Say it isn't so, Mr. O

This is the face of a traitor.


Apparently, Pat Workman is the only member of the council that can't be bought. Quartzsite's rogue councilman Mark Orgeron seems to have pulled off his back room deal with scary Jerry and the neo cabal to swap Ms Graft for Chief Dilbert. After a three hour executive session with a new attorney, all but Workman voted to reinstate El Jeffe as supreme jack booted thug. Marty the Bagger, Graft and lil' Al were not in attendance at today's regularly scheduled meeting of the common council. Reportedly, Orgeron admonished the chief to stay out of politics.  Yeah, like that's going to work!

Gilbert is currently the subject of a DPS investigation for pulling a gun on the husband of local activist and publisher Jennifer Jones.

All of this comes on the heels of an unapproved $70,000 voter fraud investigation

and another scathing DPS report, not to mention the town's insurance provider having a meltdown and sending a notice to the town that they don't intend to extend current coverage  past the end of the year. At this rate, they'll be lucky they don't get cancelled sooner.

Orgeron had deceived Foster and Workman into putting him on their campaign signs and in their mailer, but threw the opposition party under the bus as soon as he was seated. He has now defaulted on his campaign promise to fire Gilbert. The angry villagers are already crying "RECALL"!

Gilbert gets canned!

Today, the Quartzsite fired Police Chief Jeff Gilbert. See official Town press release below.
 http://www.ci.quartzsite.az.us/Support%20Docs/Press%20Release%20Chief.html

Listen to what the attorney who incorporated Quartzsite has to say about the recent turn of events.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/demandjusticinquartzsiteaz/2012/09/12/demand-justice-in-quartzsite-az

In other news, the council adjourned the remaining meeting agenda items until 2 pm tomorrow because the drawn out executive session to appoint an interim town manager did not go smoothly - judging by the looks on their faces when they came out of the back room anyway. The TRO and Show Cause hearings were dismissed this afternoon. Guess the Bagger couldn't 'splain his conficts of interest without risking the Burke would be etically required to file a BAR complaint against him.

They eat their own

This week has been cabal cannibal carnage. The appetizers were soooo tasty. 4 star, really. I wonder who the main course will be?






We gleefully witnessed the breakup of the Taft/Gilbert alliance, and today, a crowded town council meeting witnessed the town mismanager sent home on administrative leave. Buh bye!

Jennifer Jones arrested in Quartzsite Post Office!

The Desert Freedom Press Publisher Jennifer Jones was arrested Friday afternoon in the Quartzsite Post Office by Sergeant Xavier Frausto and Police Chief Jeff Gilbert. Jones states that she repeatedly asked them what the charge was, but they refused to tell her.  Later, she finally learned that she had been charged with felony witness tampering, over an unsubstantiated allegation made by a woman named Denise Florian.

Florian, who admits to having a drug and alchohol problem moved to Quartzsite over the summer and was almost immediately appointed to the town personnel board to oversee the appeal hearings of the Quartzsite police officers wrongfully terminated over the summer. She was subsequently appointed to the town Health and Development Board which then made recommendations to the council about how much money to give the Senior Center, Museum, and Chamber of Commerce.

According to Jones, Florian had assaulted her in a severly drunken state a few weeks earlier at a local restaurant. For obvious reasons, the Jones did not call the police as Jennifer was not injured and the police have not protected them in the past.

In a video conferenced appearance, Judge Karen Slaughter set Jones ' bail at $10,000 Because she had a statement from Florian claiming to be in fear for her life. Jones states that she reminded Judge Slaughter that bail was only to assure your appearance and that tha Constitution prohibited excessive bail, but Slaughter told her that if she didn't like it, she could wait in jail until they found her another judge. Slaughter made headlines for another controversial ruling this summer when she ordered Republican Precinct Committeman Michael Roth's guns taken away for calling Councilman "Machine Gun Joe" Winslow a "turd".

Jones made bail Saturday evening and states that an official press release would be forthcoming. Just remember, you heard it here first!

"Two Quartzsite chalk taggers arrested for criminal damage"

http://www.kswt.com/story/15574877/quartzsite

Story by Ruth Castillo, Reporter

Quartzsite, Arizona September 28, 2011 - Town workers in Quartzsite discovered tagging early Tuesday morning.




"Early morning about 7:30, some of the employees from the town of Quartzsite arrived at Town Hall, they discovered some tagging that had been done across the courtyard and the area entering town hall," says Quartzsite Police Chief Jeff Gilbert.



Onsite cameras caught the action.



