Lizarraga to be sworn in illegally!

Not satisfied with the long list of open meetings violations, open records violations and other assorted illegal and unethical acts, the Quartzsite Town Council appears quite eager to committ one more.

Although Town Code Section 2-3-1 states that elected officials are sworn in at the next "regular" council meeting following the election, an agenda was posted Friday, at 5 pm for a special meeting to do the deed.
http://www.ci.quartzsite.az.us/2011%20Packets/090611%20Sp%20Mtg%20Adg.htm
There is no specific provision for swearing in an elected official at a special meetig. Of course, by 5 pm it was too late to make any inquiries, and this is a holiday weekend, with government offices closed on Monday. Surely, NOT a coincidence!

As of 5 pm Friday, the canvas of the vote had not been completed. One wonders what the hurry is all about? What does Ms. Graft have in mind that can't wait a week until the "regular" meeting?

Candidates file at last minute to run in mayoral recall election

It was a suspense filled day at Quartzsite Town Hall. Although several people had pulled packets to run, and three had filed campaign spending limit affidavits, no one had turned in nomination papers with only two hours to go...First,  Jose Lizarraga made it official. Then Republican Precinct Committeeman Michael Roth filed. Then, Desert Freedom Press Publisher Jennifer Jones reportedly made it, with only minutes to spare.

Both Roth and Jones share common ground with current Mayor Ed Foster, and blame Lizarraga for voting in lockstep with the town manager's other puppets on the council, thereby directly causing the current public safety crisis the town is in. According to Jones "He's the fireman that turned his back on the police. If he had done his duty, and voted to put Chief Gilbert on administrative leave when Ed (Foster) called the special meeting, I would have never been injured!"

"I'd like to thank the 'dirty laundry' Lukkasson's for collecting all those signatures and giving me the opportunity to be part of the political debate again", said Roth."The Lukkasson's wanted the taxpayers to fund another election, I think we should give them one they'll never forget!" said Jones.

Apparently, Jones and Foster nominated Roth. Roth nominated Jones. As the incumbent, Foster did not need to file any paperwork.

Here comes the next contestant...

Who will they appoint to  the Quartzsite Town Council  on Tuesday night? That's the question on everyone's minds now that "Just say - No way Jose" Lizarraga has officially resigned from his council seat to run against "People's Mayor" Ed Foster, in the August recall election.

NEW BUSINESS:


062811 – 1. Discussion and possible acceptance of Council Member Lizarraga’s resignation and discussion regarding filling the vacancy. (Not open for public discussion)
Alex Taft, Town Manager

Many are speculating that they will reinstall their favorite puppet, former acting like a mayor "Waffling Wes" Huntley. Huntley is currently a co-defendant in the Jennifer Jones harassment lawsuit against the town council, Police Chief Jeff Gilbert, and Town mismanager Alex Taft. Jones, the publisher of popular newspaper "the  Desert Freedom Press" is apparently also running for the mayor's seat.

Some speculate that other possible appointees are political mouthpiece Shanana "Rain" Golden-Bear, Violet Kiss(ass), welfare granny Hygea "half wit" Halfmoon, or dark horse and recent roll over Steve Bennett.

Other items on Tuesday night's agenda are:

062811 – 2. Discussion and possible approval of Resolution No. 11-10; declaring as public record that certain document filed with the Town Clerk and entitled “The 2010-11 Amendments to the Tax Code of the Town of Quartzsite”. (Not open for public discussion)
Karen Norris, Town Clerk

062811 – 3. Discussion and possible approval of Ordinance No. 11-07; adopting “The 2010-11 Amendments to the Tax Code of the Town of Quartzsite” by reference, establishing an effective date; providing for severability and providing penalties for violations. (Open for public discussion)
Karen Norris, Town Clerk

062811 – 4. Discussion and possible appointment of Public Defender for the Town of Quartzsite Magistrate Court. (Not open for public discussion)
Alex Taft, Town Manager

062811 – 5. Discussion and possible appointment of Prosecutor for the Town of Quartzsite Magistrate Court. (Not open for public discussion)
Alex Taft, Town Manager

