in place and overseen by the State of Arizona concerning candidates for elections and what the criteria to run for office should be. The Town of Quartzsite is vested with what powers it has BY THE STATE OF ARIZONA and it cannot simply choose to act outside that scope of power designated for it by the state!

Shortly thereafter, the Policemen's Association of our town came forward, risking their entire careers and their own reputations to point out that the many accusations against the town's Chief of Police absolutely have merit and that they, themselves, fully 80% of the police force, have given a vote of NO CONFIDENCE in this man and his abilities to properly oversee the department or handle the tasks entrusted to him.

And what did the council choose to do? Ignore them. Pretend their accusations were not made. Hire a private law firm to 'investigate' the officers instead of Gilbert -- instead of turning it over to the Department of Public Service as the law dictates in allegations of criminal activity.

Now comes the Vice President of AZCOPS.ORG who took the time to come to Quartzsite to see for himself the disastrous situation that exists here. READ HERE his comments concerning Quartzsite and what is transpiring.

This is a MUNICIPALITY -- not a private club. And, as our officers have pointed out, this isn't a popularity contest! THIS is how a professional investigation is to be conducted.

Morale at the police department has plummeted because there are things happening in our community that should not occur anywhere. All the politically motivated rhetoric that's being put into the public forum [and all the unbelievable things that are happening in our community]  are only indicative of a larger problem -- one they're hoping won't be investigated.

But the citizens themselves have been writing letters, talking to officials, demanding an investigation -- and it's all, of course, about to happen because the charges are so egregious and the evidence is so clear it demands investigation.

And yet the council continues to block all efforts to discover WHY we are broke, WHERE those monies have been paid and to WHOM, FOR HOW LONG this has all been allowed to occur and WHEN it to be corrected.

And what is their priority? Blocking off as much of the gallery as possible so as few people can be in the room to complain about their activities as was possible.

To better accommodate this agenda, first they removed many of the chairs -- then they installed a banister in our already space compromised gallery, and then an additional barricade in the alcove to dissuade people from watching the proceedings.  PICTURES HERE

In the meantime, we're losing our CDBG grant of $250,000.00 because the work they needed Quartzsite's personnel to do somehow never quite got accomplished. In fact, neither the necessary personnel nor the equipment was assigned to accomplishing this very important task so critical to the long term success of our community.

Is there NO ONE that seems to have any remaining confidence in Quartzsite?

 

There might be a reason for that.

Since the day that I was elected, every effort has been made to undermine my leadership. The council immediately moved to strip me of whatever powers the seat was intended to hold -- and the resulting lack of leadership has damaged all of us.

And by that statement I am not saying that I am a brilliant leader -- I am pointing out that when the people within make an open joke of our government and work openly to circumvent the will of the people, how are people outside likely to respond? Can any of us undermine those about us without it reflecting upon all of us?

This is, in fact, the reason Quartzsite is in the position in which we currently find ourselves.

Government is for all the people -- not just a select few. Justice is to be equitably applied. The monies that come into government are to be allocated to the citizenry -- not used for self-aggrandizement. These people were not voted in to 'rule' over you -- they were elected to represent you!

People are not to be singled out for retribution using the powers granted to government because of their political beliefs or activities. In Quartzsite, this is commonplace. And the people singled out to be targeted, maligned, attacked are those that would have been unlikely to have complained at all about government had they not, themselves, been targeted.

But once they were drawn into the frey-- and spoke to others who were -- an ominous picture began to emerge.

And those with the courage to ask a few questions suddenly found themselves in possession of some most distressing information.

They had challenged the 'status quo.'

They wanted to know why Quartzsite was broke in spite of the phenomenal amounts of money the town generates. Why water and sewer rates were being raised exorbitantly high -- and why certain places and people were 'exempt' from those rate increases. Why certain people were forced to 'hook up' and others were left alone.

Why Quartzsite's officials weren't following the rules for properly running a municipality.

Why people were being paid whose identities are -- to this day -- being kept a secret.

Why viable business people are driven from town before they can establish the business they came here to build -- usually under very suspicious circumstances. Why so many different people report that they were asked to pay 'certain monies.'

Why some individuals are being treated so differently from most. Why Quartzsite's councilpeople are allowing or even encouraging the town manager, Alexandra Taft, from honoring legitimate FOIA requests.

Why Quartzsite's reputation has diminished so drastically publicly.

Why people aren't friendly or nice at Town Hall. Why officials are purposely refusing to answer their phones or take calls from concerned constituents or those attempting to properly handle their responsibilities.

Why 'corrupt' is the most common adjective used to describe Quartzsite.

Why people are hired whose applications seemingly don't exist. Why 'qualifications' don't seem to matter when hiring these individuals.

Why records were being carried out the back door by a person not designated as the clerk. Why the records of certain citizens are no longer in their files -- in this person's office.

Why people are criminally charged with crimes who have never, ever had any record of criminal activity -- and why, when the town's excellent, longterm and widely respected prosecutor refused to prosecute these individuals for such 'crimes' he was promptly terminated.

The list goes on, and on, and on.

Quartzsite is a town. These people cannot forever remain in control. These questions are not going to go away -- they are going to be answered. These issues are going to be corrected because they must be. An audit will not be avoided for years into the future, it doesn't matter who attempts to block it.

Our councilmen are in those seats to do a job. That job demands to be properly accomplished.

It's time professionalism and accountability return to Quartzsite and I intend to do my part to see that I am part of that solution.

The office of Mayor is one I take very seriously and no one was more distressed than I to read of the crimes of which I have been accused simply because I have had the audacity to challenge these untoward activities.

I'm Ed Foster, Mayor

 

 

Is the 'End of the Road' approaching?

As Quartzsite faces the culmination of a series of events, it looks as though the 'end of the road' for those that have consistently misled the public about what is -- and isn't -- happening in Quartzsite may finally be called to task.

It's easy for people to bask in denial -- they can postpone the inevitable for only so long, though, before the truth is known. We face just such a situation today. It's not that they don't know what's happening -- it's that they hope you don't. And a simple assessment from those whose hands they forced into action will now turn a difficult situation into an impossible one.

The fallout has only begun.

In the case where Oldham's airstrip was decimated before a court could hear [or rule on] the matter at hand, Oldham's attorneys have taken a hard line against the town.

Oldham tolerated a great deal before taking this measure. He had consulted attorneys and there were letters between Oldham's attorneys and those the town had hired specifically to address the Main Event issue. He quite obviously did not want battle the town head-on and, instead, worked to establish the true position of the Main Event property and the runway that has so long been a part of that property. There was research that had to be done by Oldham and his attorneys. He left no question in the minds of the town's officials that this research was underway.

Then, without prior warning, he found the destruction of the runway by two of the town's graders underway. The police chief was on site. A statement has been made that a witness was prevented from calling 9-11 to report the incident to county officials under threat of arrest.

The runway was decimated. The town has now been notified by Oldham's attorneys that they, themselves, are responsible for any accidents that occur at that site and not Oldham -- since Oldham did nothing to endanger lives at the Main Event property.

When a report was made to the Town Council about the runway, Mr. Bertsch, who was in the past the manager of the Main Event airstrip property, was forced to wait until the call to the public portion of the Town Council meeting before he could even speak.

He warned the audience that night -- the council included -- that to fail to properly mark the runway to warn people driving onto the airstrip was a clear threat to life. Yet that was not enough. The town's officials -- yet un-named -- chose to destroy the airstrip.

The council cannot jump in and act before a court has a chance to hear a case. What if you were notified by the town that they were laying claim to a piece of your property and they bull-dozed a strip through the center of it without allowing you the opportunity to first go to court?

Citizens have the right to defend their own property. What happened to Oldham was a violation of his rights. It should not have been allowed. When Oldham asked for the records via an official FOIA request-- his right as a citizen -- to know who issued the order to send those bulldozers to the Main Event property to destroy the runway, he was told there was no such document.

Al Johnson, building inspector, remarked to Oldham when he requested the documents in question, "We were just maintaining our roadway."

