Latest Ed Foster radio interview links

We laughed until we cried! This one really is a must listen interview. And a special shout out to Ernie for linking back to this blog!
http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Article/076129-2010-09-29-declare-your-independence-with-ernest-hancock-afternoon-september-29th-2010.htm

Mayor Ed Foster is witty, charming, and will give you a sound lesson in town government with his well researched talking points. Also featured is resident Michael Roth, former La Paz County Board of Supervisors candidate and local patriot.

part one
http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Uploads/000/Media/2010-09-29-ernie-a-pm.mp3

part two:
http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Uploads/000/Media/2010-09-29-ernie-b-pm.mp3

Sorry it took so long to post these! The antics at Town Hall have had me preoccupied.
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Quarzsite Council declares ANARCHY!

We are no longer a nation of laws was the message conveyed last night by all six members of the Quartzsite Town Council. They have now officially  placed themselves above the authority of the State of Arizona, the United States Supreme Court and the even the Supreme Law of the Land, the United States Constitution. It's as if they have anointed themselves as gods.

After being told repeatedly that Councilman "Dirty Laundry" Lukkasson's agenda items were in violation of numerous laws and published court rulings, as supported by documents personally submitted to them, the council members shrugged off the repeated warning that they had waved "executive protection" and were now personally liable for their actions. In a horrifying display of contempt after the meeting ended, Councilman "Machine Gun" Joe Winslow stated "I guess I'm just getting sued", as he laughed heartily with friends.


The bad news for both citizens and visitors is that with Mayor Foster as the only dissenting vote, your council voted to restrict citizens' free speech, and revoke business licenses without due process. So incoming vendors should be aware that a new legal aid coalition is being organized to provide assistance to any vendor or businessperson whose license is revoked while a paid member of said coalition. More on that subject as details become available .






Because Town mismanager Alex Taft had threatened the mayor with a $500 fine for allowing  citizens to speak "off topic" of things deemed to fall under the description of "town business",  Mayor Foster used his executive privilege to bypass both "reports and announcements" and "call to the public" until such time as he could consult with his attorney. Hey Ed, we don't have any confidence in Pamela Walsma's legal advice either. Isn't she being sued through her law firm for a million dollars for malfeasance in a private case not related to Quartzsite Town business? Where does Ms. "Graft" find these people anyway?

Quartzsite Vendors Under Attack!

Well, you had to see this coming...after the last minute "work session" when Mayor Foster was out of town, the new punitive proposals for this seasons incoming vendors was placed on tonight's agenda. Be there at 7:00 pm and see for yourselves what your Town Council thinks about "due process" and the Constitutional  "rights of the accused".

Also on tonight's agenda, a proposal to hijack the Mayor's lawful control of the meeting and give the invocation to a rotating list of local clergy. Like it or not, the law on this is clear and any request for "divine guidance" must be non denominational to the point that a "Christian" prayer which mentions "Jesus" is over the line. A brief moment of silence is acceptable, so here's a novel suggestion to our self serving officials, don't break the law on this one folks!

Our Police Chief has placed an item on tonight's agenda to put you in prison for 4 months, if you feed the wildlife. I wonder how he intends to collect the evidence required for a conviction...an image of Jeff crawling around the desert with a plastic baggie picking up coyote and hawk droppings for forensic analysis of "people food" does bring a smile to my face though. Way to earn that huge salary Jeff! By the way you overpaid moron, we already have a state law that says this is a "petty offense".
http://azleg.gov/ars/13/02927.htm

And topping my list for exposing the Town to another lawsuit is a proposal for your council to usurp the Mayor's authority and remove their critics from future meetings. The arrogance of this is beyond comprehension as the law is not only very clear, but the recent "training session" reinforced the rights of the citizen to protected "political speech" at  the meeting from which no citizen may legally be barred from attending. Even "disorderly conduct" under this limited forum may not exceed a $20 fine, according to "Decorum of Council Meetings" on the website for the League of Arizona Cities and Towns. I hope everyone is paying attention to the law - just bring $20 to the meetings in case you have to post your bond! See you tonight!

http://www.azleague.org/newsletr/connect/2007/0607/index.cfm?a=legal_corner

Decorum of Council Meetings


Each month, Jeri Kishiyama Auther, League staff attorney, will answer different legal questions that she receives from cities and towns. These questions are for general information only. If you, as a city or town elected official and employee, have a specific legal question, always check with your city or town attorney.