"In viewing the video surveillance recording, they identified two persons involved in the tagging the night before," says Chief Gilbert.



46-year-old Michael Roth and 58-year-old Dana Stadler of Quartzsite were arrested and booked into La Paz County Jail on 12 counts of criminal damage. Roth says he's fed up with Quartzsite Town government.



"After a long train of abuses, I finally decided that I'm going to exercise my First Amendment rights, which they hadn't allowed me over maybe years now," says Roth. "I've been arrested several times for just simply speaking uncomfortable truths of power and they won't let anybody discuss anything in town hall meetings."



Roth says he wanted to express himself.



"So what I did was took some chalk that I bought from Walmart and I simply put words that they didn't like on the concrete that's leading up to Town Hall and I got arrested for it," says Roth.



Although he admits to the tagging, Roth sees nothing criminal about it.



"There was no damage. I wrote it in chalk. They used a hose to clean it up. It took all of 15 seconds to wash this away and there was no damage," says Roth. "I though this was and still believe this is a perfectly legal way to voice your displeasure with an out of control local government."



However, Chief Gilbert calls it a hate crime.



"Most of it were hate-associated messages," says Chief Gilbert. "One writing said 'Death to the [Town] Council,' another said 'Hang them all.' There's one that says "Hang [Chief] Gilbert.' And most of them contained swastika symbols on the things that written."



Kswt News 13 questioned Roth's use of a symbolassociated with Nazi Germany and white supremicists. When asked what he meant to say when he scribed a swastika alongside the letters QPD, Roth said the Quartzsite Police are out of control.



"Well, I do obviously because I wrote it. I mean, what is more Nazi than to have police departments come out and attack political opponents, to try to silence political opponents, to jail political opponents?" said Roth.



Chief Gilbert questioned Roth's Freedom of speech defense.



"It's interesting that [Roth] didn't come in at 8 o'clock in the morning when Town Hall was open in daylight hours and both these individuals used the cover of darkness, you know, to come in when nobody was there when Town Hall was closed and do this tagging," said Gilbert.

OK, so I admit, it's not a Julian Beever masterpeice, but they're both just as temporary!

Temporary restraining order stays, case moves to federal court

Judge Randolph Bartlett allowed todays hearing to move forward, despite Justin Pierce of Jackson Lewis, the attorney for the town of Quartzsite asking the temporary restraining order to be thrown out, claiming that  employee versus employer agreements cannot be intervened in in such a manner. After about 20 or so minutes of riveting testimony by Sgt Will Ponce, the attorney for the town asked to approach the bench. Judge Barltett announced that they were excercising their right to move the case to federal court. He ordered that the papers be submitted in ten days and that the temporary restraiing order will remain in place.

No cameras or other recording devices were alowed, so if you want the transcript, you'll have to pay La Paz County for the CD.
http://www.kswt.com/story/15280504/quartzsite-officers-tro-case-maybe-heard-by-federal-judge

Brewer passes the buck on treason, while QPOA police officers on "house arrest"

Quartzite officials have become enemies of the Republic. When officers no longer have the right to remain silent, citizens cannot speak, there is no due process with the building official and enforcement of town codes and ordinances, equal treatment and equal protection have long gone by the wayside, town officials have committed TREASON!

 People are apparently receiving the following letter from Governor Jan Brewer's office:

The Governor’s Office of Constituent Services is in receipt of your email received July 13, 2011.  We are responding on behalf of Governor Brewer.

Thank you for contacting the Governor’s Office to express your concerns regarding the current situation in Quartzsite, AZ.  As you may know, the Governor does not have the authority to intervene in local law enforcement matters.  Nor does this office have the authority to investigate misconduct by the police, county jails, federal prisons, and/or judges.

We understand that you have filed a complaint with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.  The Attorney General is the appropriate office to investigate allegations of Open Meeting Law violations.   We trust that their office will respond to your complaint in a timely manner.  For your convenience, we are providing their direct contact information.

Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne

Office of the Attorney General

1275 West Washington Street

Phoenix, AZ 85007-2926

602.542.5025

1.800.352.8431

Fax 602.542.4085

Website: www.azag.gov

In addition, complaints against law enforcement officers are filed with the Arizona Peace Officers Standard and Training Board (AZ POST), which is under the jurisdiction of the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS).  If you have not already, we suggest you contact the AZ POST to submit a formal complaint for review.  Once the complaint is received by their office, the investigation process begins.  The length of the investigation varies depending on the circumstances surrounding the case.  Upon completion, the AZ POST will then forward the results of its investigation to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, which has the authority to take action as deemed appropriate by their office.  For your convenience, we are providing the contact information for the AZ POST. 