As Mayor, I am here to tell you that there was a work order created to order those bulldozer operators to take Town of Quartzsite equipment to that private property to bulldoze a strip right through that runway. Now, the people that did it are obviously afraid to reveal themselves, aren't they? They are, in fact, admitting that they don't want to admit it was they that acted so unfairly and so outside the realm of exercising reasonable judgment -- and acted to intentionally and deliberately destroy a person's private property before the court could rule on the matter.

What they did was inexcusable. Someone will, ultimately, be ordered to admit what they did. Someone will be held accountable for not allowing the case to proceed through court the way proper handling of the matter required. Someone acted outside the realm of their authority.

While we're on the subject, let's briefly address the issue of Richard Oldham.

There is a group of people in Quartzsite that use Oldham as their excuse for everything they do.

They say they don't want 'certain people' to get into office because they're reportedly 'friends of Oldham.' They don't want anyone to listen to this person or that one, citing the same excuse. I've studied this matter and I can tell you that any time an issue comes up that would require they follow 'proper rules of procedure' they use Oldham as an excuse to exercise poor judgment.

This is a very transparent agenda for anyone that cares to do the math.

Oldham is not in office and is not running for office. Oldham is not involved in politics except to follow what's happening. He is just another businessman who oversees his investments -- and some of those just happen to include property in Quartzsite.

Now let me tell you what other pretty well grounded businessmen have to say about Quartzsite.

"Those people at Town Hall act like they're doing you a favor just by showing up."
"Some Town Manager they have here -- that woman is never in the office and does not return calls."
"I've never seen more disgruntled town employees -- what is wrong with these people?"
"I would have liked to have purchased property here but this place scares me. If they think you're on the side of so and so you're marked."
"Quartzsite used to be such a fun place to hang around."
"They don't seem to want winter visitors in Quartzsite anymore."
"I was going to put in a permanent business here but I picked a safer location."
"I don't think we will be coming back to Quartzsite. We're looking for a new destination."

There are many, many more I would like to report to you but cannot because they refer to easily identifiable town employees that have been accused of overt harassment.

If these comments don't concern you, they should. Quartzsite is suffering from a common plight. There are too few people wielding too much power.



I'm Ed Foster
Mayor of Quartzsite






It's Heating Up in Quartzsite... and the Smoke is Spreading


A wiser man than me once said, "However long it takes for people to understand they can't keep operating outside the box, that's how long it will take for things here to settle down into some semblance of normalcy." Today I understand well his dilemma.

This story in the White Mountain Independent has proven that -- although it may take time to resolve -- Quartzsite will be expected to become a municipality that respects the law, operates within it and welcomes those who take a similar path. There is no justification for what's happen in Quartzsite -- where the community has found itself at the mercy of those who rule with special consideration for certain 'friends' and attempt to 'legislate out of business' those who don't comply.

Keeping 'certain people' from running for office was sure to come under scrutiny and the council was repeatedly warned that this was the case. Yet they continued without even the slightest consideration for where the situation might lead -- so important was it to them that they prevent people they didn't want in office from being able to run.

There is in this country a Constitution for a reason. No matter your political leanings, you simply cannot seek to separate from an individual their Constitutional rights. For this reason and many others, it was absurd to even attempt to do this -- yet the council, acting in their combined wisdom, chose to ignore the law and go forward with their attack against those individuals that they did not want to see get elected.

In much the same manner, Oldham's rights were completely trampled when the runway at his private airstrip was destroyed -- using the town's money, the town's equipment and the town's personnel.

Knowing that Oldham was working to defend his airstrip as it was openly and directly addressed in letters to the council, someone at the town decided to arbitrarily destroy that runway before the matter could even be heard in court.

People must understand that a municipality simply cannot be operated this way.

Being a councilperson or being an employee of the town -- even if you're the town manager or some other individual employed in an 'official capacity' doesn't give you the right to run roughshod over the rights of others.

That little strip of ground the town officials have claimed as their own is a tiny 'Road to Nowhere' that did not need to be graded specifically before the lawyers could prepare the case to be heard in the court and the court could actually hear the case and issue a ruling in the matter. That action has laid the foundation for yet another lawsuit against the town.

We saw the same attitudes in Parker where they have now famously resulted in an astronomical judgment against the county.

The situations we face today beg the question -- 'Who is in charge? And what qualifies these obviously reckless and vindictive individuals to be in charge?'

They have chosen -- in spite of well documented explanations and warnings -- to engage in actions that have caused our financially challenged municipality to be facing bankruptcy and worse -- just like the county.

Again, as Mayor, I have to point out that the financial situation of Quartzsite -- bring run on HURF funds that were not intended for this use and where the groundwork for repayment has to date not even been laid -- cannot continue.

Repeatedly I have been accused of wanting to dismantle the police department and change the way the town is doing business.

Do these same individuals realize what happens to financially bankrupt communities? They are absorbed by the counties in which they are located and their 'right to govern themselves' is forcibly relinquished.

Their employees are given 'pink slips' and their police forces and other facets of municipal government are disbanded.

In our case, all of the tax dollars generated by the truck stops and other businesses then would go to the county -- AND all debt incurred is then pressed upon the taxpayers of the town where it will remain a special tax bill that will force property owners to pay it. In other words, the county will absorb Quartzsite's assets and income -- but not its debt.

There are those that suspect our town is being 'engineered out of existence' by design.

The new 'solar project' on Route 95 needs our water and sewer utilities for that project. Two key individuals who hold positions of authority [one in Quartzsite and one now in Parker] have long been rumored to have a financial interest in that project that will net them fantastic sums of money if the project is brought to fruition.

If the town continues its pattern of insolvency, we will lose it to La Paz County. Then, La Paz County will have all the extra monies it needs to offset the debt to Willette and go back to the way it was before Quartzsite was ever incorporated -- with Parker controlling everything. Quartzsite will be financially destitute -- but La Paz County will have everything.

The County Sheriff's office will provide 'law enforcement' -- just like it did before Quartzsite's incorporation.

Consider just a bit of the evidence that this is what is happening. As I have reported at every opportunity, the Arizona State Senate has just announced that they're taking [removing] $43 million from the HURF funds in an effort to resolve their own budgeting issues.

Was this the time for Quartzsite to allocate $13.9 million for restructuring of the water treatment plant? Why was this done? It is absolutely not necessary and there is not a population growth issue that could explain the decision on the part of the council to allocate monies -- monies we don't have and will have to borrow -- to pay for such a exorbitantly large project.

Could this, instead, have something to do with the above mentioned intentional financial devastation that could well be part of a concerted effort to bankrupt Quartzsite? A plan that would 'award' the town's asset of a huge, state of the art sewer system [necessary for that big solar project being considered within 10 miles of Quartzsite] to La Paz County's control?

Who at La Paz County might have been a party to the engineering of such a thing?

Perhaps the people who want to know what's really happening will take some time to 'do the math' so they can truly see that 'bigger picture.' Our survival as an independent municipality may depend on it.

I'm Ed Foster, Mayor of Quartzsite


Divisions long a factor in Quartzsite


There is an idea that divides the town of Quartzsite. It is the idea is that one must own property to have a say in our community, to vote for proper representatives.

This is a concept that fell out of favor with the framers of our Constitution. While it was a common practice in the original thirteen colonies, the wise men who started our great nation decided that universal suffrage was the best form of government.

If we allow this concept to creep back into our government, where does it stop? Perhaps next it will be Hispanics that are not allowed to have a say, but why stop there -- women are surely on that list somewhere.

This is an idea held by foolish old men trying to preserve their control over their town.

The truly ridiculous part though is that Alex Taft sits in the middle of this argument, using it to further divide this community. She uses this at every opportunity to conceal her mismanagement of the town as a whole.

The last Council meeting was a good example of this. First there was the expenditure of money to “study” the waste treatment plant. This town is facing another year with a huge deficit that Ms. Taft will have to wave her magic wand and borrow from the HURF fund to cure.

