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Welcome, Friends ~

The community of Quartzsite is facing an interesting time.

It was US that warned Quartzsite's citizens that they were being lied to concerning what's happening in -- and to -- our town.

Today, to listen to the deluge of mistruths, misrepresentations and outright lies being spouted from the bench is to listen to a group of people working to spin their own activities into a web of deception rivaled only by the one that brought us to the situation we face today -- the 'breaking point.'

However, all is not lost. There is an easy way to tell the difference between what you're seeing and what you are being told. It's called discernment.

It necessitates that you listen to them and then ask for the documentation to 'back up' their rhetoric. In most cases, you will discover that with the liar it's not there at all -- though, at times, they will toss out a volume of confusing statistics hoping to throw you off their trail.

No one, ever, has had to HIDE BEHIND THE TRUTH. If they're hiding, they're lying -- you can bank on it.

Why would anyone do this? There are generally two reasons: Money and Power. I don't know where the monies that are missing have gone -- but they are, indeed, gone. The louder the people work to keep us from searching the records, the more you can understand about who they are and what they've been up to, and that 'turning over those records' would likely prove it.

In Quartzsite, it's plain for the discerning eye to see that they allow no one that's not part of their group to hold positions inside their monopoly. They won't even allow anyone that's not part of their group to even know when there's an opening on one of their committees -- these groups are closed to anyone not part of their back room organizations.

They begrudgingly tolerate anyone with the background to research the issues they're so afraid to have opened up to public scrutiny -- and they work diligently to prevent them from obtaining the information that they -- as citizens -- are entitled to have!

This isn't new, folks -- this reads like a 'how-to' manual for private clubs, and this private club is working hard to keep out anyone they perceive not to 'be on their team.' You might ask yourself just what team that is -- and what its goal might be.

After all -- They're funding it with your money.

And if their 'cards aren't on the table' for you to see then where are they? And why?

At the last council meeting, I asked a simple question: Why don't we allow citizens to know when there is an opening on one of our boards?

And if you were there you saw what they did -- they absolutely stonewalled me. They refused to even contemplate the idea of allowing any 'regular' citizens the right to sit on one of 'their' panels.

I hear comments like these daily: "When will they behave as adults would do and stop treating Quartzsite like it's their private domain? It doesn't belong to them."

And, "If they want to have a private club where they call all the shots, they're welcome to do that -- on their own dime, of course!"

I am working diligently on this issue. But until there is a turnaround, I would suggest that you start asking them for proof of what it is they're accusing others of doing. Talk is cheap -- especially when you have a microphone and an audience.

For Instance -- I challenge Mr. Winslow to identify the 'three women' he stated I abused. [I did no such thing, ever.] Of course, a closer inspection of Mr. Winslow's comments indicated that not only did I abuse three women but that he himself witnessed it.

And since this imaginary sequence of events transpired in front of Mr. Winslow, he indicated that as he watched this event unfold, he said, the thought occurred to him that 'I was enjoying the abuse of said women.'

And to illustrate to you that this event never happened, Mr. Winslow concludes his diatribe by telling us all the definition of 'a man' and talks at length about how it is the duty of 'a man of character' to defend the 'women and children.' He said it "falls to a man to make hard decisions and take full responsibility for his actions -- to lead by example. He said a man must be prepared to challenge and to correct any actions whether by superiors or by subordinates."

Now I ask you: If this event did indeed transpire in front of Mr. Winslow, the self-described 'man' that he has now publicly professed himself to be -- how is it that he did not come to the aid of said women? That he stood idly by while, he claims, I "attacked three women." In fact, he further stated that I "verbally attacked three women by name calling, shouted intimidation and displaying 'overbearing arrogance," he said -- and he concluded with, "I remember thinking he was actually enjoying his act of moral cowardice."

But, certainly this ill-conceived diatribe from the councilman begs a larger question! How is it, Mr. Winslow, fine, upstanding, moral man that you claim to be, that you would stand idly by and allow such a monstrous display of arrogance and cowardice to occur in your presence without even attempting to intercede?

Of course, the easy answer for Mr. Winslow, if there is any at all, is to just admit that this incident did not happen and that he attempted to use this 'figment of his imagination' to illustrate his point.

And the three women? Had three women, themselves, chosen to tell such a story, they would have by now have been identified, challenged and subpoenaed to present themselves for a legal deposition, simply to prove that this situation never occurred.

It's called 'the truth,' Mr. Winslow, and it's strong enough to stand on its own merit.

These actions are sure to continue to happen until the people of Quartzsite stop tolerating it, stand up for their rights and demand the truth.

The Real Agenda

There is an old adage, authored by Edmund Burke, that says,
"All that's required for evil to triumph is for good men to stand by and do nothing."

The fact is, we are all in this together -- like it or not.

The difficulties that today face Quartzsite are far more critical than who sits at the helm.

Our town of Quartzsite is completely insolvent.

Its coffers are empty. Our budget requirements are unmet with no prospect of a means of having them finally be filled. And we labor under a state that has its own financial woes and cannot afford to bail out small municipalities that have shown no ability to properly manage their fiscal responsibility.