062811 – 6. Discussion and possible approval to advertise a request for Statement of Qualifications for Professional Engineering and Related Services on a Task Order Basis on Town of Quartzsite Transportation and Public Works projects. (Not open for public discussion).
Al Johnson, Asst. Town Manager

062811 – 7. Discussion and possible censure of the Mayor regarding violation of the Quartzsite Council Procedure Manual by releasing for publication comments not shared by the majority of the Council, and without the knowledge or permission of the Town Manager. (Not open for public discussion).
Joe Winslow, Council Member

After the childish show that council members put on at the June 14th meeting, I wouldn't be surprised to if they were so embarrassed that they all phone in their attendance, to avoid having to look their constituents in the eye.

Who will fill the shoes of the fireman who turned his back on the police? See for yourself. "Come on down! You're the next contestant" on our municipal game show. And now, a word from our sponsors - the tax payers of Quartzsite!

Just say "NO WAY" to Jose! He got us into this mess...brought to you by the my pet goldfish could do a better job committee for election reform.

It's official - Lizarraga is in!

Quartzsite Councilman Jose Lizarraga 

has turned in paperwork which declares him as a candidate to run against Ed Foster in the August recall election. He has until July 1st to change his mind and decide that his job with the Fire Dept. is more important than $400 a month to be Alex Taft's mouthpiece.

Three other potential candidates have pulled packets, but so far, none have turned anything in.

Lizarraga can expect a knock down drag out battle, in light of his abysmal voting record. Citizens are outraged at his recent votes in favor of firing respected Town Prosecutor Matt Newman and replacing him with Martin Brannan (who is under investigation by the state bar), raising their water and sewer rate fees, assert property rights over the "emergency airstrip", and as of last Tuesday's meeting, convening yet another "ad hoc" committee at taxpayer expense to censure the mayor and then walking off the podium when AZCOPS Vice President Stair attempted to address the council. Read the speech Lizarraga refused to hear at:
http://www.azcops.org/userfiles/JS%20Quartzsite%2006-14.pdf

Mayor Foster has published an excerpt from the police department policy manual which clearly shows that Lizarraga and the others are willfully violating town rules by hiring a "private investigator" instead of a law enforcement agency to look into the criminal charges against the police chief.  The mentality that the rules apply only to us, and not to members of the council or to staff has been enabled for far too long.

A video has been circulating around town, which clearly shows Lizarraga motioning the other council members to walk out of the meeting. We've already had a mayor, Steve Bennett, turn his back on the voters and abandon them. Do we need another?

Al Johnson gives concerned citizens the boot!

Including a reporter from the Arizona Republic Newspaper no less! (I can't wait to see how THAT headline will read...)

At the Wednesday, June 1st special meeting of the Quartzsite Common Council, over a hundred citizens attended to show support for QPD officers who had filed formal complaints of unethical and criminal conduct against Police Chief Jeff Gilbert.  Although people were still arriving, the standing room only crowd was told to leave the building by recently promoted assistant town mismanager Al Johnson. 


The meeting was called to order, but quickly adjourned for lack of a quorum, because only Mayor Foster and Councilman Jose Lizzarraga (a potential challenger for the August mayoral recall election) showed up.

In a disgusting display of disrespect for the voters who enabled them to retain their seats, Council members Anderson, Kelley, Winslow, Lukkasson and Cowell all boycotted the meeting. Their lame excuses are posted on the QTown blog. They did not exercise their option to "attend" the meeting by speakerphone and were officially noted as absent on the roll call. The message was loud and clear - none of them are interested in a crisis involving the police department and put private agendas above public safety. 

Town mismanager Alex Taft was also absent. Reportedly on "a planned vacation", she may not have vacationed further than Lukkasson's business on Main St. , where staff and council members were photographed having an not so secret meeting the previous morning, right after they had received several pages of documents detailing the officer's complaints. Her absence left "Building Official"/Planning & Zoning Director"/"Assistant Town Manager" Albert Johnson crowned as king for a day.

Johnson must have been unaware of the Arizona Republic Reporter sitting front row watching this drama unfold. Or quite possibly, he's just too stupid and arrogant to care. 