Then there is the matter of paving Targa Trail. Barbra Cowell and Alex Taft have been pressuring APS employees to finish their part of the project. Ms. Cowell had public works men and equipment working on private property to repair a sewer. When the vote came on the matter, Ms. Cowell did not recuse herself [as she was obligated to do and should have] because she had an interest in the issue.

Ms. Taft is like a conductor in these issues. A favor here, a favor there and the council does her bidding. They do this because once a favor is asked or accepted, you have crossed a line. There is a slippery slope on the other side of that line and there is no turning back because -- if you had any principals -- they have been compromised.

It becomes easier and easier to ignore the oath of office that public officials take “to support the Constitution and the laws of the State of Arizona”. The council has decided that their version of state law is the law. They don’t recognize their position in the scheme of federal and state laws. They have been writing their own version of the law long enough that they think that they can get by with it indefinitely. The Goldwater Institute is about to show them the consequences of their actions.

I promise the taxpayers of Quartzsite that I will do everything in my power to hold these people personally responsible for their decisions -- and not allow them for force the taxpayers to fund their defense.

ARS 9-255 states “unless the act is committed under circumstances which would cause, or would have caused, a reasonable or prudent person to have knowledge of the act.” I believe that the council has had more than enough information that a reasonable person would have judged that Ord. 09-15 to be unlawful.

I am writing a letter to Bill Simms of the insurance pool stating why the councilpersons who have steadfastly voted to uphold this law should be held personally responsible for their actions as the law requires and that the taxpayers of Quartzsite should be spared any expense or association with their decisions.

Accountability is everything. There has to be a wake-up call at some point it time or the citizens of Quartzsite will continue to face taxation without representation.

I'm Ed Foster, Mayor

Today's Election! 

It's been a war of words this week over what's best for Quartzsite -- but the facts prove we can't stay on the track we've been traveling.

March 8, 2011 -- QUARTZSITE, ARIZONA --

Today is a turning point for Quartzsite.

Over these past months we have watched helplessly as an already grave situation continued to escalate.

The Parker Pioneer suggested the town of Quartzsite be dis-incorporated. Alex Taft responded that they 'spit in the faces' of those who work in Quartzsite.

Let me guess. That would be her salary she's defending along with those of her 'friends and relatives.'

We, as employers of the staff at Town Hall, pay more for the least qualified, often untried candidates, hiring them for positions that are not even advertised as being available -- and get little for our money but more problems, more secrecy, more bullying.

We have watched innocent people be persecuted and even prosecuted for daring to speak out. We have watched from the sidelines as accusations were leveled at others by those most citizens believe are part of the root of corruption operating in Quartzsite continued to build.

We have seen countless opportunities pass us by while the council focused on things that should not concern them -- and involve themselves in areas that they -- by law -- were not to attempt to manipulate.

Quartzsite has lost ground, lost friends, lost credibility. In short, we've paid a tremendous price to accommodate wrangling that looks like children in a food fight. Time after time they ignore the people, tell citizens to set down and place items on the agenda with the tagline, 'Not for public discussion,' and go back to 'business as usual' which entails doing exactly what they want, when they want, at whatever expense they want.

And they're leaving the taxpayers with the tab for their excesses.

It all boils down to one thing.

We absolutely cannot continue at the current rate of spending. Quartzsite is broke and struggling financially to stay afloat. The HURF funds will be investigated and the town will be ordered to repay the funds the town's accountant /auditor recently warned us would have to be repaid.

And no effort has even been made to discuss the issue with the single exception of my having placed it on the agenda only to have all six council members ignore my request to open the matter for discussion.

The secret meetings and total lack of accountability can stop today.

With new councilmen in place, there will be no more 'secret polls' that result in the council walking into the gallery only to vote unanimously over and over again with little or no discussion on any of the agenda items.

There will be no more silencing the citizens and transparency will once again be restored.

People will not be discouraged from participating in town government or running for office -- and Goldwater Institute will find their suggestions respectfully considered and acted upon.

If you file a FOIA request, you will have a prompt and thorough response. If you request a meeting with the town's manager, you will have it. Requests for a call back will actually result in one -- and from the person with whom you asked to speak.

Citizens will be allowed to speak to issues that concern them without exception -- and there will be an atmosphere of helpfulness and respect at the Town Hall offices.

I hope you vote today with Quartzsite's future in mind.

I know I will.

I'm Ed Foster, Mayor of Quartzsite



The Quartzsite Election! 

With the many challenges facing Quartzsite this election, it's important to keep our eyes on the ball... What are the questions?

March 3, 2011 -- QUARTZSITE, ARIZONA -- Are we going to continue to balance our budget with a credit card?

Are we going to continue to let our town be run by unelected officials?

Are we going to continue to deny public comment to public issues at council meetings?

We have to elect people that are dedicated to rectifying these issues within the community. As evidenced by the current issues with our town's officials, we cannot allow the current government to continue running Quartzsite.

We've got a Town Manager that does not believe in transparent government and will not allow discussion of those issues important to our constituents. FOIA requests are often ignored altogether.

We have a police chief that continues to intimidate and bully those who are running for office in spite of the fact that on numerous occasions the illegality of his actions have been pointed out to him, citing the laws currently on Arizona's books. ARS 41-772 explains the Prohibition and Protection of Political Activity that prohibit such activities on the part of a town's employees -- such actions as are frequently seen in Quartzsite.

This cannot be continued. No one on duty, in uniform can speak in public on any issue. Instead, you have to take off the uniform and cannot introduce yourself as a town employee. You are prohibited from utilizing your public office -- whatever that may be -- and cannot involve yourself in politics in any capacity as anything other than a single, individual citizen.

The Goldwater Institute was invited, by a local businessman, to review his situation when he was prohibited from running for office because the town's representatives had saddled him with a bill he believes he does not owe. There were three adversely effected candidates: Lloyd, Bennett and Roth.

Goldwater Institute determined that the law we have on the books is illegal as the State of Arizona holds the official capacity to determine eligibility of an individual to run for office and it is delineated in ARS 9-232. This is something I had previously pointed out -- and I tried to convince the council to reconsider their position in this matter.

When Goldwater then addressed the issue, it should have been promptly and properly handled.

Instead, the council voted to take no action on the Goldwater letter. The Goldwater Institute's interest in Quartzsite is not something that the council should have ever sought to ignore. Instead, they should have swiftly moved to correct the error Goldwater was gracious enough to point out as 'incorrect.'

In light of the town's decision to refuse to respond to the Goldwater Institute, the Goldwater Institute has now notified the Arizona Attorney General of the actions of Quartzsite's errant council.  Letter Here.

I am going to place this, again, on the agenda at our next council meeting and point out the illegal ordinance on our books.

Under ARS statute, if an elected official does an illegal act that a reasonable person would understand to be illegal, they are then personally responsible for any financial liability.

In short, they are personally liable for their actions and their personal assets are at stake.

Again, we have a situation in Quartzsite that is not conducive to an environment in which business can thrive and people can be proud of their town.

Let's take this opportunity to do something about it. Make sure your vote counts and mark your ballot completely on Tuesday.

If you have questions, call for additional information [or a sample ballot] at 928.785-6318.

I'm Ed Foster, Mayor

Yes, the rules apply to Quartzsite!

With Quartzsite's reputation for political wrangling and serving up something 'less -than-the-truth' to citizens and voters alike, it appears we need to remind the 'status quo' that there's an easy solution to this dilemma -- it's called telling the truth.

January 17, 2010 -- QUARTZSITE, ARIZONA -- When the citizens lose faith in their government, it is a tragedy for all concerned.

And when we can only stand by and watch while the problem is exacerbated by an abject refusal to tell the truth in spite of the evidence readily visible to all that indicates there are many and varied problems pertaining to issues of trust, then nothing short of a  thorough review of all of the facts available is in order.

Quartzsite is known throughout the State of Arizona for being a difficult municipality, full of angst and unprofessional conduct.

Many times, the council meetings themselves dissolve into pandemonium, further lowering the opinions the people hold of their elected officials.