Instead of dealing with the issues at hand, the sitting councilmen -- all but Robert Kelley -- have focused not on the money that's missing but on me, as Mayor, and trying to paint me as a problem.

I am the first duly elected Mayor to hold office since August of 2008 when Steve Bennett resigned.

I have the background and training to turn this situation around: but since taking office I've been prevented from obtaining my keys, my office and my badge. I've been prohibited from reviewing our bank records and any documentation that shows what has happened to the monies allocated Quartzsite.

And though everyone watched Attorney Stephen Shadle advise our Town Manager, Ms. Alex Taft, to provide the requested documentation to me, when I arrived the following morning at Town Hall to review those elusive records, I was verbally assaulted by Councilman Winslow who -- using profanity -- told me to leave Town Hall, that I have no business there.

I have been maligned without any proof whatsoever that I have misspoken.

And the allegations that the information I am after is personal or restricted -- I can assure you this information is readily accessible at any other town in the State of Arizona. There are vast sums of money that have been moved from the town's account into two other accounts. All I am asking for is 1. information pertinent to the ownership of these accounts and, 2. the reason these funds were moved into them.

Why are our own councilmen protecting this information?

Repeatedly, at Quartzsite's council meetings we hear the words, "What is it you're trying to hide?"

And at Tuesday's council meeting, Quartzsite officials lined the front rows with people holding little paddles with the word 'bully' on them that they were told to hold up at some previously established point in the meeting.

Of course, they created such a 'point' when Councilman Joe Winslow read a prepared statement condemning me for various and vague infractions that he never did clarify as well as accusations that were absolutely not based upon any truth whatsoever -- and then wrapping up by asking for my resignation.

Of course, my supporters reacted negatively to this ridiculous suggestion, and at that point the members of this small 'group' held up their little 'bully paddles.'

To try to accuse me -- or my supporters -- of bullying is to do a great disservice to those people for whom bullying is truly an issue.

I am sure Sympatico would condemn this misuse of the term as well as the efforts to use their program, their reputation and their well-intentioned announcement to harangue and criticize a new Mayor who has done nothing more than ask for the financial documentation being hidden from public view.

It is interesting to note that the person who stood to make this announcement would never have been allowed to make such a lengthy announcement under the rules of the council before I became Mayor. In fact, no one -- and the videotapes to prove this issue exist yet today -- anyone that attempted to criticize the acting Mayor or the council were promptly forced to step down under threat of arrest.

In fact, we have several lawsuit now currently underway because of what many called 'Free Speech' abuses under the council rules prior to my election.

How is it that this same group would seek to brand me a bully?

All I have done that has caused me to be so soundly criticized is to request the records -- due me as Mayor -- for review of the financial condition of the Town of Quartzsite so that I can begin to ascertain what has brought us to this level of insolvency -- and take steps to rectify this situation so that we can all go forward.

Though I have been accused of continuing as Director of the Citizen's Coalition in Quartzsite, I am not. In fact, even before the Council Meeting during which Winslow requested I resign, Dean Taylor took over as the interim Director.

This small group of people initially gathered because the allegations of disenfranchisement on the part of Quartzsite's citizenry were so widespread as to actually create concern.

It's a small group of people who gathered regularly, the meetings are open, the people are friendly and community minded. To hear Winslow try to paint them as anything other than a group of concerned citizens is absurd.

Citizen Coalition meetings are taped -- all of them. The statements made pertinent to the Citizen's Coalition were not only unkind -- they were completely untrue. This is an organization that works to educate and inform, assist people in obtaining technologically useful tools [PCs, Laptops, Digital Cameras and Video units, etc.] and teaches them how to use them.

Besides making these items available at discount prices, it works as a clearinghouse for putting used equipment to good use: and it brings people -- particularly seniors -- into the technologically savvy age in which we live.

We need our older people -- people whose lives are rich with experience and historical information and ideas -- people with something constructive to offer -- to participate in our elective processes and to educate our young people.

Together we can build Quartzsite back into the unique and exciting tourist destination is was once known to be.

The councilmen's anger is almost tangible. I want them to know that I, too, am very disheartened that this situation is what it is. I rue the fact that I must continue to contact various officials, asking them to intervene and force these council people -- and Alex Taft -- to abide by the law.

This is not about 'two sides to every story' -- this is about the truth. Something has happened to Quartzsite's money and whatever has been going on, it must be brought out into the open.

If the council truly wants to put differences aside and work for the good of the town, they have only to 'put their cards on the table.' OPEN THE BOOKS and PROVE ME WRONG. If they will just PROVE that they have nothing to hide, I will quietly assume my Mayoral position and fight them no more.

The Rules... Do they really matter?

When a special budget meeting was scheduled by Mayor Foster, the date was quickly changed from Tuesday, June 22 to Friday, June 18, 2010. Not only was the change done without request, it shortened preparation time considerably.