Although most were concerned over the investigation of Chief Gilbert, citizens never got to hear about case # 1101388 relating to possible charges against Alex Taft for refusing to fill open records requests as ordered by state officials. "Discussion and possible action regarding investigation by the Arizona Ombudsman's Office." was the only other item on the published meeting agenda.

After adjourning the scheduled meeting, Mayor Foster announced that  the lack of council would allow a "town hall" meeting like the absent council have been holding at the Quartzsite Improvement Association (QIA) for months now, and invited the public to speak. 


Chief Gilbert stated that he wanted the record to note his complaint that this "violated his right to due process", something he clearly doesn't even understand. "Due Process" would only have been an issue if the council had bothered to show up, and taken action. The only rights that were violated were the People's right to peaceably assemble and to free speech, when Mr. Johnson announced that he was closing the building and everyone had to leave. 


It seems obvious why 5 member of the Quartzsite Town Council chose not to attend a meeting where they would have been publicly compelled to put Gilbert on "administrative leave" pending investigation, under Police policy manual section P 448.4 (D). They must have been at Lukkasson's sign painting party! Around noon today, Sondra Gilbert, the chief's wife was photographed with welfare grandma Hygea Halfmoon, Lukkasson and others, loading a freshly painted 6' sign into the bed of a certain little red pick up truck. The sign says "Support Chief Gilbert"...

Town Hall meetings recap - a whirlwind week!

Well, where to begin? Chronologically, I suppose.

Tuesday afternoon there was a work session to discuss paying for yet another study of the Town's water and sewer rates. The most important thing you need to know is that Town mismanager Alex Taft did  not draw up a specific proposal for what exactly what was to be studied and put it out to an open bid. So what you had was the representative from economists.com with an impressive powerpoint presentation and bid of $23,000, and the shady Town Engineer PBS & J with a bid of $71,000. After a vigorous round of questions by the public, and Mayor Foster's stated desire for a flat rate usage billing system, the work session ended with a promise that it would someday come to pass! Later that evening, at the regular meeting, the council voted to go with the rate study by economists.com (the group that created the convoluted mess we are currently paying for). Best quote of the work session goes to Vice Mayor Barbara Cowell who said "I'm not that smart - you'll have to spell it out!" Second place goes to the rep from ecomists.com, with talking points like "financial disincentive", "rates accomplish more than just raising revenues", and "it is important to review this data in light of your very aggressive hook up plan". He also confirmed that when they did the $25,000 study in 2009, the Town was "insolvent" and borrowing money from HURF and the General Fund.


Also at Tuesday evening's regular meeting, everything on the agenda passed. Jennifer "Jade" Jones was the first to enter the political fray and announced that she would run for Town Council, but did not state which recall candidate she would take on in the upcoming election. Jones also announced the tentative December debut of her "free community newspaper" (rumor has it that Mayor Foster may have licensed The Quartzsite Mineshaft" to her) Advertisers wishing to get in on the deep discounts available for the premier winter season should stop by her grooming salon located this year at  J & S Covers on Hwy 95.


Thursday was a very busy day with a special meeting, a work session and training from the League of Arizona Cities and Towns.


The special meeting saw the appointment of Doug Ross to the Planning and Zoning Committee. Barbara Bowman's appointment to the Municipal Property Corporation will complete the term of Nella Shaw. In what seemed like an intentional oversight by the Town mismanager, all members of the Council except the Mayor were on the agenda to approve themselves and Alex Taft as "account/check signers for the new Horizon community Bank accounts". An oversight Taft wisely chose to rectify.

The work session had Quartzsite's vendors squarely in the cross hairs of Taft and the (trained at Town's expense) "Building Official" Al Johnson. Talk of changing the business license code, proposals for new County health regulations for mobile kitchens, reducing the vendor permit to 180 days, new ideas for revocation of permits, and other nightmare scenarios are not yet a done deal and changes will NOT affect the current season. However, vendors who want to return next year should attend the next meeting on this topic, the date of which is yet to be announced.