Most towns do not have the problems Quartzsite seems to embrace. There is a 'right' to all of this -- and right is not determined solely by which seat you are setting in, or which side of the wall you occupy. Right is defined here and is in a league of its own.

The Town of Quartzsite is frequently accused of being corrupt. You will find corruption defined here.  Corruption is defined as the antithesis of good governance.
 
Open government is necessary -- as is a free and accurate press -- to maintain positive, effective and honest government. This has been true throughout the centuries as people have sought to maintain a proper relationship between the people and the government that would represent them.

There is nothing wrong or evil in seeking to keep the government transparent, honest and open.

The budget -- and all other financial reports -- are to be a matter of record and available to our citizenry for review.

If the Town of Quartzsite has been borrowing from the HURF fund for operating capital, our elected officials need to admit that fact and invite public discourse concerning how this occurred, how these funds were spent and how they will ultimately be repaid -- as they must be -- before we are penalized for these activities.

Yes, friends, the borrowing of $2.7 million dollars from the HURF fund was improper. And to make no effort to repay those funds is also improper. Perhaps worse, we don't know how those funds were allocated or how they were ultimately used.

And yes, it was grossly improper for the Town Manager, Alex Taft, to attempt to mislead those questioning the financial status of Quartzsite by transferring HURF balances into the Water and Sewer fund so that the general fund would appear to show a surplus, causing the Town to appear solvent when it wasn't -- and allowing the use of these funds for whatever they might now deem necessary -- and, as if that weren't bad enough, the true financial status of the Town of Quartzsite would continue to be concealed from the people.

And, yes, there has been some conversation about the financial condition of several of our councilpeople.

While it should go without saying, it appears that this reminder is important for Quartzsite's officials as it is crucial that elected people do not bring bad financial habits to bear on the handling of the public's money.

Who is really running Quartzsite?

One thing is certain -- certainly many things pertinent to this issue are being hidden from view.

At one point, I made a FOIA request to view the [electronic mail] e-mails sent and received by Town Manager Alexandra Taft.

Ultimately, the stack I received was nowhere close to the stack I requested and subsequently viewed sitting on a Town Hall desk. The stack went from something near 16-18" down to 3".

Why wasn't I allowed to view all of these e-mails?  Who is hiding what documents and why?

In an honest and open government, there is no reason for such juggling of the public's property. According to the law, any and all such documentation is to be provided upon demand as upheld by the courts when the FOIA laws were created and subsequently adopted.

Building Inspector Al Johnson was seen taking a trunkload of documents from Town Hall and, when questioned, the town's officials indicated that he was hauling them to California to be recycled.

As anyone in Quartzsite knows, there's a recycling bin less than two blocks from the Town Hall property.

For what possible reason would the town's building inspector be moving these documents? Also of vast interest to investigators is that these documents were removed from Town Hall while the person legally responsible for them -- the Town's Clerk, Karen Norris -- happened to be out of town.

As you can see, the problems plaguing Quartzsite's town officials are largely the fault of Quartzsite's town officials and not the perceived 'trouble makers' that have been pointing out these many and varied discrepancies and indiscretions that point to -- you guessed it -- accusations of corruption!

Whatever has happened in the past, the people of Quartzsite are demanding -- and deserve -- an open and honest governmental body which will respond to the will of the people and not seek to quash public discourse, public enlightenment, public accountability.

Blaming past employees has become 'status quo' for Quartzsite's officials -- and for members of the audience to stand and berate those who have worked here before while excusing those who have held the same steady corrupt course is an absurdity of the highest sort.
 
Which brings us to another question -- Why is it so many people are absolutely convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is an unseen 'third party' running Quartzsite?

If so, who is running Quartzsite? Could it be the one so often publicly blamed for the town's current 'insolvent' status?

Remember when we first used those words and we were first admonished and then accused of lying by Ms. Taft?

Let the lies end. Leave the excuses behind. We need to know where we stand so that we can budget for the future and correct the indiscretions of the past.

The time has come for open government -- and open books -- in Quartzsite.

I'm Ed Foster, Mayor

Bell California has nothing on Quartzsite!

Amidst concerns over a projected deficit, our Town Manager told the council and our citizens that the town actually had a 'surplus' for the year. When the audit was complete, the truth was that there is at least a $1.4 million deficit that was then borrowed from the HURF funds, which now total $2.7 million deficit in monies borrowed from the HURF fund.

January 03, 2010 -- QUARTZSITE, ARIZONA -- While the battles continue to rage in Quartzsite, we can only watch as the parallels between this municipality and the one in Bell, California, continue to be drawn.

Bell's administration, for instance, has been attempting to avoid audits -- as has Quartzsite's administration -- almost as vehemently as they resist efforts to FOIA any information -- and Quartzsite is known for exactly the same tactics.

When the audit of Bell was allowed to occur and the numbers were finally tallied, we were surprised to discover that Bell has actually done a bit better than Quartzsite, since they are only $2.2 million in total debt.

Quartzsite, we learned December 28, 2010, is over $2.7 million in debt -- and that figure reflects only the monies owed to the HURF fund, which is supposed to be utilized only for road related expenses.

While this, in and of itself is an atrocity, it is even more egregious because I and others asked -- repeatedly -- about the true financial status of the town, only to be told by our Town Manager that there is 'no problem' and that we were in 'fine' condition.

How is it that the truth seems to be such an elusive target?

There is only one way to handle issues in a municipal environment. Towns are to be governed according to the will of the people. [The new agenda public comment rules here.] They are to be able to elect their leaders, and work with them accordingly.

The Mayoral position was defined -- specifically -- to be the liaison between the people and their council. The council's efforts to disempower the position of Mayor cannot change the fact that this post has a specific purpose, and that a specific person was elected to that post -- and it was not one of the sitting councilmen who have sought to rescind the powers originally assigned to that post.

The people continue to take their concerns to the proper authority and that authority is the Mayor.

Is it any surprise that the citizens of Quartzsite have repeatedly voiced their opinions and concerns over such issues as nepotism and suspicion that orders are taken -- often seemingly without question -- because of relationships between officials?

Upon inspection of the facts, there does seem to be a consistent failure to properly bid projects and, in situations where competing bids are offered, there is a failure to explain why Quartzsite so frequently chooses companies with significantly higher bids over those who present lower ones.

"Would it hurt the town to allow another company the opportunity once in awhile?" one resident asked, "Especially when there are often tens of thousands of dollars involved in the difference in price in even one of these projects!"

The  battles continue to rage in spite of some of our best efforts to restrain -- and retrain -- some of the authorities in question.

Again, our Town Manager clearly [and frequently] is acting outside the scope of her authority as witnessed by her incurring this huge debt to the HURF fund with no notification -- much less request for permission to borrow said funds -- from the council -- and I remain hopeful that she will submit herself to the League of Cities and Towns and allow herself to benefit from their expertise by taking them up on their efforts to see her become properly trained.

This, in fact, would seem to lend credence to the accusations frequently being leveled in Quartzsite that people are being hired not for their education or professional background but that certain individuals -- unqualified and undereducated -- are being selected to hold positions far beyond their capabilities based upon someone's hidden agenda, rather than properly advertising these positions and selecting the most qualified candidates.

How, in fact, has Al Johnson -- widely known to be related to Town Manager Alexandra Taft -- obtained the various powers now assigned to him? Mr. Johnson is also widely known to be a resident of California and not Arizona, and the Town Code has consistently and specifically prevented out of state residents from holding any paid municipal post.

Upon review of this information, those inquiring have been advised that the Town Code was changed to allow this to take place. But even this excuse leaves four very important questions to unanswered -- when was the Town Code altered, by whom was it altered and by whose authority was this accomplished -- and for what purpose?

Did someone alter the Town Code to specifically allow Mr. Johnson to hold his position? Was this done earlier to accommodate others? If so, how many out-of-state residents are holding positions in Quartzsite's municipal structure -- and why?

It has widely been held that people that are employed in [and collecting a check from[ any Arizona entity must obtain an Arizona Driver's License and declare their residency to be here. Is Mr. Johnson somehow exempt from that law as well?