Is it possible that the 'rules' of proper town management have been ignored so long that those in office no longer know how it is to be accomplished?

Quartzsite Town Council meetings are not operating under Roberts Rules of Order -- we are actually under Parliamentary Procedure. The Power of the Agenda does not belong to Ms. Taft: it belongs to the Mayor. The calling of meetings is not at the discretion of the council but at the direction of the Mayor -- changes in scheduling needs to go through the proper channels.

And 'Call for the Question,' a tact frequently used by Quartzsite's past councils to prevent speakers from continuing to speak on issues 'uncomfortable' for councilmen is not to be utilized to shut down discussion -- and will not be tolerated in meetings over which I officiate.

Since Mr. Lizarraga indicated during a public meeting that the office of the Mayor is simply 'a figurehead,' it occurs to me that some level of education for our sitting officials is in order.

For this reason, I am taking the opportunity to share with my readers my concern that the officials in Quartzsite are duty bound to operate under proper procedure -- and if there are questions concerning what those procedures are or how they are to be conducted, now is the time for understanding.

After all, even if I, as Mayor, am not the choice of some of our councilmen -- those councilmen still have the responsibility to respect the office of the Mayor, exactly as those councilmen would expect their own council positions to be respected.

Rumor or Reality?
"ALEX TAFT SEEKS REVERSAL OF ELECTION RESULTS!"

Editor's Note: It was amazing to discover Monday, after days of speculation by those whose concern stemmed from earlier efforts to disenfranchise the Mayoral position, that the Mayoral position is not the one being challenged -- at least not in a recount.

Two weeks have transpired since four Quartzsite councilmen set off a firestorm of controversy over efforts to disempower the Mayoral position and disenfranchise voters, and confusion has reigned over how far these issues might go -- and just what those unusual agenda items might mean.

Of course, the council does intend to have Vice Mayor Barbara Cowell -- already under recall for her involvement in the initial disempowerment procedures -- sign the minutes of the meeting in question, since I have refused to do so before this entire issue can be reviewed by an independent and unbiased attorney.

[Voters have expressed concern that those that put the Mayor into office should have the right to have the question posed to them via an initiative.]

And in a vague and poorly worded Town Council Meeting Agenda released Friday, it appeared that there was an attempt to have the election results set aside by indicating the town is in a state of emergency.

After days of concern and efforts to obtain proper information, it was determined that the only move underway is a review of the vote results pertaining to Anderson, Sias, Hamilton and Kelley.

The good news is there is a breaking point and the town has reached it.

It's unfortunate that such little regard for professionalism is apparent on the part of those orchestrating these issues -- and that there seems to be a solid effort only to thrive on causing confusion and concern. At Quartzsite's Town Hall, phones are not answered, truths are misrepresented, officials frequently are 'not in the office' and cannot be reached, calls are not returned. Thus, no one had a way to verify -- or to clarify -- the poorly written agenda or its meaning.

This in spite of how they look -- in spite of how the town looks -- to those higher officials to which these matters are being appealed.

Quartzsite does not live in a vacuum. Once again, our propensity for mishandling documents and facts is under fire. And this time, the situation will be rectified.

Has the fallout already begun for Quartzsite's councilmen?

The Recall efforts are already underway for those councilmen involved in the decision to attempt to withdraw certain Mayoral powers from newly elected Ed Foster. Those councilmen are: Joe Winslow, Patricia Anderson, Jerry Lukkasson and Barbara Cowell.

Kelly voted against the measure and Lizarraga abstained.

"I have not encouraged recall efforts over the treatment I received Tuesday evening," Foster stated. "I have encouraged my constituents to allow the sitting council an opportunity to operate as a group... But I know there is a great deal of frustration on the part of those people because of how the situation was handled as well as the orchestration of the meeting that night. These recall efforts are a direct result of what happened that evening -- from people who feel they were disenfranchised."

Foster also acknowledged that he was aware of a recall effort against Councilman Joe Winslow and Vice Mayor Barbara Cowell that had been decided prior to Tuesday's meeting.

Councilman Joe Winslow is heard on the Town of Quartzsite's official March 23, 2010 meeting tape as the meeting prepares to open, in which he talks about 'machine gunning' five people in the front row -- most believe he was referring to several of those that would be the most outspoken -- among his critics.

Whatever the issue that prompted Winslow's comments, the statement was clearly improper and could be construed as serious enough to warrant his removal from office.

"I was stunned by his comments and feel that his actions may well have compromised his ability to lead," Foster stated. "We will have to see what happens from this point -- and what Mr. Winslow might do as the recall effort progresses."

Some of Quartzsite's more vocal citizens may have stronger opinions on the topic:

"The comments made by Joe Winslow caught on tape just prior to the March 23, 2010 council meeting were embarrassing to all of us and apparently very indicative of just what Winslow thinks of his constituents," stated citizen and Citizen's Coalition Political Activist Dean Taylor. "He is obviously too quick with his words and doesn't think things through before he opens up on people. Not good leadership qualities."