The League of Cities and Towns came to the aide of Mayor Foster and put his critics in their place last night! By the end of the "training", Vice Mayor Cowell's voice was quivering as if on the verge of tears! Police Chief Jeff Gilbert was warned that he had no authority to control the meeting unless ordered to do so by Mayor Foster, and that if he asserted himself in such a manner it could result in a lawsuit. (The warning was overdue, because it already has!). Town Attorney Pamela Walsma was instructed that she works for us, the citizens, through our Mayor and Council. A reality that had apparently not occurred to her as she is dangerously unfamiliar with this legal specialty. At every turn, it seemed as if our Mayor had been correct all along.

Total Recall - 2010

It's official! In an clear statement of disapproval by the voters,

THE QUARTZSITE TOWN COUNCIL HAS BEEN TOTALLY RECALLED! 

(And so quickly too!)

That's right dedicated readers, the petitions were recorded today and joining Babs and Machine Gun Joe will be Anderson, Kelley, Lukkasson and even Lizzarraga, the only Councilperson to receive enough votes to avoid last spring's run off. 

The record breaking voter turn out  in the Mayoral election meant that an unprecedented number of signatures was necessary (152), but that amount was easily exceeded by a third more than the required minimum for all four recently elected officials. An amazing feat for a summer "ghost town" 

Citizen outrage is at an all time high after the treasonous conduct of recently elected members of the Quartzsite Common Council and the malicious persecution of popular "People's Mayor" Ed Foster.

Let's compare May 18th votes to the verified number of recall signatures. With 1234 Registered Voters and 669 Cards Cast  (54.21%)

Patricia Anderson 317 votes, versus 217 recall signatures

Robert Kelley 316 votes, versus 209 recall signatures

Jerry Lukkason 322 votes versus - 211 recall signatures

and Jose Lizzarraga received 273 votes in the March 9th primary with:

Registered Voters 1346 - Cards Cast 506 (37.59%) 

211 recall signatures were easily obtained.

Hey Joe, it's not about "sedition"...it's about accountability. You guys have been pursuing personal agendas instead of doing the PEOPLE'S business! You guys talk about "the Town" as the entity that needs protecting...but the PEOPLE are the Town and clearly, they need protection from corrupt public officials. YOU are the reason that recalls are a power vested in the PEOPLE. (So are initiatives and referendums.) A few thousand dollars spent on a recall is a cheap lesson in civics, compared to a hundred and eighty thousand for Pam Walsma to protect you from the PEOPLE you were elected to serve. There's an old political adage that goes: "Pay me now with your vote - or pay me later with your seat!"

Why do I have gleeful  visions of the Von Trapp Family Singers?

 

What is "Goodbye" ? I'll take epitaphs for a thousand, Alex...

Ad hoc - post hoc

Just when you thought it couldn't be done, last nights Town Council meeting managed to lower the bar for Quartzsite politics yet again. How low can you go? I don't know..everybody limbo!

My, my, my, where to begin...the mayhem was brewing even before the meeting was called to order. When Mayor Ed Foster announced that he would be giving the invocation, Councilwoman Patricia Anderson and tho other haters began to wail...all Councilpersons refused to stand for the prayer. (Here's a novel idea, if you truly believe that our mayor is too unholy to bless the meeting, then I make a motion to actually separate church and state and do away with he invocation all together!) Councilman Jose Lizarrage made a motion that Vice Mayor Cowell chair the meeting. I guess he doesn't understand that legally, the position of "vice mayor" only exists in the absence of a mayor. These childish actions set the tone for what was to follow.

The only "new business" on the agenda was Vice Mayor Barbara Cowell's "Discussion and possible action regarding the ad hoc Ethics Committee recommendations concerning Mayor Foster's "official conduct" and "...to renounce and disclaim all of the actions and communication of Mayor Foster" etc. etc. followed by Mayor Foster's agenda item: "Discussion and possible response to the ad hoc Ethics Committee".

Let me preface the following recap by clarifying the fact that using the word "legal" or "ethical" in a sentence does not necessarily make it so. The Town's "Procedures and Policy Manual - Legal and Ethical Standards of Conduct" is not actually law, code, or statute of any sort, despite Alex Taft's defamatory insinuations to any publication that would waste the trees to print them.(which may be an ethics violation in and of itself as well as a crime under Arizona Revised Statutes 41-772)

Before proceeding to the new business, Mayor Foster explained that Council was "in illegal territory", and should the Council choose to proceed with that knowledge, they would be exempt from the "Executive Protection Clause" and could therefore be held personally liable in a civil action. Apparently, it's a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation our leadership has put the taxpayers in , where the only real winners will be the attorneys. Councilman Lizarraga commented that "We were told by our insurance that if we did not do something, we could be held liable."