Mr. Johnson's intent was on clear display recently when his suggested changes to the requirements of the Town Code were widely ridiculed and, thus, were unceremoniously dumped by Johnson himself when a large number of business owners and vendors stepped up to make themselves heard at the town Council meeting held on December 28, 2010.

In actuality, this changed nothing -- Mr. Johnson's intent is still clear. Given the same set of circumstances, which -- if history is any indication, will occur when the vendors are not in Quartzsite to represent themselves en masse -- will again be on display. It is unlikely he will fail a second time to place his will above that of the people once more.

Johnson is currently at loggerheads with several businesses in town, most of whom have not yet relinquished control over their properties in a manner consistent with Johnson's expectations. Where did this man of dubious distinction obtain such broad and far reaching powers? For whom does he really work? If Johnson is not related to Town Manager Alexandra Taft it certainly could not be proven by the history of his actions against certain residents and businesspeople of the town.

We need -- and should want -- to be seen as forward thinking and capable people, working for the betterment of all of our citizens -- not just a select [and politically connected] few. We should not be setting an example of infighting and pettiness, where people openly describe certain acts of certain officials as a 'vendetta' -- which is the way our town manager described an unusual, unadvertised tax burden that was placed on one taxpayer. [Letter regarding this issue HERE.] Of course, it was not enough to simply pursue the tax matter -- instead, certain officials brought the matter forth publicly at a public meeting with no right to do so, and this businessman was [again, publicly] held up as guilty when the matter has not been properly settled before the courts even now.

Another area of great concern are the liberties being taken to rewrite the Town Code to suit the needs of the sitting officials. We must remind them that they are temporary officials and that the existing code is there for a reason.

If every town rewrote their laws every time new officials were elected to office, there would be no continuity of government with which to base the expectations of the citizenry and all of us would be under the control of those 'temporary' seats of power -- an impossible position, at best.

Quartzsite's leaders should be focused on growth and need to put forth a reputation for going that 'extra mile' to make people feel welcome -- so that we can not only survive but thrive in the weeks and months ahead. These are perilous times and it is imperative that people work to support each other, fostering a community built upon professionalism and mutual respect.

Recently, when I spoke at the Citizens Coalition meeting in Quartzsite, there were two full groups of people and standing room only at each of those meetings.

I can tell you that the focus of these businesspeople is the success of this municipality and the success of their businesses here.

I respect and support their position -- and I hope that the council will take steps to do the same.

I'm Ed Foster, Mayor of Quartzsite


No Rate Increases? According to Whom?

Local businessman accused of arbitrarily raising rates -- evidence tells another story

December 12, 2010 -- QUARTZSITE, ARIZONA -- When a local park owner raised rates in accordance with the water and sewer rate increases recently adopted by the town, he found himself accused of raising rates without justification -- and park residents threatened to move from his park believing he had misrepresented the reason for the rate increases.

According to residents -- the information they obtained came from town officials whom, they say, told them there had been no significant rate increases by the town.

What is the truth? This document shows the water and sewer rate increases using the revenue report provided to the town --  according  to the town's own figures. Clearly, these large rate increases -- water rates by 247% and sewer rates by 297% -- placed a larger burden on park and show owners, because they received a larger increases than other customers -- which represent a large percentage of the tax base in Quartzsite.

In fact, business owners throughout the community are complaining that they are literally being driven out of business or out of Quartzsite by huge increases in overhead expenses driven by the town's council officials, while trying to maintain business during an economic downturn unrivaled by anything since America's last depression.

Quartzsite's traveling business base -- its vendors -- are finding it difficult to find businesses able to provide affordable rents and reasonable contracts, citing the rising taxes and unreasonable demands placed upon property owners under the current council.

The research that I have been able to obtain clearly proves that complaints of this kind are more than groundless accusations -- and a comparison study of where we were one year ago in comparison to today is an indication that we must reach a turning point soon if we are to maintain Quartzsite as a popular tourist destination and strong supporter of small business. Quartzsite and places like it have provided a starting point for new small business ventures for many years.

Historically, these businesses eventually grow into larger companies and often become the independent businesses from which successful companies grow. Without a starting point, entrepreneurs are driven into debt early on, often creating a burden that business owners are reluctant to bear.

Already, 50% of most new business endeavors fail the first year, with 92% failing to survive beyond the five year mark. From where, then, is Quartzsite's vending base going to continue to come?

These are questions that must be raised if we are to continue a tradition of the solid business practices that made Quartzsite what it is.

I'm Ed Foster, Mayor

 

No Peace Allowed for Quartzsite's citizens?

Working on putting differences aside is no small feat in Quartzsite

October 22, 2010 -- QUARTZSITE, ARIZONA --'Despite the best efforts of some wonderful, dedicated people, there appears to be no dedication to any 'peacemaking' efforts on the part of the sitting council.

For those that were not able to attend, the League of Cities and Towns came into Quartzsite to facilitate an excellent training session, designed to settle some of the disagreements between the council and those of us who have been trying to point out that some of their actions have been -- well -- unorthodox.

The League of Cities and Towns Director, Ken Stroebeck, and the attorney for the League of Cities and Towns, offered clarification and answered questions pertinent to the applicable rules and regulations that provide direction to those newly elected to office as well as to those not familiar with the rules of procedure.

It was a good meeting and most appropriate, in light of the struggles this council has faced.

Some 11 points were brought forward by Quartzsite's councilmen and Police Chief Gilbert, asking for clarification.

The League's director and attorney were able to offer clear and concise direction -- not just advice -- for how meetings are to be conducted.

It was not news the council members seemed to appreciate hearing.

They learned that the council meetings are to be handled according to the direction of the Mayor. They learned they had no right to attempt to disempower me, as Mayor, and that they could not usurp the powers they had attempted to take from me.

They learned that the police chief cannot arbitrarily take control of the meeting from the Mayor.

Immediately after this meeting, I asked for a meeting with Ms. Alex Taft, Town Manager. Ms. Taft wrote -- in a memo to me -- that there would be no meeting. She indicated that she is not answerable to me.

Then, on the one point that the League's representatives had mentioned concerning not allowing any 'guest' speakers from deviating from the subject at hand, I received a notification from Ms. Taft that this matter will be of concern to her. [It allows the council to report me to the County Attorney -- and then for the County Attorney to fine me $600 per incident if I have allowed speakers from the community to leave the topic at hand and bring up other issues.]

I will be consulting with my attorneys concerning this issue before I can allow speakers during Town Council meetings. But it is only to counter Ms. Taft's warning that I believe they will abuse in order to fine me over some future 'infraction' however real or imagined.

Quite comparable, it seems, to some of the taxation issues that have happened in Quartzsite over the past few years. More on this topic later -- but I am sure it will be of vast interest to many of my readers.

In fact, most people complain that this is more of the same 'Abuses of Power' that we have watched over the past years.

Thursday’s harassment hearing turned out to be another attempt by town government to restrict the use of freedom of speech. It appears that Quartzsite officials have no problem supporting restrictions on freedom of speech," one person stated, "When it involves expressing opinions unfavorable to them."

The Desert Messenger representative, Shanna 'Rain' Goldenbear, charged Jennifer 'Jade' Jones with harassment for comments made on Jones' blog.

Was this a real claim against Jones?  While it now falls to the judge to determine that question, to many onlookers it simply seems that Ms. 'Rain' doesn't appear to appreciate being treated the way she treats others. For months, Ms. 'Rain' has been selectively publishing derogatory letters to the editor, while allowing no one to publish responses to them. When people are accused -- particularly when they are falsely accused -- they should be able to defend themselves.

I testified that public figures 'have to smile and take it' when unfavorable comments are made about them. Ms. 'Rain' has allowed everyone to denigrate others in her 'paper,' but she doesn’t appear to appreciate the same treatment she allows in her forum.

I maintain my original position -- public figures must expect a certain amount of public criticism. They should be able to handle minor abuses or stop placing themselves at the center of public attention.

What was very interesting about the procedures involving this case was the stunning evidence of involvement in this case by the Town Manager Alex Taft.