A frequent question from council members has to do with decorum and control of council meetings. Council members inquire about proper conduct at meetings, and whether the Council may sanction another Council member if a Council member disobeys parliamentary procedure or becomes disorderly during a meeting.

Surprisingly, an Arizona statute addresses this particular issue. A.R.S. § 9-234, originally adopted in 1901, states:

A. The common council shall judge the elections, qualifications and returns of its members. It may prescribe rules for the government of its proceedings, may punish any member or other person for disorderly conduct at any meeting of the council by a fine not exceeding twenty dollars, and by imprisonment until the payment of the fine, and with the concurrence of four councilmen may expel any member, but not a second time for the same cause. Emphasis added.

The foregoing statute allows a number of things, including adopting rules of procedure, punishing not only a Councilperson, but any "disorderly" person, by assessing a fine and imprisonment, or expulsion of the Councilperson from the meeting.

Some cities and towns have adopted ordinances for rules of procedure for public meetings. Examples include:

• No Council member may interrupt another Council member, except to make a point of order or of personal privilege. If the Council member continues to "break the rules" the presiding officer may call the Council member to order, at which time the Council member shall cease speaking, but may "appeal" the presiding officer's decision immediately to the entire Council. If the appeal is denied, the Council member shall remain silent. Further, the Council member is subject to censure "or other punishment as the Council, by a three-quarters vote, deems just and proper under the law." City of Phoenix Municipal Code, Sec. 2-60, Rule 6.

• The Mayor or Mayor Pro Tempore "shall preserve order and decorum, decide all questions of order and conduct the proceedings of the meetings … ." City of Scottsdale Municipal Code, Sec. 2-37.

• The Mayor shall preserve strict order and decorum at the meetings and may appoint a sergeant-at-arms at the Council meetings, whose responsibility is to carry out all orders and instructions given by the mayor for the purpose of maintaining order and decorum. The sergeant-at-arms has the authority to remove any person (including a Council member) who violates the order and decorum of the meeting. If a member of the public makes "personal, impertinent, or slanderous remarks, or who becomes boisterous while addressing the council, or who interferes with the order of business before the council, and who fails upon request of the mayor to cease the activity, shall be barred from further audience before the council for the remainder of that meeting unless permission to continue is granted by majority vote of the council." Official Code of the Town of Marana, Sec. 2- 4-3 and Sec. 2-4-7.

• The Mayor may assess a fine of not more than $25.001 upon any Council member for disorderly conduct at a Council meeting upon a concurring vote of three Council members, and the Council member may be imprisoned until payment of the fine. Additionally, any Council member may be expelled for any cause determined sufficient by the Council upon a vote of five Council members and the judgment of the Council as to the causes for fine or expulsion shall be conclusive (nonappealable). Official Code of the City of Mesa, Sec. 1-5-5

These examples range from "preserving decorum," to censure, to fines and imprisonment of both Council members and members of the public. Some municipalities allow appeals of the punishment, or punishment only upon vote of the Council, and in some ordinances, super majority votes. Short of adopting an ordinance, a Council could also choose to initiate a set of rules or Council procedures that would be agreed to by all members.

Common Council municipalities, which are the smaller municipalities, have A.R.S. § 9-234 as an available tool to preserve decorum of Council meetings without any implementing ordinance. Arizona case law does not exist regarding this particular clause of the statute. If your Council is unsure of how to exercise this statute, please consult your City or Town Attorney.