Mayor Foster inquired as to whether the ad hoc Committee was proceeding under recommendations or legal council made by Town Attorney Pamela Walsma, and made it clear that nowhere in Arizona Revised Statutes 9-240 Powers of Common Council was there a provision for the Council to take sanctions against one of it's members. Foster asked Walsma if she could provide legal justification for such action, and would she sign a statement approving the Committee's recommendation to do so. Taking a page from the Dan Field play book, Walsma waffled and back peddled just as we would expect. She stated "I do not approve of all the things they do" and declined to sign Mayor Foster's document.

Mayor Foster also offered the Council the opportunity to deal with the matter in "executive session", but the Council declined and a video and audio recorded public free for all ensued.

The unethical Committee's recommendations included a demand that, as Mayor, Ed Foster stop publishing The Mineshaft,  cease attending meetings which include the La Paz County Economic Development Board, and not travel at Town expense (something the Mayor has never even done). In addition, it was recommended that recalled Councilman "Machine Gun" Joe Winslow demand Mayor Foster's resignation yet again. Councilman Winslow said he didn't believe the Committee's recommendations went far enough.

Also, it was revealed that Pamela Walsma has been posting inquiries to the Municipal Attorneys  online help blog as to the possibility of sanctions and other actions against the Mayor which included withholding his stipend. Foster made public the responses to Walsma's internet inquiry from Attorney Mary Wade of Tempe, and Scottsdale City Attorney Bruce Washburn , advising her that the proposal of censure was illegal. Something Town Attorney Walsma had not bothered to disclose to the Council, according to Councilman Robert Kelley. All six members of the Council voted to approve the censure of Mayor Foster, who stated that he will be ignoring the illegal demands.

Allegedly, Walsma has posted numerous internet pleas for assistance in municipal law since being retained as Town legal council, and one wonders why the Town mismanager would increase the budget for her services from $35,000 to $100,000 annually, when it seems clear that Walsma is practicing far outside of her legal specialty (wills, trusts and estates). If Walsma doesn't approve of the Council's actions, is she just in it for the money? And why did the Town toss aside more qualified candidates like Glen Gimbut and Gerald Hunt anyway? (Walsma's expertise might be useful however,  if the Town was looking to engage in the eminent domain taking of property owned by residents unlucky enough to die without their affairs in order...)

Despite Mayor Foster pointing out to Police Chief Jeff Gilbert that he was in violation of A.R.S. 14-772 by engaging in politics while on the job and in uniform, Gilbert showed his blatant contempt for the law and insisted on opining on five, count 'em five separate occasions! Mayor Foster graciously told Chief Gilbert that "freedom of speech" was at work and indeed,  Foster seems intent on keeping his promise that he would allow anyone to speak their opinion of him during the meeting.

Resident Violet Kiss falsely alleged that the Mayor had specifically instructed vendor Jennifer Harris to "sue every person on the Council" at a meeting of the Citizens Coalition she attended in June. However, that meeting was recorded and the facts reveal that Harris had publicly notified the Town Council of her intent to do so at a Council meeting roughly a year earlier,  before she had ever met Mayor Foster.

"Point of order! Point of order" repeatedly cried Council and audience members who didn't want any opinion expressed but their own and the meeting was continually disrupted by.those who wanted to silence any criticism of the apparent conspiracy against Mayor Foster.Police Chief Gilbert demanded "we will have order" even though, if acting as "Sergeant at Arms" it is not his legal place to make that demand unless acting on the instruction of the meeting's Chairman (the Mayor).  Resident Ron Burch was even threatened with being thrown out of the meeting (at the direction of Councilman Winslow instructing Chief Gilbert) for trying to speak loud enough to be heard over the clamor. (He had asked that the entire discussion be tabled for review by the Attorney General ). Council members Bob Kelley, Jerry Lukkasson and Joe Winslow got up and stormed out, but were careful to keep a quorum of four members to avoid have the meeting adjourned prematurely. Mayor Foster rightly pointed out that Burch had the floor and should be allowed to speak his peace, and former Quartzsite Mayor Richard Oldham turned his video camera on Police Chief Jeff Gilbert and advised "I don't think you should Chief". Faced with the probability of yet another round of unflattering appearances on the internet, Gilbert backed down.