Winslow had already alienated his constituents over his part in appointing Wes Huntley to the position of Mayor [instead of 'acting Mayor'] and allotting him the pay customarily afforded an elected official -- not an appointed one -- occupying the position of Mayor.

Also recalled over that issue is Barbara Cowell.

According to Recall Petition circulators, the effort is well underway already with many signatures and the required numbers of citizens easily attainable given the political climate in Quartzsite of late.

How can Quartzsite overcome the challenges to rebuilding this community?

It would seem to me to be a simple thing -- just learn what should and should not be happening -- according to the rules -- and then run the town according to the rules as protocol directs public officials to do.

But in a move already proven to be ill-advised -- and clearly against the will of Quartzsite's citizens -- four of Quartzsite's councilmen voted to attempt to shut down certain Mayoral powers in a clear attempt to disempower a brand new Mayor.

I would criticize that move no matter who the new Mayor might be -- and no matter who orchestrated such an absurd event. After all, it's that position that the candidate ran for and that position to which that individual was elected. What's difficult to understand about that? How could anything else be done without illustrating a clear intent to circumvent or -- worse -- usurp the will of the people?

But in spite of strong and vocal opposition as well as avid indication that more recall petitions would be circulated against those that participated, four councilmen chose to do so.

And, of course, it was promptly learned by several individuals that what they had done was illegal, ill-advised and, finally ILLEGAL.

Steps will immediately be taken to prevent those that were a party to this incident from seeing this measure succeed -- the passage of which has been criticized as an attempt to prove themselves 'most powerful.' Ultimately-- they have damaged themselves, their reputations, and the already precarious effort to rebuild any semblance of professionalism and camaraderie that might have been established.

Why is this being allowed to continue? Who is making these ridiculous judgment calls? Why can't we put aside what can only be described as 'petty, personal grievances' and unite in a consolidated effort to rebuilt our community.

The voters are finally making themselves heard in Quartzsite -- and I am proud to listen to their voices. In fact, you will never see the day that I would refuse to listen to my constituents or stand in opposition to the will of those people for whom I was elected to speak.

And, even if there are officials that refuse to respond to them, it's going to be a brief matter of time before they're no longer there and true professionals are brought in to take their places. It's the voters that count and the voters that are demanding to -- finally -- be heard in Quartzsite.

We absolutely and unequivocally must show ourselves willing to listen to our constituents and to abide by their will. Anyone that doesn't understand why this is imperative should simply not be in office.

What happened at Tuesday's meeting only illustrated clearly and effectively what the residents of Quartzsite have known for too long -- that there is a force within the town's administration that stands in direct opposition to the town and its people.

Tuesday's council session was a disgrace and I am thankful that the citizens will -- under my watch -- never again have to shout to be heard.

Now, about those rules...

Why the term 'Politics as Usual' is appropriately applied to Quartzsite

As the election approaches, local officials are rumored to be at the center of an attempt to bring down the 'Reform Slate Candidates Movement' with the flick of an enterprising pen -- but are citizens really so naive as to allow themselves to be so easily sidetracked?

And -- if not -- who, then, are they playing to?

Most look for another 'hit piece' to rattle off the presses just before the election takes place, with a series of unsubstantiated accusations and unvalidated 'facts' compiled for presentation as 'stories.'

Unfortunately, in Quartzsite, the publication in question rarely publishes the documentation involved, so facts are generally misconstrued and -- subsequently -- stories are misrepresented.

Ordinarily, we would not write about any publication -- but this genuinely deserves to be the focus of this article for the simple reason that it is seen as the mouthpiece for the town, and was founded by the acting Mayor [Akin] that was in place before this acting Mayor [Huntley] took the position amidst much upheaval from the public sector: the public clearly wanted to be able to ELECT their Mayor, as provided for under the laws of the Town.

If the past is any measure of what to expect, more of the same will likely be in store for voters unless the incumbents are removed from office -- and it's unfortunate that that is the way it must be.

There is still time for Quartzsite to revise and restructure the many mistakes that have been made over the past 8-10 years. A weak council that simply allowed the things that were done during this period was something Quartzsite could not afford -- and the damage is now readily apparent. In the face of a failing economy and with empty coffers as well as a tremendous debt load, the town's people are carrying far more than they should have to shoulder -- and it's a burden that they did not create.

Council people are expected to hold to a high standard of accountability, recognizing that their constituents -- the business people and the citizens they represent -- are their foremost responsibility. To see the council in Quartzsite criticize and condemn those that attempted to reign in an errant Mayor and, ultimately, an errant council has been incredibly unfortunate for the citizenry.

To see one unqualified 'insider' after another take their position at the head of that room, attempting to convince themselves and others that they were there simply because they could be -- has overshadowed the entire process and brought tremendous consternation on the part of the voting public.

Voters, in fact, criticized the people, the place, the methodology. And for those that dared to speak even somewhat openly, there was retribution and retaliation waiting.

Now, the tide is turning. People are meeting again in small groups throughout Quartzsite, talking about the political climate without fear. They are contacting friends and relatives, encouraging them to put together meetings where there aren't 'spies,' and more information pertinent to life in Quartzsite is being brought out than ever before.