A.R.S. § 9-234 limits the fine to $20.00.



League of Arizona Cities and Towns

1820 W. Washington St.

Phoenix, AZ 85007

Phone: 602-258-5786

Fax: 602-253-3874

http://www.azleague.org

Desert Messenger defames pet groomer AGAIN (and again, and again...)

And Mayor Foster too!

After a restraining order hearing that lasted over three hours on Thursday afternoon through evening in the La Paz County Justice Court, Quartzsite Division,  Judge Newman announced that he would not rule on the evidence presented or motions made until next week because of the amount of material to be reviewed (including this blog). So, let's all give a warm welcome to our newest reader, Judge Newman! (sound of applause...we "may be seated".)

Claimant Shanana "Rain" Golden-Bear's most recent issue, page 4 which can be viewed online at: http://www.epageflip.net/title/6362 features a libelous and defamatory letter to "The People's Voice" by Violet Kiss' husband,  "Proud Quartzsite Resident" Ron Jones.

The letter states "People were appalled at the unacceptable behavior that was allowed from the podium at the last Town Meeting by Jennifer 'Jade' Harris [Jones]. Shame on her for that reprehensible behavior and shame on Mayor Foster for allowing it. By allowing this behavior, it appears the Mayor wants to incite hatred and anger. Since my wife and I heard Mayor Foster strongly encourage Jade Harris [Jones} to sue the town and town officials at a coalition meeting, it appears there is a conspiracy between those two and others to make things so bad that our Town and Police force are disbanded. Is lawlessness what the good people of Quartzsite want? Why should the good people of Quartzsite allow bullying and vicious, slanderous venomous hatred from the podium and from internet blogs? Are we going to allow a few anarchists take over our town and make it a miserable place to live?...Jade Harris [Jones] was not discussing town issues, she was promoting her business, bullying and spewing vicious hatred. This is not her first time. The good people of Quartzsite need to band together and make sure this is not allowed. The Town Council should vote to bar her permanently from Town Meetings."

What did she really say in that two minutes and twenty six seconds that was allegedly such "vicious hatred" deserving of permanent banishment in violation of AZ law? This:
"Good evening. Tonight I have three brief announcements and one short report. The first announcement, I'm going to indulge myself in a personal nature and I'd like to say that my dog 'Jade's Dynasty Kennels Butterscotch Sundae' took first place at the national specialty last weekend. So, I just had to brag a little bit. The second announcement that  I would like to make this evening has been something that has not been an easy decision to come to. I've served this community for ten long years and I've loved every minute of it. You guys have been wonderful to me and it is not without some serious thought, as a matter of fact, I even went out in the desert and prayed on it. But I have decided that I would like to continue to serve this community and I would like to announce that I am going to run for one of the open seats on the Town Council. I look forward to debating all of you on the issues, and keeping it to the issues and doing the business of the people. The next announcement that I have is because I have been grooming for so long and I can't do it forever with this back, it's not going to hold out , I will be grooming this year and I look forward to being open soon but I am starting a new business venture. I am going to be starting a free community newspaper. I anticipate that I will have the first issue on the stands on the first week of December and I've got some great specials. And the last thing that I have is a report. I would like to give my report on the update of the restraining order filed against me by Shannana "Rain" Golden-Bear and Starr BearCat. And let the community know that even thought I don't like to start my candidacy...(big, rude interruptions by "Machine Gun" Joe Winslow and others) I would like (more interruptions) I would like the community to come to the hearing on this. (Councilwoman Anderson interrupts with "I would like to ask our Town Attorney is this permissible?" Then Mayor Foster states "It's a report" To which attorney Pamela Walsma replies "This section is designated for announcements, typically it's public announcements.") Harris-Jones continues "Reports and Announcements. I'm inviting everyone to come to the hearing on October 21st at the magistrate court across the street at 3 pm to hear for themselves why Ms Golden-Bear and Mr. BearCat think that they need to be afraid of me. And I have all of the evidence that was submitted on that claim and if you'd like, after the meeting, you are more than welcome to approach me and I will let you read all of it. Thank you"

As you can see, Ron Jones' letter, like so many others published in Ms. Golden-Bear's paper was just another gross misrepresentation by the small group of nasty people who seem to believe that the truth is what you can get enough people to believe and was clearly printed with malice and intent to diminish the public reputation of a popular voice of opposition in the community.