Arizona Peace Officers Standard and Training (AZ POST) Board

2643 E. University Drive

Phoenix, AZ 85034

Voice: 602.223.2514

Fax: 602.244.0477

Website: http://www.azpost.state.az.us/

Thank you again for contacting the Governor’s Office.  We trust our response fully addresses your concerns. 

Sincerely,
L. Lerma
Director, Constituent Services


/s/
Arizona Governor's Office
Constituent Services

www.azgovernor.gov


In the meantime, all members of the Quartzsite Police Officers have been put on paid administrative leave, and Assistant Town misManager Al Jognson is in charge of investigating whether or notit was an ethical breach of town policy to blow the whistle on Chief Gilbert. Clearly, the Constution appears to be suspended within town limits!

Media clamors for interviews, Police Chief receives hate mail?

Alex Jones, Ernest Hancock, Mark Skoda, Tom Gambill - the radio talk show hosts have been interviewing Mayor Ed Foster and Jennifer Jones over the June 28th "call to the public" incident.

CBS Ch 5 news, the Arizona Republic, the Arizona Independent - everyone wants to know what the heck is wrong with Quartzsite officials. We wish we had an answer for that!


Links are apparently being added to http://thedesertfreedompress.blogspot.com every couple of hours.

In an attempt to declare martial law or something, Mayor Ed Foster reports that state officials were contacted by Police Chief Jeff Gilbert because he has reported receiving death threats. Stay tuned...

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"...

Better late than never!

The DESERT FREEDOM PRESS has just announced the following press release:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BREAKING NEWS! Quartzsite Police Chief Jeff Gilbert SCANDAL!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5/31/11 Quartzsite, Arizona Police Chief Jeff Gilbert is struggling desperately to maintain his position after three quarters of his own officers filed formal complaints against him with Arizona Conference of Police and Sheriffs (AZCOPS) and Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (AZPOST). The timing of these complaints appears to be in response to evidence and testimony expected to be revealed in currently pending lawsuits against the town and the ongoing criminal prosecution of citizens who have a documented history of complaining about the police chief's patterns and practices. Now that Governor Brewer has signed  a bill which amends A.R.S. 14 - 1822  and allows AZPOST to revoke an officers certification, many citizens and law enforcement officers are hoping that's the least of what happens to Jeff Gilbert. A former officer with the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT), Gilbert is also a current legislative member of the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police (AACOP) Allegations have been made against Quartzsite's Police Chief for both criminal conduct and ethical violations of the town's personnel manual. They range from assault, illegal searches and arrests, surveillance and investigation of political opponents, "official police business" being conducted without reports filed, false reporting, and grant fraud, to abuse of National Crime Information Center (NCIC) background checks for personal use and/or without probable cause. La Paz County Republican Precinct Chairman Michael Roth maintains he was falsely arrested for "disorderly conduct" and placed on the FBI "terrorist watch list" for his outspoken criticism of Police Chief Jeff Gilbert. After being notified that officers of the Quartzsite Police Department intend to publicly announce a vote of "no confidence", read their formal complaints and ask the Town Council to terminate Chief Gilbert's recently renewed contract for "cause" at the next regular meeting of the Common Council on June 14th, Mayor Ed Foster has now scheduled a special meeting for Wednesday, June 1st at 6 pm, to discuss the situation. The police chief's current contract, which included additional pay raises, was prematurely renewed on February 8th, 2011 by unanimous council approval, after Mayor Foster recused himself from the meeting. Foster wanted no part of what he believed was an orchestrated plot by Town Manager Alexandra Taft to secure ongoing employment for Gilbert, before the majority of the Quartzsite Town Council faced a March recall election. All five political challengers wanted Chief Gilbert terminated, but narrowly missed in their attempt to unseat recalled incumbents. Rather than have the officer's complaints investigated at no charge by the Major Crimes Division of the state police, Town Manager Alex Taft has instead chosen to hire a private firm, in what appears to be a pattern of damage control and cover up. Last spring, it was rumored that a friend of Chief Gilbert's at the Sheriff's office was specifically requested to investigate complaints made to AZPOST by Mayor Ed Foster, former Councilman Bill Moore, and businesswoman Jennifer Jones (Harris). This assignment was alleged to be the result of a deal struck between Taft, Gilbert, and La Paz County Sheriff Don Lowery. Lowery had also refused to investigate the assault complaint made by Jones against Police Chief Jeff Gilbert and Quartzsite Detective Felipe Rodriguez on April 13th of 2010, despite the video being posted to Youtube. A recent  town council candidate with no prior criminal history, Jennifer Jones has been arrested three times, and charged with a total of 10 misdemeanors since filing her AZPOST complaint. Her husband John was also arrested over the same incidents, and charged with three misdemeanors. Neither has been brought to trial. The police chief compared Mrs. Jones and Michael Roth to Tucson gunman Jarrod Laughner at the January 11th Quartzsite Council Meeting. After a year and a half of contriving criminal complaints that didn't hold water, the Police Chief finally arrested the mayor May 10th, on charges of "disorderly conduct". Apparently, the result of Foster calling Gilbert an "idiot" five days earlier in the parking lot of Town Hall. The rift between Chief Gilbert's supporters and numerous critics runs deep.  La Paz County Prosecutor Sam Vederman has repeatedly refused to insert his office into the political fray. Pending the results of the current AZCOPS/AZPOST investigation, many in the community are now hoping that the FBI and Justice Department will take a serious look into Quartzsite corruption. For more information, contact: Mayor Ed Foster (928) 750-8113 Michael Roth, La Paz County Republican Precinct Chairman (602) 791-5401 AZCOPS http://www.azcops.org/ 333 W Ft Lowell Rd Ste 211 Tucson AZ 85705 Office 520.622.2215 (24/7) Toll Free 888.622.2215 Fax 520.622.2216 AZPOST http://www.azpost.gov/index.htm 2643 E. University Drive Phoenix, AZ 85034 Voice: 602.223.2514 Fax: 602.244.0477 AACOP http://azchiefsofpolice.org/ 75 East Civic Center Drive Gilbert, Arizona 85296 Office - 480-635-7757 FAX - 480-635-7761 "Quartzsite Police Chief Gilbert assaults man for videotaping "           http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBwCW9gX2jg&feature=related "...Gilbert's warning to town council" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zHOlbYWHdo&feature=related "...Mayor and Publisher arrested" http://quartzsitearizona.blogspot.com/2011/05/politically-assisted-suicide-mayor-and.html Jennifer "Jade" Jones Publisher, The DESERT FREEDOM PRESS (928) 575-6594 News you can use for La Paz County, AZ! http://thedesertfreedompress.blogspot.com/