And what started this entire matter? The stifling of public speech. The public humiliation of those who stood to ask questions or request more information. Decrying the means as well as the purpose, defenders have come forward to stop the overtaking of Quartzsite, to question those who have usurped the will of the people and run the town into a wall of dissention, mistrust, ill-will and poverty.

And the future of Quartzsite? That will be in the hands of those who display a willingness to actually listen to their constituents. Members of the community are finally talking to each other, sharing their concerns and ideas for redeveloping all that was lost during the days of discord.

With the opportunity to reorganize the town and properly evaluate all that's transpired, there is a good chance that Quartzsite can be salvaged before any more damage can be done.

It was once a strong community with good resources. We need a capable and sincere office staff, the makings of which already exist.

The police force is a viable part of the community and with simple modifications will remain the force for good that it was intended to be.

Quartzsite's citizens are ready for a good future where there there will be ways for the town -- and its residents -- to prosper again.

'The Art of the Hit Piece'

For a paper that initially indicated they wouldn't be publishing anything but good news, Quartzsite's 'other' paper is once again full of puff pieces from our illustrious incumbents -- while ignoring the actions and activities of those incumbents that brought our community to its current position -- FLAT BROKE.

Although you can't really blame people whose livelihoods depend upon advertising revenue for taking in 'advertising' -- no matter the source -- [which is why this publication has not taken advertising], clearly two factions exist in Quartzsite and, sooner or later, the ones that are preventing a public accounting of the monies that have been spent [and other things] are going to have to answer for their actions.

Attempting to justify what's happened in Quartzsite while treating this election as just another election with two differing opinions on the operation of the town is ludicrous. There are missing monies -- and not just minor amounts -- hundreds of thousands of them, escalating into many millions -- that Steve Bennett, once in office, expressed shock as well as concern over when he discovered that not only had this been happening, it was continuing to happen!

And what happened to Bennett? He was vilified -- humiliated -- driven from office. But from that point on, various people began to come forward with their own concerns and -- yes -- even then, many of them were employees of the Town of Quartzsite.

These people continue to come forward -- not to DAMAGE the town -- to PROTECT the town from whatever unscrupulous people have taken control. They are acting in the BEST interest of the community and are working behind the scenes, putting themselves and their positions on the line, in the hope that the VOTERS will see what's happening and put watchdogs in office specifically to stop the constant outflow of money and PREVENT the looting of this town from continuing to occur!

These people want to see the things that have been happening over the past 7-8 years stop happening. They want to see AN END to SELECTIVE AUDITS and CHARACTER　 DEFAMATION, to BACKROOM DEALS AND SECRET MEETINGS, HIDDEN BONUSES and UNETHICAL PRACTICES.

They want to see an end to the hiring of more relatives and friends that aren't hired for their skills but for the willingness to stand idly by and watch as the coffers are drained by incompetents, unable, unwilling and -- some -- unqualified to go earn an honest living.

ELECTING SEVERAL QUALIFIED CANDIDATES that are not dependent upon the town for their livings -- but who actually have decent pensions and other incomes they've earned in the past based upon their actual skills and talents will not be the ruination of this town.

These people aren't running for office because they have no place else to be or because they need the money.

They're running for office in the hope that they can save Quartzsite from what's been happening here that has rendered the town broke and on the verge of bankruptcy.　 They're hoping they can turn the tide and stop the reckless and unethical spending that's continuing to occur.

For all the grandstanding and manipulation of the facts that has been offered by the sitting council, none of them have acted to reign in the ridiculous spending but Mr. Jose Lizarraga -- and he needs a strong council that will endorse his brand of leadership: careful evaluation of spending and a fearless determination to see that Quartzsite succeeds as it faces a precarious future.

There is time to rebuild our community and establish a new criteria for giving back control to the citizens of the town. It is not for a few people to decide that this community no longer needs nor wants vendors. It is That is for the community to determine.

If the water and sewer rates needed to be increased, why was the issue not reviewed or handled before it reached catastrophic proportions -- and why are we forcing the the Show, RV and Mobile Home Park owners to carry the entire burden, more than their share of the weight? This isn't a simple matter of increases -- these are tremendous amounts of money! To these park owners, these fees will amount to THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS PER MONTH! They will LITERALLY be FORCED out of BUSINESS! Ask yourself this, dear councilpeople -- when they are gone, on whom will the next, unequal burden by forced?

Could it be that they were UNDER-REPRESENTED because there are no show, RV or Mobile Home park owners that were appointed and not elected to the Quartzsite council that didn't get a special deal?lo;

Does this take you back to the ‘WHAT DID THEY KNOW and WHEN DID THEY KNOW IT?’ days of spiraling American government?

The vending businesses -- the mainstay of Quartzsite's financial base for many, many years, is collapsing. There is no national advertising for Quartzsite being done anywhere anymore and the vendors go where the crowds are -- so they're leaving Quartzsite behind for 'greener pastures.'