Ms. Golden-Bear has a "policy" for "People's Voice", which forbids "letters considered libelous, in poor taste, on a personal issue, mean spirited...", yet she gleefully violates this "policy" in every issue. Although she attempted to play the role of frightened victim in court, her hypocrisy and inflammatory publication clearly show that she is the perpetrator of the  hate and divisiveness that is tearing apart our community. From the very first issue with her name listed as "publisher", Golden-Bear went on the attack against then rival news publisher Bob Miller, devoting two full pages to defaming him! She set the bar for journalistic standards very low to begin with, and as you can clearly see from her recent issues, it has declined from there. The message seems clear, opposing voices must be silenced. Here's a letter she refused to publish:
http://www.quartzsitenews.tv/fosterbashing.pdf

It was interesting to note that Town mismanager Alex Taft went scurrying out of the hearing to procure additional documents for Golden-Bear's claim against Harris-Jones. Hey Alex, where's the open records request for those police reports? The gallery was also filled by the usual suspects with Councilpersons Winslow, Anderson, Lukkasson and wife Michelle, former "acting" Mayor Wes Huntley and wife Mary, Police Chief Jeff Gilbert and wife Sondra and the rest of their usual "cheering section". One thing is for certain, after the masterful defense by Quartzsite pet groomer Harris-Jones, they were NOT cheering as they left the courtroom.

Stay tuned for more on this story and Judge Newman's ruling, as it becomes available.

Vendor Meeting at Town Hall - 1:30 TODAY!

Attention vendors and swap meet owners - there is a work session scheduled for TODAY 

at 1:30. BE THERE!

http://www.ci.quartzsite.az.us/wp-content/uploads/102010-ws.pdf

We can thank Councilman "dirty laundry" Lukkasson and Town Manager Alex Taft, because it was scheduled AFTER Mayor Foster informed Ms. "Graft" that he had a doctor's appointment and would be out of town today...

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.

Same shit, different hard drive...

Well,, I must apologize to those of you who check in to get the real news that isn't printed in that free paper nobody would pay for anyway. My computer crashed and I had to have the hard drive replaced, so I have been busy reinstalling everything and apologize for the delay in posting all those comments. Keep em coming!

As to the part about the "same shit", well, after spending all that money to study and then raise the rates for water and sewer, a work session has been called for 3:00 pm tomorrow at Quartzsite Town Hall to discuss paying for yet another study of the rates! As near as I can figure, it may cost taxpayers another $71,000 to study what we all believe was wrong to begin with. I hope to see a packed house tomorrow afternoon...

AZ debate for US Senator

Just in case you missed it!

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...

Bell, CA officials arrested - is Quartzsite next?

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

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!

One of original Navajo Code Talkers dies in Ariz.

The Associated Press

Allen Dale June, one of the 29 original Navajo Code Talkers who confounded the Japanese during World War II by transmitting messages in their native language, has died. He was 91.

June died of natural causes Wednesday night at a veterans hospital in Prescott, his wife, Virginia, told The Associated Press on Thursday.

His health had been failing since earlier this year when he was hospitalized for a urinary tract infection and kidney failure because he wasn't drinking enough water, his wife said. He was hospitalized again two months ago after visiting family on the Navajo Nation and was transferred from a Flagstaff hospital to Prescott, where he was under round-the-clock care.