DFP publisher Jones arrested after suing for police harassment!

Tuesday night's public meeting with the BLM and SolarReserve was crowded, informative, and constantly disrupted by the Quartzsite Police. 

Apparently, on her way into the meeting, Mrs. Jones was approached by QPD Sgt. Xavier Frausto (husband of the town magistrate) who wanted her to sign a citation for "simulating legal process".

A. R.S. § 13-2814

A. A person commits simulating legal process if such person knowingly sends or delivers to another any document falsely purporting to be an order or other document that simulates civil or criminal process.

B. Simulating legal process is a class 2 misdemeanor. 

Ms. Jones walked past Sgt. Frausto, and into Quartzsite Town Hall. When Jones refused to sign the citation in front of a crowded room of witnesses, Frausto reportedly tried to hand her the citation to which Jones responded "I'm not interested in anything that comes from you" and she took a seat. Quartzsite police approached her husband John with a citation for the same offense. Sgt. Frausto told him if he refused, the citation would be sent in the mail.

Witnesses report that Mrs. Jones got up from her seat in the second row and walked to where her husband was sitting in the back of the room. From halfway across the room and as she passed the rows of chairs, Jones gave "the finger" to Starr Bearcat, whom she believed had been actively filming the interaction between Quartzsite Police and the Jones', and who previously posted numerous false comments and defamatory videos about them on 

http://www.youtube.com/user/QWatchingEyes

Mrs. Jones spoke briefly with her husband and sat back down in her seat.

As the meeting began, John  was approached by QPD Officer Herlen Yeomans. Yeomans told John that if he refused to sign, he had been instructed by the sergeant to arrest him. John reports that he then asked to see the law he had allegedly broken, but when he followed Yeomans outside he was handcuffed.

Frausto and Yeomans escorted Jones to the unmarked black QPD SUV. Discussion ensued between the three, and Yeomans asked Frausto if Jones could sign the citation. Jones informed the officers that his wife had filed a lawsuit against Police Chief Jeff Gilbert, Town Manager Alexandra Taft, and the incorporated town for police harassment days earlier, and that Taft had been served several hours before the meeting. Jones was released, he signed the citation, and did not return to the meeting.

During the meeting, QPD officers brought Mrs. Jones her husbands wallet, and repeatedly tried to lure her outside to speak with her husband "before he went to jail" but she refused to speak, or leave with them. 