Thus, many of these show and park grounds -- which have a high overhead already and have fewer and fewer winter visitors to sustain them, are facing financial catastrophes of their own.

Their seasons -- which used to run six to seven months out of the year are now down to 30-45 days! This water and sewer legislation, an ill-conceived and ridiculous attempt to 'squeeze' revenue from our park and show owners will ultimately only serve to force them out of business even faster than the lack of crowds.

And what was the council's reaction?

Mr. Kelly cut a special deal for the residents of Q Mountain. Those people don't have to face the same burden as the rest of the mobile home park residents throughour the community.

But what happens when it's YOUR business on the line? Who will represent YOU? It's simple to see that when the parks are gone so too will be the snowbirds. And with them will go the few remaining businesses -- already cash-strapped and praying that Quartzsite will find a way to survive -- because it's growing increasingly doubtful that Quartzsite will make it through this downturn.

Instead of putting the blame for the town leadership's complete lack of foresight and accountability squarely on the backs of this small group of people. there needs to be an end to the dismal practice of allocating large chunks of money without proper accounting.

A comprehensive breakdown and analysis of Quartzsite's spending should be readily available for any citizen that wants to review it. No more should citizens be criticized or vilified for asking questions in public -- and if the citizenry determines that they want to speak before an issue comes to a vote, that should be their right.

Why should Quartzsite have a town manager that doesn't answer the phone or return calls? Does the community recognize that her salary alone is nearly $100,000.00 per year? Yet just try to obtain information from her pertinent to the finances of this community.

Under Arizona's Sunshine Laws secrecy is to be completely prohibited -- and cameras, video recorders and tape recording devices are to be allowed in any public meetings to which the public is invited. When -- and why -- did Quartzsite's officials endorse such restrictive methods for dealing with their own constituents?

Those running for office in Quartzsite have established themselves as strong and capable people working to create an open and transparent governing structure for the GOOD OF ALL of QUARTZSITE'S CITIZENS, NOT JUST A SELECT FEW.

While the INCUMBENTS work to instill fear in the citizenry and indicate there will be 'PROBLEMS' should any of the REFORM SLATE CANDIDATES succeed in their efforts to join the council, this fear mongering is bordering on the absurd.

Council candidates are NOT in CHARGE of the council. They carry one vote each. But the incumbents know that with the inclusion of these individuals, there will be an end to DOUBLE DEALING, BACKROOM MANIPULATIONS, SECRET ENDORSEMENTS,　 CONSEALED FACTS and a BANKRUPT COMMUNITY.

Quartzsite's citizens did not create the dismal financial condition the community faces today, nor did they HIDE the fact that the community was INSOLVENT...

THEIR COUNCILMEN DID.

Water Issue to be a Catalyst for the Review of Policy and Reporting Practices

So... What is up with the water?

When Bennett's pool incident raised public awareness about what may or may not be responsible for the discoloration of the water and the 'material' floating -- later sinking to the bottom -- in the liquid, people started looking into the issue. Among them, Council Candidate Bill Moore, who has openly made the question of safe water a platform in his campaign for public office. Vocal in his criticism, Moore is questioning the difficulty Bennett encountered in finding someone to accept the report of his findings and respond to his concern.

In a search for further information and to see about independent testing of water, it appears that Quartzsite's residents aren't alone in their concern over the lack of response on the part of community officials or their confusion over who is to be contacted and how to have independent testing done.

"The 911 dispatch Sheriff's Department had no contact information for the state's officials," Foster said, "Public services officials or the public services department were unable to contact Quartzsite's officials during a two-hour period. There was also no response from the county health department. The phone rang incessantly without being answered, forwarded or sent through to an answering service.

"Even the state police headquarters in Phoenix had no emergency numbers to call. Nowhere, I was told, in the state is there an emergency action plan for public utilities. Even ADEQ did not have a number to call. There is no emergency action plan for any public utility in the State of Arizona."

Many of the water resources sites online have been closed due to budget cuts or constraints, leaving consumers to fend for themselves.

Ed Foster, publisher of the MINESHAFT and candidate for Mayor, in the course of researching this issue, found a most unusual notation on the Internet's Google search page, indicating that by visiting the primary page for information [a government owned site] that one's computer could be even be damaged.
[Link HERE.]

"Are consumers being discouraged from launching their own investigations?" Foster asked. Not to be dissuaded, he's asking public officials to check out the Google notation and find out why the site might be generating such an ominous message.

"Surely the governmental agencies understand the ramifications of having such a notation on their site's links -- it needs to be acknowledged and whatever is causing the message should be repaired."

Also, the Internet needs to be clearly state how and where to report concerns.