The Code Talkers took part in every assault the Marines conducted in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945. They sent thousands of messages without error on Japanese troop movements, battlefield tactics and other communications critical to the war's ultimate outcome.

Several hundred Navajos served as Code Talkers during the war, but a group of 29 that included June developed the code based on their native language. Their role in the war wasn't declassified until 1968.

June, who attained the rank of sergeant, received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2001 along with other members of the original Code Talkers.

With his death, only two of the 29 are still living.

"The Navajo Nation lost a great warrior," Tribal Council Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan said in a statement. "His unique service to his country brought positive attention to the Navajo Nation. He will be missed."

June first tried to sign up for the Marines in his hometown of Kaibeto on the Navajo Nation, but a recruiter told him he was too young. He then traveled to the reservation town of Chinle to enlist _ because he figured people there wouldn't recognize him _ and he could lie about his age and forge his father's signature, Virginia June said.

Even after the code was declassified in 1968, June said little about his role as a Code Talker because he viewed it as bragging, his wife said. Anyone who saw him in the past several years might have been able to guess he was a Code Talker, as he wore a red Navajo Code Talker cap with his name on it wherever he went and a black leather jacket with "Marines" written across the back. He completed his look with a bolo tie that had a large turquoise stone.

Virginia June routinely handed out cards bearing Allen June's picture and rank in the Marines that he had autographed.

Besides his wife, Allen June is survived by 10 children. Funeral services were held yesterday in Page, with burial in Kaibeto.

If Gabrielle Giffords wasn't serious, this might be funny!

Another ugly example of what's wrong with Arizona incumbents! I can think of a lot of questions to ask General Petraeus, but alternative energy in a war zone isn't on my list! One thing is for certain, it looks like a knock down, drag out battle between Giffords and Jonathan Paton, her Republican opponent. They both come across as slimy mudslingers to me. Disclaimer: this was emailed to me from a friend who said:

Can this be actually true? Oh my! Tell me it ain't so!

"She aint the dumbest in congress but gaining in that direction. Maybe
she should ask her buddies in Phoenix what they are doing about the smog there. Thought I would pass this on...."

This woman could win any debate because after listening to her stupidity any opponent would be speechless.

Poster-child for

what is wrong in Washington , DC You will simply not believe this.

Our 8th District US Congressional representative, the Hon. Gabrielle

Giffords, in a meeting of the House Armed Services Committee, asked

General David Petraeus the following question: "General

Petraeus, what are you doing to reduce carbon emissions in the war

on terror?" Wow.. I had to read, and re-read this several times to

believe it. Folks, there are American sons and daughters dying every

week on the foreign battlefields of southwest Asia . The nation is

completely bankrupt and ... quite literally, borrowing 43 cents for

every dollar in federal spending. We have the largest environmental

disaster in the nation's history in the Gulf of Mexico , and we have

Mexican drug armies invading our nation. And yet .... A member of

Congress from Arizona 's 8th congressional district took the time to

ask our battlefield commander what he is doing to curb carbon

emissions in the war. Gabrielle Giffords is the poster-child for

what is wrong with the US Congress.. We are being led by imbeciles.

To the rest of America reading this blog, and to Gen. Petraeus if

this e-mail makes it to your inbox ... my sincerest apologies for

the stupid question asked of you by my US congressional

representative. General ... I am sure you have better things to

worry about than carbon emissions on the battlefield. I assure you,

as a registered voter in Arizona 's 8th congressional district, I

will do everything I can to ensure Rep. Giffords is voted out of

office in November, and I pray you'll get back to business of

fighting the war on terror without worrying about such petty and

nonsensical matters as your carbon footprint in the war.