When the meeting ended, Mrs. Jones tried unsuccessfully to reach her attorney by phone. She then handed her belongings to Mayor Ed Foster and told him "Don't bail me out". 

Reportedly, as Jones tried to leave the room, she was handcuffed by Quartzsite Police Chief Jeff Gilbert, who had arrived on the scene and was blocking her exit. When she asked what she was under arrest for, Gilbert responded "I'll tell you later". Jones called out to the crowd "Hey everybody! These fine gentleman are refusing to tell me what I'm under arrest for!" She then asked Gilbert "Does this have anything to do with the lawsuit I served on you earlier today?" He responded "You didn't serve me." and Jones informed him "I served the town." She was then escorted through town offices to a cell in the back of town hall before being transferred to the La Paz County jail.

The next day, Mrs. Jones, who has no prior convictions, was released on her own recognizance by Judge Michael Newman.

The Jones case in County Superior Court is # CV201100065

and claims damages for "harassment and intentional infliction of emotional distress".

Duh! Do you think?

Desert Messenger photographer files false charges againt candidate!

A "bearcat" or binturong is basically a big angry weasel.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binturong

Besides being the photographer for the local tabloid "Desert Messenger" who, or for that matter what Starr Bearcat is...well that's still anybody's guess.
Who or what he/she was before changing his/her name to Starr Bearcat is a mystery. What is Bearcat's real name? Did Bearcat really serve on a navy ship? Why did  Bearcat refuse to clear up the gender question under oath last fall in the La Paz County Justice Court, even after Judge Newman repeatedly referred to "that man as Ms. Bearcat"? Was Bearcat a felon? Was Bearcat a child molester? Was Bearcat a sexual predator? Was Bearcat a drug dealer, armed robber, arsonist or maybe even the person who sent the Quartzsite mayor a death threat? If you know any information about Mr./Ms. Bearcat, please contact the FBI in Phoenix or post it here as a comment. And by the way, who was Shananna "Rain" Goldenbear before she had to change her name and leave Oregon for a fresh start. Do they have a history of trouble before landing in Quartzsite? Inquiring minds want to know!

What is known is Bearcat's close relationship with Police Chief Jeff Gilbert. Bearcat has written several statements supporting investigations conducted by Gilbert and the QPD. Bearcat appears to have access to information that should be privileged, or available only to someone with access to restricted databases, like the chief.

The following letter was reportedly sent to several sources, including La Paz County Prosecutor Sam Vederman and QPD imperious leader Jeff Gilbert:

Statement RE: Case # 11-00164

Dear Mr. Vederman,

On February 16^th, 2011, Sgt. Xavier Frausto initiated an investigation against me because of a sworn statement made by Starr Bearcat, photographer for The Desert Messenger. This is the second violation of A.R.S. 13-2907.01 (two false statements) made by Starr Bearcat to the QPD against me in the last six months. Please refer to the criminal complaint filed against Starr Bearcat and Shanana “Rain” Goldenbear with La Paz County Sheriff Lucas, case #101000713 on October 28^th, 2010.

Bearcat’s statement references a prior conversation and accuses me of claiming to not pay taxes because it was unconstitutional. Not only is this hearsay, but also I have never discussed my personal financial disposition with Starr Bearcat. However, now that I am lawfully running for office, I am open to public scrutiny and I will therefore openly admit that I live below the poverty level, but in America, even the poor can run for public office.

Bearcat claims that I “refuse to abide by the Town’s laws and ordinances” because I am “operating three businesses without licenses”. This is also false and completely unsubstantiated. I hold a valid town vendor permit for “pet grooming and pet sitting” DBA “A Fur Salon”. No other license has been proven to be required and I have never been fined for operating any business in Quartzsite without a license, ever. This is either my tenth or eleventh season as a seasonal service business vendor in Quartzsite.

Further, Bearcat states that I have been given an eviction notice “for violating the zoning laws”. Also, completely untrue. I have never been convicted of violating any Quartzsite, La Paz County, Arizona, or Federal law.

I leased the back lot of J & S Covers for the 2010-2011 season from property owner Jim Aaron in June of 2010 when I groomed his ShihTzu “Rio”, shortly before my previous vendor permit at “Greasewood” expired on June 30^th, 2010. “Greasewood” is a mobile home park doing business as a swap meet. It is on record in the La Paz County Justice Court, Quartzsite Division, that I leased part of that property, after I became a resident of Quartzsite. As near as can be documented, my residency commenced on 10-6-09, although it may actually have been the end of September ‘09. At that time, I did not realize the subsequent length of my stay would eventually require me to declare Arizona residency.