When Mayor Foster pointed out that under state law, the only recourse for any allegations of ethics breach was a recall, Councilman Jerry Lukkasson's wife Michelle cried out "November 25th!" (Silly woman! In her haste to pull recall papers on the Mayor, she doesn't even realize that Town Hall is not open on that day because of the holiday.)

Perhaps pandering to advertiser pressure, wanna be journalist Shanana "Rain" Golden-Bear stated that she was putting the next issue of her free campfire kindling to bed, and for now, would be scaling back her print coverage of Town politics...and then went on to post a lengthy internet dissertation with her biased spin on the meeting. You didn't really believe she could keep her anti Foster opinions to herself now, did you?

Foster allowed supports and critics alike to speak their mind and now (in my opinion) has ample prima facie evidence against his critics to seek possible criminal prosecution in addition to civil damages. Thousands of dollars have reportedly been raised by outraged citizens in the hope that Mayor Foster will use the donations to sue Taft, Gilbert, and the Councilpersons as individuals since Foster has vowed to not sue the Town for the actions of it's officials. The meeting was finally forced to conclude when Al Johnson announced that the timer for the air conditioning would be shutting the system down in five minutes. I'm just impressed it could keep pace with all the hot air as long as it did!

It should also be noted that earlier in the day, the Council held a work session to discuss vendor permits and requirements. Although no action is to be taken this season, Building Official Al Johnson wants the permits changed from the current annual renewal to a permit that would expire every 180 days. This would effectively align the vendor's "temporary structures"  with the current definition contained within the Town Building Code, and Johnson could then use the permit records to target long term vendors for citations. Mayor Foster took a stand for the vendors, stating that they might feel short changed, whether they intended to stay and create revenue or not. Police Chief Jeff Gilbert stated something to the effect that "we should not live our lives for the vendors".  The La Paz County Health Dept. was in attendance and proposed a plethora of new regulations for the food vendors. These proposals were not actually rejected and may possibly be put into effect for the following winter season...that is, if the currently recalled Council members are not removed from office and replaced with "vendor friendly" candidates. So vendors, make your presence felt this winter and attend the meetings!

REFERENDUM - It's official!

All the desperate maneuvers by Taft and the Town Council have been for naught, Foster will be a fully empowered mayor at the next Council meeting and I predict that heads are gonna roll...

Earlier today the signatures were turned in that effectively repeals the spiteful actions of Alex Taft and the Quartzsite Town Council until the voters decide. After the childish and selfish behavior by Lizzarraga, Wislow, Anderson, Lukkasson, Cowell, Taft and Walsma in their transparent attempt at usurping the legal and rightful powers of Mayor Ed Foster, the citizens were so outraged that the number of signatures easily exceeded that which was required. This was no small feat when you consider that the number is calculated as a percentage of voters in the last regular election. In other words, more signatures were required than for any initiative or referendum in the entire history of the Town, and despite a large number of voters having departed for cooler climates, Foster supporters will be reckoned with.

This leaves the council two choices: either they can rescind the motions amending Town Code, the Town Policy Manual and the protocol for information requests, or they can let the voters have their say at the ballot box. If the voters prevail, it will be "the law of the land" and carry more legal weight than any actions taken by those officials who are supposed to be representing them.

This move should come as no surprise to Town officials, as they were directly advised of the consequences for voting to strip the mayor's position of it's authority at the Council meeting at which Foster was eventually sworn in. Our self serving and arrogant "leaders" have proven that the will of their constituents means nothing to them. How anyone with an IQ over 40 can stand by them now is incomprehensible. Did they really think they could pull it off? I for one can't wait to see Ed assert the power given to him by the people.

Tuesday's Council meeting should be a real show. Come early to get a good seat! The verdict has been handed down by the jury, and the ruling is not in favor of Taft and her dancing puppets.