Mark Beres, Maj. USAF (ret.) Tucson , Arizona FYI: The 8th

District surrounds Tucson to the north, south and east (Tucson is in the

7th District) and covers the south-east corner of AZ. What Google

says about Rep. Giffords: Representative Gabrielle Giffords (D-Az)

took Afghan Commander, General David Petraeus, to task for what she

characterized as "willful disregard of the environmental impact of

our war effort." "There is no policy, no plan to minimize carbon

emissions in our military activities," Giffords charged. "Bombs are

dropped and bullets are fired without considering the environmental

impact." Giffords insisted that she was "not demanding an immediate

halt to current military operations in the Middle East . I'm just

saying that battle plans should include an environmental impact

assessment as a regular part of the process before attacks are

launched." She also suggested that the Army "put more emphasis on

less environmentally damaging methods, like stabbing or clubbing

enemy forces in order to minimize the carbon output."

New Rules of Engagement: I think we ought to put her on the front

lines so she can stab or club the enemy. God help us if this is the

type of idiots that are elected to office. Walk softly and carry a

big knife or big stick to save the environment.

http://smartgirlpolitics.ning.com/profiles/blogs/stupid-stupid-stupid-stupid

http://www.patonforcongress.com/news/giffords-takes-her-solar-tour-too-far

General Petraeus on the official House Armed Services Committee web site.

Gov. Brewer defends private prisons despite recent escape by 3 murderers!

According to the AZ Republic "The escape of three inmates from an Arizona prison will bring sweeping changes to the privately run facility near Kingman and could alter the way the state's prison system handles dangerous criminals in years to come."

John McCluskey, Tracy Province and Daniel Renwick escaped July 31 with  help from Casslyn Welch. The Associated Press reported "Authorities say the accomplice to an Arizona fugitive was acting as a drug mule for white supremacists before she helped him escape from prison. Mohave County sheriff's spokeswoman Trish Carter said Friday that officials at the state prison in Kingman were randomly checking vehicles in the parking lot in June when they discovered marijuana and heroin in Casslyn Mae Welch's vehicle. Welch was visiting her fiance and cousin, John McCluskey, at the time. Welch wasn't immediately arrested while deputies investigated further. But she's now charged with six narcotics violations after being tied to the escape of McCluskey and two other inmates July 31. Authorities say Welch threw wire cutters over a prison fence to help the men get out."

Even the warden has resigned in disgrace. This is all too little, too late for the grieving friends and family of Gary and Linda Haas. McCluskey and Welch were sought in connection with the deaths of the Tecumseh, Oklahoma couple. Their bodies were discovered Aug. 4 in the charred remains of their RV near Santa Rosa, N.M. The dogs belonging to the couple were the only witnesses to the crime. They were found by investigators after spending two days in the desert.The Haas' truck was later found in Albuquerque.Yet our tax and spend Governor wants to shirk her duty to keep Arizonans safe by continuing to support private prisons!

"Gov. Jan Brewer has said that she remains confident in the ability of private prisons to house certain inmates but that only the "most serious" maximum-security offenders need to be held in public facilities."

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/08/19/20100819arizona-prison-escape-report-brk19-ON.html#ixzz0xGBlX400"

Daniel Renwick was taken into custody after an early morning shoot out with police, ironically, in Rifle, Colorado.  Renwick had been serving a 22-year sentence for second-degree murder

Tracy Province was apprehended in Meeteetse, Wyoming after being identified mowing the lawn of a community church in exchange for $40 and a jacket. Province was serving a life sentence for murder and robbery

White supremacists McCluskey and Welch were captured in a campground in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, only 300 miles from the prison after a three week manhunt that made them two of the most wanted fugitives in the nation.

When he escaped, McCluskey was serving a 15-year sentence for second-degree murder, aggravated assault and discharge of a firearm. "The state's method for determining which inmates are housed in minimum, medium and maximum levels was designed after the notorious 1978 escape from Florence of Gary Tison and Randy Greenawalt. Their escape led to a 13-day crime spree and eight deaths."