When Ms. 'Rain' recognized late in the hearing that she had failed to bring portions of her documentation to the courtroom, Alex Taft left the courtroom [and a large group of the town's councilpeople along with Quartzsite Police Chief Jeff Gilbert, all of whom were in attendance at this hearing,]  to obtain the documentation then provide it to Ms 'Rain' for inclusion in the case.

It is disconcerting to see the level of involvement of these councilpeople and Ms. Alex Taft.

If this was a simple matter of bringing papers from town hall to support Ms. 'Rain's' case, 'Rain' apparently didn’t have copies of police reports she required -- and yet these were supplied to her during the presentation of her case by Town Manager Alex Taft.

If you -- as a citizen -- were involved in a court case, do you think the Town's officials would all stop what they are doing to appear on your behalf in a case in which they [supposedly] have no involvement?

The question is this -- was a proper document request filed for these papers or was this in explicit support of the charge against Ms. Jones?

Why didn't Ms. 'Rain' have to obtain a document request as has become standard procedure for any and all document requests in the town of Quartzsite for nearly ALL residents?

This is exactly the kind of abuse of power for political purposes that need to be eliminated in Quartzsite.

These officials have called me 'evil' for questioning this kind of behavior. They want people to accept the fact that they run this town the way they see fit -- and they don’t want anyone questioning how they do it.

And it amazes me to see to what lengths they will go to preserve their power.

Rest assured, this will not stop others from holding them to a higher standard of behavior--  nor will it further the efforts of the council in attempting to keep their positions.

It's disconcerting to watch what is happening to Quartzsite and to the great citizens that make this town their home.

I'm Ed Foster, Mayor

 

Is Quartzsite among those at the center of the storm?

Some of the biggest organizations in the country are checking out the Mineshaft

October 15, 2010 -- QUARTZSITE, ARIZONA -- 'Thanks to the Internet, some of the largest organizations in the country are following what's happening with Quartzsite's political issues. We have followers from colleges, anti-corruption organizations, and some of the largest media groups, both mainstream and alternative, both Internet and public.

While it's true that Quartzsite is a small community, its problems have reached far beyond Quartzsite and even farther than the State of Arizona. I believe this is primarily because of the methods utilized by those that were hoping there would never be a 'changing of the guard' in Quartzsite.

There should always be room for political discourse, and no one should ever attempt to destroy their political rivals -- yet there is reason to believe that this is what's happening here. Should lying about political groups be tolerated? Should misrepresenting any group's activities be allowed to occur? When private citizens form groups in order to be heard, should they be penalized for their activities?

Should innocent citizens be maligned for being politically active?

If statements are made from the Council seats that are designed to 'plant' information in the minds of people watching, should they go unquestioned?

Sheriff Arpaio seems to find himself in similar straits. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

What are your thoughts? What should happen if the reports are proven correct?

 

Quartzsite to lose the airport at Main Event?  If the Town of Quartzsite succeeds...

Quartzsite resident Richard Oldham again under fire as town attacks airport property

October 5, 2010 -- QUARTZSITE, ARIZONA -- 'The ownership of the road property in question that they say effects the airport has not been established." -- Richard Oldham, Property Owner

The Main Event property developed over twenty years ago in Quartzsite has included the airport there for that entire time.

Howard and Marilyn Armstrong donated the properties now in question when they left Quartzsite. The property that encompasses the airport was sold to Oldham in 2005 by Norman McGuinness. McGuinness also recently sold Oldham more property running the length of the airport to better accommodate the fliers coming to Quartzsite from around the country.

Oldham had requested the town allow the airport to be advertised as an 'emergency landing site' last year -- a move the town approved at an open meeting. But the airport property has been consistently utilized throughout the history of the community and was there before the town was incorporated, allowing it protections under Arizona's Proposition 207 which protects the property rights of landowners.

Further, airport properties are considered desirable as 'green' entities that offer a service to the community without the problems industrial properties commonly bring.

Oldham's airport issue promises to be a ' hot button' issue for months to come and carries with it a potential liability the town should carefully consider with proper legal representation. Walsma, having once been employed as an attorney by Oldham, is conflicted and cannot advise the town in areas involving Oldham.

The airport property has been repeatedly visited by Town of Quartzsite employee Al Johnson, and Johnson was there on October 4, 2010, with a Quartzsite police officer, taking pictures and observing the property. At one point, Johnson removed the cover from the electrical box [pedestal] in question and complained about the color of wire inside.

This box does not belong to the town -- it is the property of the Arizona Power Service or APS.


Town employee Al Johnson at the APS owned power box near Oldham's airport.

Al Johnson at the APS owned power box near Oldham's airport.

It has long been rumored that Quartzsite employee Al Johnson is the relative of Quartzsite's Town Manager, Alex Taft. Johnson, still living in California while coming to Quartzsite to do his job, he holds a position that -- again -- was not advertised locally nor, apparently, anywhere else.

Why, we ask, is this allowed to continually occur under the watch of the Quartzsite Town Council?

While Johnson appears to have the necessary credentials to hold the position he's been given,  he has an apparent inability to properly handle [or not handle, as it were] property that does not belong to him -- or the town.

And if Johnson is a relative of Alex Taft, then it is illegal for him to hold the position he does in the hierarchy of the town and all decisions rendered during an improper liaison can be declared void.

Johnson has no credentials which give him permission to tamper with the box on Oldham's property -- or any other APS box, for that matter.

This matter should be under review by those that are now coming in to evaluate some of the Quartzsite council's more 'colorful' decisions of late.

Who should decide?

Generally, many towns have an ethics commission, especially if ethics become an issue. Some utilize state known entities to facilitate oversight on particular issues such as the Goldwater Institute or League of Cities and Towns. Others employ outside assistance where necessary.

One thing is certain -- Quartzsite desperately needs assistance in these areas.


I'm Ed Foster, Mayor

County Board of Supervisors meeting resembles Quartzsite?

Quartzsite's problems aren't the only ones happening in La Paz County

October 4, 2010 -- PARKER, ARIZONA -- 'We want answers now.'

The concerns of La Paz County citizens was apparent Tuesday as unhappy constituents lined the Board of Supervisors chamber. Escalating voices and displays of tempers -- including that of County Administrator Dan Field -- were apparent.

At one point in the meeting, when a Deputy stood to comment, Field immediately asked the officer if he was 'on the clock.' Arpaio's Sheriff's Office is currently under fire for being improperly managed. Click to View.

"Are we now changing the rules to accommodate Field?"one witness asked. "Who is this guy -- he was fired from La Paz County as the attorney and now he's been hired back as Administrator and our county is in the worst shape it's ever been!" Salaries of municipal attorneys throughout the nation are being questioned as citizens face a failing economy and financially strapped municipalities that don't offer the services citizens expect because these monies have been allocated toward what appears to be ever burgeoning salary and benefit packages for municipal officials.

As County Sheriff Don Lowry is facing recall, the question of whether or not he is refusing to take calls from citizens in Quartzsite has become a key factor in the recall effort.

Quartzsite Police Chief Jeff Gilbert appeared to defend Lowry saying Lowry responded to his requests for assistance. This, however, is not the question -- people in Quartzsite pay for services of the County Sheriff and have a right to expect that they would respond in certain situations.

Lowry has not answered the question directly, instead offering that he would be willing to take over the responsibilities of the Quartzsite Police Department via the La Paz County Office of the Sheriff if that becomes necessary.

Is the Sky the Limit in Small Town Corruption?

The Sky Falls in Bell, California as Corrupt Officials Are Arrested

September 21, 2010 -- BELL, CALIFORNIA -- 'Many More Municipalities Soon to Follow Suit' says Brown

The 'misappropriation' of $5 Million dollars in public funds has resulted in all of Bell's officials -- the councilmen as well as the Town Manager -- were arrested today as allegations concerning fiscal irresponsibility and malfeasance lead to an investigation by Attorney General Jerry Brown. Focusing on the pay records of local officials and a Town Manager that Brown said 'caused him to review what statutes had been violated,' Brown stated: "We quickly concluded  that officials violated their trust -- their fiduciary obligations. They've engaged in waste of public funds and they violated their own city charter which says that salaries must be  commensurate with the work to be performed."