Although I had been residing in Quartzsite for about six months out of the year, over the past six or seven years, I was not even aware that I had actually become a resident of Quartzsite, until the late spring of 2010. When Quartzsite Police Chief Jeff Gilbert and Town Manager Alex Taft initiated an investigation into the residency of then candidates Chaunce Hamilton and Russell Sias I had the opportunity to view documents related to that investigation, provided to Mr. Sias by your office. I then did an internet search and found information which stated something to the effect that I needed to have an identification from the MVD if I had been in Arizona for 7 months during any calendar year. Because my stay in AZ was no longer “temporary” or “transitory” and because as of June I intended to be “domiciled” in Quartzsite for more than 7 months of the 2010 calendar year, I acquired an Arizona ID at my first available opportunity, on June 1^st, 2010.

On the MVD application, there is a box you can check which states, “Are you a United States citizen who wished to register to vote or update your existing voter registration?” So I did.

On June 8^th, 2010, I served the Town of Quartzsite with a legal Notice of Claim resulting from Police Chief Jeff Gilbert’s assault on my husband and subsequent harassment by his officers under Duty Sergeant Xavier Frausto. Upon the advice of my attorney, I did not make a public appearance in Quartzsite for several weeks, until the time for their legal opportunity to respond had expired.

Over the summer, outraged citizens recalled the council members I am currently pursuing a civil claim against. My friends asked if I would consider running for town council. I told them that I would, if I was eligible. I surrendered my old driver’s license to the MVD on 10-28-10 , and filed to run 1-6-11.

If the investigating officer, Sergeant Xavier Frausto had done his “due diligence”, he would have discovered the fact that I have never registered to vote in Oklahoma or filed a state tax return as a resident of Oklahoma, or even operated any business in the state of Oklahoma, ever. I have not “re-established residency in Oklahoma” as he asserts in his report. Rather, I relinquished all ties to a part time vacation address, where I used to be a summer caretaker.

I believe that all statements sworn to on my Arizona Nonpartisan Nomination Paper Affidavit of Qualification are factually true and were true when I swore to them. I am now, and have been for at least one year prior to the election, a resident of Quartzsite, Arizona. Based on the evidence, no reasonable person would have cause to believe otherwise.

Additionally, because these false allegations involve an election issue, the complaint by Starr Bearcat should have been immediately turned over to La Paz County for investigation. The Quartzsite Police Department was not the proper investigative authority and a serious conflict of interest exists due to ongoing civil and criminal matters between my husband and I, and the QPD that have not been yet been resolved.

If you intend to pursue this matter further, convene a grand jury and get a warrant this time.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Jones


It appears that Vederman may have actually convened a grand jury today and QPD Sergeant Xavier Frausto may have testified, but nobody at the county will disclose whether or not candidate Jones case was heard. Speculation is that incumbents are desperate to discredit yet another qualified and popular challenger and these underhanded tactics only serve to prove that the current council can't possibly win if they play fair and just stick to the facts.

Quartzsite's rats leave the sinking council meeting

 

Just when you think you've seen it all, the Quartzsite Town Council still pulls off a surprise. Everyone managed to get through Pat Anderson's phony spiel about the peaceful passing of Rosalee Oldham Wheeler "in her sleep" (I guess nobody told her about the blood on the pillow or the requested autopsy), they survived Rain's endless diatribe about Centennial activities nobody cares about. They even made it through the carefully orchestrated attempt by Lukkason, Anderson and Winslow to get a dig in at Mayor Foster by adding their snide remarks that he should have recused himself from the executive session over the air strip battle to the official minutes of the last regular meeting. It almost seemed as if the meeting could be conducted by grown ups. But it only took about two minutes for the whole thing to disintegrate into  preschool without nap time.

At "call to the public", current Candidate for Town Council Jennifer Jones informed our illustrious leaders that Police Chief Jeff Gilbert had violated Arizona Revised Statute 41-772 and Article 2, section 202 of the town employees policies and procedures manual by comparing candidate Jones and Michael Roth (the Republican Party Chairman for La Paz County) to Tucson  gunman Jared Lee Loughner during "reports and anouncements" at the previous meeting. "Politicking" on public time is a no no!

A class 1 misdemeanor, A. R. S. 41-772 states:

  "an employee shall not engage in any activity permitted by this section while on duty, while in uniform or at public expense. "

and 

"An employee who violates any of the provisions of this section shall be subject to suspension of not less than thirty days or dismissal."