TIMELINE of the Quartzsite Pool Incident

1. 6PM Attempted to call Town Hall -- The line was not answered.
2. Attempted to contact the La Paz County Health Department but the line was not answered.
3. At approximately 6:30PM contacted the La Paz County Sheriff's office and was told they would dispatch an officer to contact public works official.
4. At approximately 8:30PM called The La Paz County Sheriff's office and was told the call was now 'Code 97' --
    [This means this report was completed without any response from Quartzsite's officials.]
5. Called the Department of Public Safety office in Phoenix in an attempt to contact to contact the Arizona State Health Department.
    I was told DPS had no emergency contact numbers for state officials.
6. Called ADEQ official who attempted to contact local officials.
    They said they had not established contact with Quartzsite's officials but that they would be in Quartzsite Monday.

Finding officials who know what's happening and can be available for an interview is quite another matter, however.

The Arizona Water Institute website indicates that that agency has closed due to budget cuts [LINK HERE] and a notation on the page states that the agency had lost its funding.

The concern then becomes this: When funding cuts effect public safety, what is it that's continuing to be funded -- and why?
Is there something more important on the agendas of community leaders than the safety of the public water supply?

Among the concerns in regard to Quartzsite's water are the known toxic plumes per ADEQ documents that have been an issue, the pharmaceuticals that -- until recently -- people have been advised to flush when dated, obsolete or no longer required, and the fluoride additive that is under fire around the world as people have discovered fluoride's devastating effects.■

Clean water is a necessity for public health. Without it, those consuming it -- animal or human -- become ill, sometimes irreversibly so. Why shouldn't this be an issue that's accessible to the public so they can vote on its importance in their lives? If the general public doesn't care about drinking water safety and standards, then it would quickly become a non-issue. But if they do, they should be able to simply vote to remove those 'less-concerned' officials out of public office.

After all, the leadership in this country is to represent the interests of the public -- the many, not the few.

Read more on this topic:

■ Group says Arizona water pollution exceeds legal limits - Phoenix Business Journal
■ Arizona Well Owner's Help
■ Arizona Water Resources
■ The Impact of Mining on the Aquifer
■ Peak Water: Drilling into Arizona's Aquifer has Caused Aquifers and Rivers to Run Dry

Do you have 'inside' information that would be appropriate for WIKILEAKS? Upload it without fear of reprisals HERE.

Pool Water Stirs Controversy

When STEVE BENNETT sent out this letter Friday evening, he was obviously concerned about the water flowing into his pool.

And when Bennett contacted the Quartzsite Town Hall Friday, it was more to ask a question than to lodge a complaint.

"What is that, anyway?"

According to Bennett, he had begun filling his pool only to discover a strange color and an even more unusual sight. He couldn't see through the murky water to the bottom of the pool.

Bennett, prior Mayor of Quartzsite [elected, not appointed] decided to allow anyone interested in the issue to visit his property and secure their own photographs. And he put the story of how this issue had happened into an e-mail and sent it out, indicating to recipients that they could forward it wherever they wished.

Fortunately, the issue wound up in the hands of ADEQ -- who has promised to arrive Monday to do an investigation.

Bill Moore has written extensively about this issue and is making the safety of Quartzsite's water a campaign issue.

Moore's photograph of this water in a beaker -- as well as a much discussed shot of a bottle filled with Bennett's pool water -- clearly depicts his concern over the safety of the town's water.

Is there a problem? If so, how widespread is it? Have other citizens complained about water issues without making their concerns public? Or have they not encountered any problems and can register their positive experiences with the town's water supply.

Bill Moore has been an elected official. [Elected, not appointed.] It would appear he may soon be elected again. Does he represent the concerns of the people?

[Click here for Moore's letter concerning this issue.]

Now that this issue is receiving media attention, we welcome citizen's comments concerning their thoughts.

If Quartzsite's citizens would like to voice their opinions on this topic, we would like to hear them. Write, call or e-mail, we'd like to know what you think.

DEEPINTHEDIRT@QUARTZSITEMINESHAFT.COM

Arizona Enacts Firearms 'Constitutional Carry'

PHOENIX -- Governor Jan Brewer's just signed the new "Constitutional Carry" firearm law, making Arizona the 'beacon state' for the entire nation on the gun-rights 'right-to-carry'issue.

Arizonans, who have always been free to carry firearms openly since the state acquired statehood in 1912, can now carry discreetly as well, without the issue of permits or other 'read tape.' Vermont, considered a low-crime area by virtually all standards, has enjoyed this freedom since Colonial days. While the permit system remains in place, it will no longer be a requirment for discreet carry.

Arizona's has very strict laws concerning the criminal misuse of firearms -- and these laws will remain unaffected by what are being touted as 'the new public freedoms,' although the penalty for criminal use of firearms has been enhanced, and bringing widespread support from law enforcement, and causing the legislation to be more easily passed.

Alaska had enacted a Constitutional Carry law in 2003, while Texas passed a limited version intended primarily for use by travelers in 2007.

Montana's similar law has been on the books since 1991 on 99.4% of its land (that lying outside city limits). Interestingly, these states have experienced no increase in crime or accidents related to these expanded freedoms to discreetly bear arms in public. However that didn't prevent the expected dire warnings of "blood in the streets" that preceded the implementation of the new laws, all of which were ultimately proven false.