"They didn't do any of that and based on that our actions are civil fraud and waste of public assets and I intend to get as much of that money returned and therefore get as much of their future pensions stopped and rolled back. That is civil," Brown stated. "The District Attorney is going by the way of criminal indictment. He's doing his thing based on criminal statute. I am proceeding under the  authority of civil law that bans that kind of activity these officials have engaged in."

CNN's reporter further denigrated Bell's officials for the pensions violations that occurred in Bell, the financial burden for which reaches far beyond each town and is a large portion of the fees paid for municipal expenses throughout the state.

"Anything from the point of illegality whether it was fraud or abuse of public trust, that's the point where their salaries will be rolled back," Brown said. "But I'm not stopping with Bell. I have subpoenas out for the City of Vernon, I have a further investigation looking at salaries in excess of $300,000 in dozens of other cities throughout California -- it's an outrage what happened in Bell but there are smaller outrages in many other communities I think we ought to reign this stuff in."

Former Bell City Manager Robert Rizzo was pictured being lead away in handcuffs from his home in Huntington Beach today as an investigation targeted him and all Bell's sitting councilmen for crimes ranging the gamut as corruption cases go -- misappropriation of public funds, conflict of interest,  falsification of public records by an official custodian among others.

Rizzo is accused of conspiring to set his own salary and he had help from his assistant and six of the sitting councilmen. Those six current councilmen were arrested this morning as well as one former member of the council along with Rizzo and his assistant.

"Rizzo, acting as the unelected and unaccountable czar of the City of Bell secretly set his own salary, he misappropriated substantial pay and benefits by increasing each of them through a series of actions that no one approved of and few -- if anyone -- knew about."    Quote from CNN Reporter

"They are asking for $3.2 million in bail money and -- if the embattled Town Manager is able to come up with the money, they intend to do an investigation to see how he came up with the money. By all accounts, Rizzo may be under investigation and in jail for some time unless he can come up with $3.2 million that isn't tied to his scheme -- his alleged scheme," the reporter said.

Attorney General Jerry Brown concluded, "They not only give themselves huge salaries that are paid for by others -- that's bad enough. But then they have these pensions that have to be paid for by all citizens of California for example." We are going to amend the situation -- Rizzo for instance is set to receive $600,000 per year for the rest of his life, basically -- there's a move to change that."

The problems facing Bell are truly reminiscent of the problems facing Quartzsite in that the Bell, California issues happened because the public was no longer allowed to see what was happening within the city government.

A Town Manager, in this case Mr. Rizzo, is an employee of the people -- not a self-appointed king, able to do whatever he wished.

Our councilpeople hire the Town Manager -- and the Town Manager is to be overseen by the Town Council.

If this fails to happen, then accountability has failed to occur.

What happened in Bell could happen anywhere. There are  more than a few similarities to what is happening in Quartzsite. The people here no longer feel that they and their interests are represented by the existing officials.

It is for this reason that the recalls are proceeding, apparently with great fervor. While only 160 signatures were required, all of them received significantly greater than that amount in recall signatures.

I am very disappointed that our councilmen have failed to respond to the wishes of their constituents.

I know that we can build a solid foundation with responsibility in government on our local level and look forward to having a sound council in the future.

I'm Ed Foster, Mayor

Simple Questions, Simple Answers

The Purpose of a Mayor

September 14, 2010 -- I want my constituents to know that in spite of the emotional displays that occurred Tuesday evening, this town -- this situation -- is not beyond hope, nor that far from neutral territory. Certainly there is an effort being made to convince you, though, that that is the situation.

Freedom of speech -- and the freedom of speech in public meetings -- has been upheld by the Supreme Court of Arizona. They have ruled that  a person could express their opinion without fear of retribution. Their position is that the fear of retribution would have the effect of restricting free speech.

When Vice Mayor Barbara Cowell ordered the Chief of Police to remove Resident Ron Burch, I guess she didn’t realize that she would be guilty of the same crime of which the ethics committee was accusing the Mayor --  depriving a citizen of his right to freedom of speech. A follow-through on this directive would have put the town in danger of yet another lawsuit.

The actions of the Chief of Police as well as the council members have already exposed this community to numerous lawsuits.

Early in my term of office, I attempted to change the law restricting who could run for office. This restriction resulted in three persons being denied the right to file papers to run for the last election and is already causing lawsuits to be prepared. Chief Gilbert's actions are also resulting in more lawsuits either pending or being prepared.

Currently, this has not resulted in any disciplinary action on the part of the council -- rather they took the Chief’s complaint about the Mayor to the limit of passing 'a resolution of censure.' Their claims of protecting the community from lawsuits ring rather hollow and really paints the action of the council as a politically motivated endeavor.

The council should follow the example the Mayor has set and sit quietly, listening when when citizens express opinions they don’t like. Their calls of “point of order” while interrupting people speaking from the podium are more that impolite -- they are an effort to restrict free speech.

First, point of order is to be used after everyone has had a chance to speak to the issue. It is not to be used to cut off debate and the audience is not allowed to call this from the floor.

It is time that Quartzsite's officials recognize that they are there to accommodate the voters and they are to represent their constituents who placed them into office to represent the body of people that make up the town's citizenry.

Instead, it's long been thought that Quartzsite operates as though these 'officials' are a force unto themselves -- that they are somehow 'above reproach' and that they should not be questioned.

In Bell, California, the situation was so grievous that the state is now changing the rules and regulations so that no other municipality should fall under the stern rule of just two or three people while the councilmen look on, unwilling to hold to any level of accountability nor to subject their leadership to the same.

The 40-page document HERE explains not only our rights but our responsibilities as citizens -- and addresses the critical issues facing Quartzsite today. Finally, the walls have to come down. I was elected  because the citizens -- the majority of citizens in Quartzsite -- supported my candidacy because they felt shut out -- felt as though their voices were unwelcome and were not to be heard. Finally, they elected me because I promised there would be transparency and accountability in their local government.

It is this transparency that I am working to implement today -- in spite of the tremendous opposition I am currently encountering.

There are simple answers to the questions I am asking, and I have vowed that I will continue working for the right to review our current financial status. But I want you to know that the council is blocking every effort to allow me to do so -- and that is what has contributed to the current level of dissention many of you witnessed at Tuesday's council meeting.

Immediately upon my election when I attempted to see these records, the council passed a motion preventing me from seeing these records or asking for a report from the town's accounting firm, outlining our financial condition.

You will remember that in recent history the town manager indicated that the level of financial difficulty in Quartzsite warranted the town increase water and sewer rates -- promptly followed by 'Proposition 100' that would allow them to have 'immediate access' to these funds.

The people voted 'No!' on this issue and it failed outright.

So -- now -- the town has obtained $ 1 million dollars borrowed against the town's water system. This water system was paid for many years ago. The population of Quartzsite is anything BUT burgeoning -- in fact, little or no growth whatsoever is expected. Why and how were these funds obtained -- and what are they being used for? How are they being spent? My questions have been blocked and I am forbidden from obtaining this information by the six sitting members of the council acting in unison with the town manager.

I can tell you there are many rumors concerning these funds -- and I will continue searching for the truth. But this is one area of contention -- and they are effectively preventing me from doing my job under the current restrictions they've imposed.

To simplify this issue, I will say this:

Public offices are necessary for the benefit of the public. Public servants are  so named because they are said to be working for the 'public good.' When corruption occurs, this equation  simply shifts and public officials begin working for 'private gain' instead of serving the greater good.

Corruption is carefully spelled out on page 13 of the above mentioned document and you will likely immediately recognize several of these areas as 'problematic' in Quartzsite. Among them are such items as bribery, extortion, influence peddling and fraud. Sometimes you will hear the term 'empire building.' This is where people use their positions to take control of virtually everything to which they can gain access.