MEET THE CANDIDATES RECAP

Last night's "Meet the Candidates" event at the Quartzsite Senior Center was the best show in Town. Of course, the FACT that incumbent Councilman Kelley's wife Carol runs the center had many anticipating a rigged Q & A...

The stars of the show, more or less in the order of appearance:

Appointed incumbent Patricia Anderson was inarticulate and befuddled as usual

Deena Blythe admitted to the felony charges (in front of her parents no less) when asked directly!!! She never actually denied lying, but insisted "I did nothing wrong" (after bragging that she was the only candidate that would tell the truth - HAH!)

Chaunce Hamilton was humble and well received.

What Bob Kelly lacked in specifics, he made up for in volume, while insisting that he recused himself from voting on conflict of interest issues (no denial about influencing the vote of the others though...)

Erik Larson failed to appear and the word around Town is that he was shook down and scared off by the powers that be at Town Hall...

Jose Lizarraga defended the rate increase - too bad, so sad, not a good campaign strategy to endorse such an unpopular policy change

Jerry Lukkasson claimed that he was not getting preferential treatment on his business construction, but no mention of how he rose to power so quickly

Bill Moore was was concise and asked the people to decide his fate, now that the majority will actually be in Town to vote

Russell Sias made a good showing, pro vendor and pro "snowbird" but needs to elaborate on planned high tech solutions to tele conferencing over the weeks of unbearably hot summer weather

Brad Trainer neither wowed nor offended and still holds more promise than any of the current regime



As far as the Mayor's race candidate responses:

Former Councilman Hal Davidson confessed to having only a high school education with a trade certificate, and focused on his cost cutting plans.

Ed Foster cleared the air over filing a writ of mandamus to get the incumbent council to abide by the law.
http://www.quartzsitenews.tv/news.htm
And seemed to be the favorite, if you are polling by the number of cars in the parking lot with his campaign signs.

Bumbling appointed "mayor" Wes Huntley publicly admitted to having only a seventh grade education!!! As if it weren't blatantly obvious by the fact that he could neither read, nor understand, nor answer the questions put before him. He lost any remaining chance of re election by promising lots more out of town retreats (vacations to casinos). He did disclose inside knowledge about a secret land development deal that may be on the horizon, but failed to elaborate...makes you wonder who's going to reap the potential profits!

Charlie Kukral made a good showing with his knowledge of finances and he has a like able demeanor.



After the mayoral climax, Town Manager Alex Taft was overheard chastising the moderator for making "mayor" Huntly look like an idiot...sorry to have to point this out to Ms. Taft but Huntly does that all by himself. As a former 1-800 number fortune teller, Taft should have seen it coming...

As a final note, the PAC money raised by Former Town Manager Dan Field and his protege current Town Manager Alex Taft (and her cronies) appears to be wasted. The effort to keep the incumbent appointee PUPPETS is going down like the Titanic, as being associated with "mayor" Huntly after his debacle last night will surely sink the chances of the standing council members. Citizens are poised to take back control of their Town. Revolution is in the air and I wouldn't want to be the Police Chief when the dust settles...gee, the poor delusional man actually believes that he's running the town behind the scenes. Of course, it's rumored that he registered to vote with a Rainbow Acres street address but a town zip code...so, will Vederman go after him with the same enthusiasm that he's prosecuting Deena Blythe with?

Quartzsite Town Council kicks residents while they're down...

At last nights regular meeting of the Quartzsite Town Council, building official Al Johnson's proposal to add a one time connection fee for both water and sewer was voted in. Only Councilman Jose Lizarraga voted in opposition. This additional charge comes in the wake of a steep rate increase for water and sewer that was voted in unanimously at the last regular meeting of the Town Council. As Councilman Lizarraga pointed out "Why are we charging to inspect a hole in the ground? We are already paying his wages and gas...shouldn't we be giving the people something in return?".

This departure from asking all the right questions and then voting in favor of every bad idea put forth by Town Manager Alex Taft and her cohorts came as a surprise to many. Is Councilman Lizarraga growing a backbone, or is this just pre election lip service to curry favor with angry residents who may show their outrage at the polls on March 9th?