When Jones asked that Chief Gilbert be placed on administrative leave until the March 8th recall election to assist him in his apparent aspirations as wannabe pundit alongside Skip Gallup, the members of the town council came unglued. "Point of order!" "That's a personal attack!" Then Councilman Bob Kelley stormed out of the room with Councilman Jerry Lukkason close behind. Finally, Councilman Winslow has a tantrum and went to join the other rats in the back room. Because Vice Mayor Barbara Cowell was absent, this meant no quorum was present , forcing an abrupt end to the meeting which left citizens stunned and the Police Chief noticeably deprived of the opportunity to pontificate endlessly while his boot lickers gaze adoringly. For once, it seems as if a citizen almost had the last word.

Taxpayers foot bill for political persecution by Town Council and Police Chief

At the QIA "town  meeting" where 5 members of the Quartzsite Town Council held an illegal quorum  with several Town employees in attendance, it was revealed that the "ad hoc" attack on popular Mayor Ed Foster cost "$13,000" in legal fees alone. 

Yesterday, local patriot and critic of incumbent council members Mike Roth was sentenced to one year unsupervised probation for "disrupting a public meeting" that was actually in recess (but the jury wasn't properly instructed of that fact). The lower court had previously dismissed the charges "in the interest of justice" but somehow Quartzsite Police Chief Jeff Gilbert managed to convene a grand jury to try Roth in Superior Court. Roth is appealing the conviction and the jury was hung on the charge of "resisting arrest", which has been moved back to the lower court. Estimated cost so far is somewhere between $10,000 and 15,000 and climbing. 

When questioned about the sentencing,  Roth stated "If the good people of Quartzsite would like to really see justice served, disband the Quartzsite Police Department and elect a Constitutional Town Council that has the courage to fire Chief of Police Jeff Gilbert. The day will come when it will be revealed that this was nothing more than a sad attempt by an out of control police chief, and Town Council, at silencing someone who is merely questioning authority. Time to wake up people, this isn’t your Grandparents America anymore!" For in depth discussion, see: http://www.parkerliveonline.com/2010/10/12/conviction-in-quartzsite-council-disruption-case/#comments

Legal fees for Town Attorney Pam Walsma are so far over budget for the fiscal year that it is not unrealistic to predict her bills will eat up most, if not all of the monies in the general fund. Yet, the Town Council  just can't seem to stop themselves from digging a financial hole from which the town may not escape.

Last year, Mr Felton, owner of B10 campground on the west end of Main St.  protested action by then Mayor Wes Huntley and our current council. His attorney stated something to the effect "if you do this, we will sue". And sue they did. Currently, the case has been docketed for the Arizona Supreme Court.

A local businessman reached an out of court settlement for "police harassment" over the summer, but it was kept quiet.,

If Quartzsite loses it's insurance, it cannot keep it's incorporation. Currently, the town is in the "high risk" pool because of previous claims and the Arizona League of Cities and Towns provides coverage. Who is in charge of that? Why Mr. Simms, the nice man that came to the training session and warned the police chief about taking it upon himself to arrest people at Town Council meetings..."You might get sued!"

And speaking of getting sued, recent arrests of current candidate Jennifer Jones and husband John,  well as former candidate Russell Sias leave open the potential for additional legal fees far in excess of what the town can afford, and the citation against the Jones' landlord by "Building Official" Al Johnson opened the door for "Proposition 207, the Arizona Property Protection Act". This makes the town liable for ALL of Jim and Stephanie Aaron's legal fees regarding the property at 645 N. Central commonly known as "J & S Covers".

Outspoken critic of town officials Jerry Wilcox reports that charges against him which resulted in his arrest and the towing of his vehicle were dropped today. He is investigating the possibility of filing a claim against the Town for damages as well.

Former Mayor Richard Oldham reports that the Town appears to have retained an outside legal firm in the prop 207/eminent domain action against him, over his property located west of the "Main Event" on Main St. Oldham received a letter from this firm a couple of weeks ago.

Third retribution arrest in 5 days? What are they thinking?

Clearly, they are not.

Saturday morning as he paid for his propane at RV Pit Stop the husband of Council Candidate and Quartzsite vendor Jennifer Jones, was also arrested for false reporting to law enforcement over the Al Johnson Assault.

Now here's a funny thought...The Jones' did call 911, and they did speak with QPD Officers Norris and Schultz, but they never signed a statement! Neither did the three witnesses. 

So what exactly did they report falsely? Who investigated the allegations? What evidence will be entered against them? Or was this simply an attempt by Police Chief Jeff Gilbert to get fingerprints and run a background check on an opposition candidate?