What many considered an 'intrusive government permit' system in Arizona was introduced in 1994. With it began an extensive array of paperwork, approvals, fingerprinting, criminal-database listings, required classes, two mandatory tests, taxation and expiration dates to exercise rights.

That option is still available but, ultimately required the use of extemsive police resources that most believe should be utilized to reduce crime instead of being diverted into a program of registering, regulating and tracking the innocent, with no history of abuse.

Essentially, only 3% of the public have signed up for what amounts to a plastic-coated permission slip, although an about 50% of the state's population maintains their right to keep and bear arms. Official sources admit they get millions of dollars per year from the resulting permit taxes now labeled 'fees.'

Dave Koppe, a lobbyist for the Arizona Citizens Defense League that promoted the new law states, "This new law brings rights restoration for the public, and an increase in freedom for law-abiding people."

"The people have the same right to bear arms discreetly that they have to bear arms openly, we are simply correcting statute to reflect that. If your jacket accidentally covers your sidearm, that no longer exposes you to criminal penalties. A woman will be able to put a handgun in her handbag, go about her business, and not be subject to arrest."

Conflict of Interest Charge Against Quartzsite's 'Acting Mayor' Wes Huntley

When WES HUNTLEY refused to recuse himself from a meeting on backflow devices Tuesday, April 13, 2010, it was a violation of the law.

In order for Huntley to participate in such a meeting, he would have to be out of any semblance of that business for a period of at least two years.

It is illegal for councilmen who have a CONFLICT OF INTEREST to participate in any proceedings that will allow them inside information or bring about circumstances in which they or their companies, their friends, their relatives or other associates could conceivably profit or obtain other information via the 'use' individual's of their publicly held position.

This matter has yet to be considered publicly -- and it is a pending Expose. Huntley and the Town Attorney Pamela Walsma of SHADLE & WALSMA Law Offices in Yuma, Arizona were properly apprised of this conflict of interest before Huntley participated in this meeting and did nothing to prevent it. Huntley went ahead with the EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING which took place behind closed doors and, during the session, several council meeting attendees waiting in the Town Hall portion of the building criticized his decision to go through with his participation and indicated that they were aware that his participation constituted a violation of the law and a violation of ethics.

Editor's Note: Quartzsite's officials should understand that just because the people of Quartzsite stood silent did not indicate they do not understand ethics violations nor would ignore clear evidence of law-breaking.

What possible reason could they have had for meeting secretly with Huntley present in spite of proper notification?

News

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Breaking News: NEWS ARCHIVES
ALTERNATIVE NEWS SOURCES

The Real Agenda

There is an old adage, authored by Edmund Burke, that says,
"All that's required for evil to triumph is for good men to stand by and do nothing."

The fact is, we are all in this together -- like it or not.

Has the fallout already begun for Quartzsite's councilmen?

How can Quartzsite overcome the challenges to rebuilding this community?

Why the term 'Politics as Usual' is appropriately applied to Quartzsite

'The Art of the Hit Piece'

"Are consumers being discouraged from launching their own investigations?" Foster asked. Not to be dissuaded, he's asking public officials to check out the Google notation and find out why the site might be generating such an ominous message.

"Surely the governmental agencies understand the ramifications of having such a notation on their site's links -- it needs to be acknowledged and whatever is causing the message should be repaired."

Also, the Internet needs to be clearly state how and where to report concerns.

Finding officials who know what's happening and can be available for an interview is quite another matter, however.

News

Top Stories

Press Releases

Links:

Related resources

Related resources - Key Information

Breaking News: NEWS ARCHIVES ALTERNATIVE NEWS SOURCES

The Real Agenda There is an old adage, authored by Edmund Burke, that says, "All that's required for evil to triumph is for good men to stand by and do nothing." The fact is, we are all in this together -- like it or not.

Has the fallout already begun for Quartzsite's councilmen?

How can Quartzsite overcome the challenges to rebuilding this community?

Why the term 'Politics as Usual' is appropriately applied to Quartzsite

'The Art of the Hit Piece'

"Are consumers being discouraged from launching their own investigations?" Foster asked. Not to be dissuaded, he's asking public officials to check out the Google notation and find out why the site might be generating such an ominous message.

"Surely the governmental agencies understand the ramifications of having such a notation on their site's links -- it needs to be acknowledged and whatever is causing the message should be repaired." Also, the Internet needs to be clearly state how and where to report concerns.

Finding officials who know what's happening and can be available for an interview is quite another matter, however.

News

Top Stories

Press Releases

Links:

Related resources

Related resources - Key Information

Breaking News: NEWS ARCHIVES
ALTERNATIVE NEWS SOURCES

The Real Agenda

There is an old adage, authored by Edmund Burke, that says,
"All that's required for evil to triumph is for good men to stand by and do nothing."

The fact is, we are all in this together -- like it or not.

"Surely the governmental agencies understand the ramifications of having such a notation on their site's links -- it needs to be acknowledged and whatever is causing the message should be repaired."

Also, the Internet needs to be clearly state how and where to report concerns.