They typically close doors against everyone outside their core groups -- and do not hire outsiders.

Not only does the governing body damage the whole in obvious ways -- taking monies that should have been allocated for the good of the public and for facilitating public endeavors, the community suffers in other ways. There is a high level of incompetence that becomes a stone wall of indifference and inaccessibility. Communications can become virtually non-existent. The group in charge no longer responds to their constituents or the desire of the whole -- instead, they are loyal only to each other, because that is where the 'power seat' exists.

Again, outsiders need not apply. Should an outsider be elected, all efforts to keep them from accessing key areas of information must become the priority.

A great deal of effort must now go into concealing the true nature of the group -- and to avoiding detection. Time, energy, planning -- all are required elements that must be dedicated to maintaining the control that's been established. Corruption necessitates documents be withheld and 'altered' according to need -- so all transparency requirements are forfeited. Again, these are time-consuming tasks. They -- and not the 'jobs' for which the individual was originally hired -- become the focus and the time allocated to them restricts the level and quality of the work they should be doing -- and this can have a negative effect on all aspects of the function of government, especially when there can be many individuals that are so engaged.

Quartzsite's officials have repeatedly blamed the fact that I have been involved in facilitating recalls. They have said that each recall election costs in the neighborhood of $7,000.00 and blamed this for their dissatisfaction with my election to the position of Mayor.

However, when they discovered I had been elected, they tripled the amount of money allocated to Pamela Walsma from about $33,000.00 per year to $ 100,000.00. Interestingly, this month, Ms. Walsma received $ 15,000.00 for one month's salary alone. Thus, at the current rate of spending, Ms. Walsma will receive $ 180,000.00 for just one year's service. This is a ridiculously exorbitant sum for a municipality of Quartzsite's size to be spending for the services of an attorney -- and particularly for the services of a virtually untrained municipal attorney. This is what a larger city or town would pay to an attorney that has specialized in this area of law for approximately 20 years.

Ms. Walsma, on the other hand, is unskilled in this area of law and has actually been soliciting the advice of other attorneys via the use of of online message boards. She was told by several attorneys that this 'Ad Hoc' effort was unenforceable and futile. Yet she has received $ 15,000.00 and counting for facilitating this endeavor.

One of the statements by one of our councilmen made during Tuesday's meeting in reference to this fact [it was brought up during the meeting] would lead one to believe that the council did not know about Walsma's essentially improper use of online message boards.

Again, bearing the $ 7,000.00 recall figure in mind, consider this. When Bennett took office and began to review [as I did] the town's financial position, he immediately recognized that having $ 300,000.00 to $ 400,000.00 allocated for the town's 'engineering fees' was outrageously improper. So Bennett asked for and received guidance from other municipalities concerning the 'typical and reasonable' spending of funds for 'engineering' and discovered that a good 'rule of thumb' for a town the size of Quartzsite should be in the range of $ 50,000.00.

By whose authority were these hundreds of thousands more being spent? How and why did we obtain the services of Walsma when there were other -- more skilled [and experienced] -- attorneys vying for the position for a great deal less?                         

Actions like these are frequently the result of corruption and you -- the people -- are entitled to answers.

If Quartzsite's officials are not concealing corruption, then perhaps they will see that withholding valid information from their constituents gives the appearance of corruption and should therefore be eliminated.

It's time that these outrageous levels of spending stop and Quartzsite -- like other cities and towns in Arizona -- begin 'living within their means.'

After all, 'transparency' takes many forms.

I'm Ed Foster, Mayor of Quartzsite

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


 

---

---

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

• ELECTION FRAUD INVESTIGATIONS
• AUDIT ARIZONA
• THE INVESTIGATIONS FUND
• ETHICS LAW PUBLICATIONS
• LOCAL GOVERNMENT ETHICS LAW
• SUNSHINE LAW
• FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT
• CITIZENSCOALITIONONL.INE.COM
• PUBLIC INTEREST JOURNALISM
• FIRST AMENDMENT COALITION
• OPEN GOVERNMENT GUIDE
• CITIZENS UNITED
• FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

 

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
 

Related resources - Key Information

• ELECTION FRAUD INVESTIGATIONS
• AUDIT ARIZONA
• ETHICS LAW PUBLICATIONS
• LOCAL GOVERNMENT ETHICS LAW
• SUNSHINE LAW
• SALARIES OF MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS QUESTIONED
  
  
  
  
  

• Rogue Government
  What Really Happened
  Deadline Live
  Cryptogon
  Vigilant Citizen
  Raw Story
  Dprogram
  Citizens for Legit Gov
  Information Clearing House
  American Free Press
  Global Research
  The Peoples Voice
  Tom Burghardt
  Uncover The News
  All Gov.
  Media Monarchy
  Information Liberation
  TPM Muckraker
  Mike Chambers
  F. William Engdahl
  Tony Cartalucci
  Cryptome
  Narco News
  Media Matters
  Uruknet
  Corbett Report
  Common Dreams
  Alternet
  Antiwar
  Aftermath News
  Steve Quayle
  Wayne Madsen
  Truth Out
  Lew Rockwell
  Dissident Voice
  Morph City
  Sovereign Independent
  Before It's News
  News With Views
  Jeff Rense
  Strike The Root
  Peter Chamberlin
  Michael Snyder
  Old Thinker News
  Activist Post
  Common Dreams
  Empire Burlesque
  CNS News
  Electric Politics
  Stop The Lie
  Amy de Miceli
  Crooks and Liars
  Rumor Mill News
  Revolt Of The Plebs
  The Resident
  Aangirfan
  OpEDNews
  The Brad Blog
  Conspiracy Archive
  Foreign Policy Journal
  Counter Punch
  August Review
  Buzzflash
  Truth Is Treason
  Reason
  Real News Network
  VOA News
  Huffington Post
  World Net Daily
  Drudge Report
  Newsmax
  Boing Boing
  Short News
  Small Government Times
  Capitol Hill Blue
  Global Post
  The Blotch
  Wide Awake News
  Intel Hub
  Amped Status
  NewsWires
  Breaking News
  Yahoo!-Top Headlines
  Yahoo!-Full Coverage
  AP-National News
  UPI
  Reuters
  WorldNews.com
  7am.com
  1st Headlines
  My Way - News
  Ananova.com
  Lycos News - Breaking
  CNews - Top News
  Sky News
  Guardian Unlimited
  Newswire - Salon.com
  NewsNow.co.uk
  news-spider.com
  Community News Aggregators
  Reddit
  Digg
  Business / Economics
  Gold & Silver Prices
  Seeking Alpha
  Naked Capitalism
  Market Watch
  Bloomberg
  Wall Street Journal
  RTT News
  CNN Money
  Forbes
  Business Week
  Market Oracle
  Money Morning
  My Budget 360
  The Street
  Shadow Stats
  Economist
  Financial Times
  Fortune Magazine
  Kitco
  Gold Eagle
  Max Keiser
  321 Gold
  Stock Charts
  Zero Hedge
  Washingtons's Blog
  The Daily Reckoning
  Energy Business Review
  Milplex / Intel / Defense
  Public Intelligence
  Danger Room
  Washington Technology
  Defense Industry Daily
  Global Security
  Geopolitical Monitor
  Global Intelligence Report
  Defense Link
  Stratfor
  Space War
  Jane's
  Defense Tech
  Strategy Page
  Military Info Tech
  Health & Environment
  Natural News
  Prevent Disease
  Health Wyze
  Major US Newspapers
  New York Times
  New York Post
  New York Daily News
  Washington Post
  Washington Times
  L.A. Times
  USA Today
  Science / Tech News
  Wired
  Sites And Blogs
  Blast Magazine
  PHYSorg
  Science Daily
  Popular Science
  Tech Eye
  Engadget
  New Scientist
  DVice
  Technovelgy
  Singularity Hub
  H+ Magazine
  Science Magazine
  Seed Magazine
  CBR Online
  Science News
  SlashDot
  Scientific American
  Spectrum IEEE
  Technology Review
  io9
  ZD Net
  Technology News
  The Register
  Tech News World