If so, then he must have been awfully disappointed to find that  the Jones' had nothing in their background that could be used against them in the upcoming campaign. 

And what ever happened to Al Johnson? He wasn't at Tuesday night's meeting.  

The arrests of Jennifer and John Jones were clearly illegal. State law for arrests for misdemeanor offenses do not provide for warrantless arrest unless a crime is witnessed "in progress" or  unless related to a traffic violation.

13-3812. Examination of complainant; issuance of summons or warrant of arrest

13-3854. Arrest without a warrant

13-3853. Arrest prior to requisition

13-3903 Notice to appear and complaint 

 

Two arrested at Town Council Meeting

Russell Sias, manager of Crawford's Trailer Park was arrested for serving Police Chief Jeff Gilbert with the notice of Federal Injunction mentioned in the previous post. Sias, did not actually touch Gilbert with his hands, he only touched him with the legal documents he was officially serving for Jennifer Jones and this video clearly shows that Chief Gilbert (in civilian clothes) knew what was taking place when he invited Sias to serve him. Russell Sias plead "not guilty" to simple assault" and was released on his own recognizance Wednesday.

Before the meeting even began, Jones herself was arrested for allegedly filing a false report http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/ars/13/02907-01.htm&Title=13&DocType=ARS 

over the video taped criminal trespass, warrantless search and assault by the "Building Official" and obstructing Mr. Johnson's "government operations"http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/ars/13/02402.htm&Title=13&DocType=ARS.Jennifer Jone's bail was posted by a friend, and delivered by Mayor Ed Foster, who gave her a ride home along with an apology for the actions which transpired.

This scenario reminds me of of when Constable Paul Staudt served former Mayor Huntley with an official Notice of Claim  back in June, and Huntley responded by shoving the Constable hard, with both hands right in front of Chief Gilbert who refused to arrest Huntley.This only proves yet again that QPD won't recognize an assault, unless they want to cry victim...and that they should really read what's in the manilla envelope, before they rush headlong to prove it true!

New Quartzite Police misconduct videos

 Quartzsite Police Officers Fabiola Garcia and Ruben Villafania are  speaking in Spanish on the job, at Town Hall right before Michael Roth's arrest for "disorderly conduct". This is the video feed directly from officer Garcia's badge camera, as submitted into evidence at Roth's trial.

Quartzsite police violate AZ Constitution - SPEAK SPANISH ON JOB - The best home videos are here

Arizona Constitution

Article XXVIII

ARTICLE XXVIII. ENGLISH AS THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

1. English as the official language; applicability

Section 1. (1) In this article, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. "Government" includes all laws, public proceedings, rules, publications, orders,

actions, programs, policies, departments, boards, agencies, organizations and

instrumentalities of this state or political subdivisions of this state, as appropriate under the circumstances to a particular official action.

2. "Official action" includes the performance of any function or action on behalf of this state or a political subdivision of this state or required by state law that appears to present the views, position or imprimatur of the state or political subdivision or that binds or commits the state or political subdivision, but does not include:

(a) The teaching of or the encouragement of learning languages other than English.

(b) Actions required under the federal individuals with disabilities education act or other federal laws.

(c) Actions, documents or policies necessary for tourism, commerce or international trade.

(d) Actions or documents that protect the public health and safety, including law enforcement and emergency services.

3. Preserving and enhancing the role of the official language; right to use English

Section 3. A. Representatives of government in this state shall preserve, protect and enhance the role of English as the official language of the government of Arizona.

B. A person shall not be discriminated against or penalized in any way because the person uses or attempts to use English in public or private communication.

4. Official actions to be conducted in English

Section 4. Official actions shall be conducted in English.

 A phone call to the property owner confirmed that no authorization had been given for the Quartzsite Police to trespass at Crawford's Trailer Park and a criminal complaint is being drafted against Police Chief Jeff Gilbert as we speak!

And a late edition to the lineup is this video of Mayor Ed Foster enjoying Michael Roth's wash tub campfire, which warranted "a full response" from the Quartzsite Fire and Police Departments. QPD demanded entry, which was denied by Roth, who leases the property. Upon instruction by Police Chief Jeff Gilbert, Officer Yeomans of the QPD climbed atop the fire truck to photograph the inside of Roth's yard. When informed that photographing beyond "plain sight" had been ruled a Constitutional violation by the Supreme Court, Officer Yeomans immediately handed the camera to the fire fighter standing next to him, who continued with the illegal photography. In an interview with Quartzsite Constable Paul Staudt, Yeomans admitted he was just following Chief Gilbert's orders.

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.