Does anyone still remember the family murdered near Quartzsite by the Tison gang?

http://www.azcentral.com/travel/articles/2010/08/13/20100813tison-gang-arizona-crime-rampage.html

Democrats appear to have have seized on the publicity by opposing private prisons with sudden enthusiasm. A savvy political maneuver, because Gov. Jan Brewer’s campaign chairman and policy adviser is also a lobbyist for the largest private prison company in the country. Perhaps it's because that same private prison company has the contact to incarcerate illegals rounded up by Brewer's SB1070? Caroline Isaacs from the American Friends Service Committee, which advocates for social justice issues, says "private prison companies have been buying influence in Arizona politics for years. The number of private prisons and jails operating across the state shows the result of that influence". See:"Brewer Linked To Private Prisons Housing Illegal Immigrants - New Questions Raised About Lobbyist Advice"

http://www.kpho.com/news/24834877/detail.html

Democrats, just say no to Terry Goddard, who refused to investigate our corruption because of  "budget" concerns! Republicans, say no to Brewer and everyone please, vote for Barry Hess!

Brewer chokes - Barry Hess wins "Clean Elections" debate!

As yesterday's soundbites and brain farts from the televised debate for the AZ Governor's office are replayed across the National evening news, one thing became clear, Republican Jan Brewer choked BIG TIME! A quick internet search for "Jan Brewer debate" results in an amusing array of descriptions; "cringe worthy", "meltdown", "train wreck", just to name a few.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38981701/ns/politics-decision_2010/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/02/jan-brewer-starts-badly-f_n_703559.html
In a surprising turn of events, morning talk radio was buzzing about Barry Hess!
 KFYI mp3 podcast
Not surprising to me, of course, as I've already perused his website;
http://www.hessforgovernor.com/


Brewer was harshly criticized for immigration fear mongering at the expense of jobs and the sorry state of Arizona's economy.. "Brewer has failed to take decisive action to create jobs and should have lawmakers in special session right now to craft stimulative tax relief", Democrat Terry Goddard claimed. "This is an emergency." "The recession, not the immigration law, should be the focus of the campaign, stated Libertarian candidate Barry Hess  "It's not the issue when ... people are out of work."

OMG! Did Jan Brewer just say "there but for the grace of God I arrived"? Yup!

Sam Vederman drops Deena Blythe case!

Despite the four inch thick file La Paz County Prosecutor Sam Vederman would open up on the table at every court proceeding, he has suddenly dismissed all charges without prejudice (meaning they can be brought back up later), citing a lack of evidence to bring the Deena Blythe case to trial.

What has this lengthy investigation cost the taxpayers? Was Sam Vederman's intent to prosecute or persecute the disgraced local Town Council candidate? Is Sam Vederman so incompetent that he's not capable of arguing the case? After all, some lawyers are just glorified paper pushers that don't really like to litigate. Maybe he should have assigned the case to Thomas Jones and Jessica Quicle, the dynamic duo that secured a conviction against Quartzsite pedophile Richard Eugene Aaron in January of this year. (Prior to the debut of this blog.)

http://paloverdevalleytimes.com/Main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=12865

At Ms. Blythe's last court date, her attorney mentioned calling failed mayoral candidate Wes Huntley as a witness for the defense. What effect, if any did that make on the case? Inquiring minds want to know Sam!

Perhaps Vederman struck some back room deal to make this high profile problem disappear. What part did Sam Vederman's pal Police Chief Jeff Gilbert play in this soap opera? After all, if the hypothetical  "evidence" against Deena Blythe were to include any records of emails, phone calls, and/or text messages between Blythe and Chief Gilbert, this would be a very inconvenient time to have that laid out for public consumption on the court record.

How will this decision aid supporters of his recall? Who will eventually replace him? " Just in may of 2010 Sam Vederman, our elected County Attorney got yet ANOTHER traffic violation. Vederman doesn't know how to carry proper registration amongst other infractions. Please see Public Information J-1504-TR-201002648. If you would like to sign a petition for a recall of Sam Vederman please contact recallsamvederman@yahoo.com "

Hey Deena, we know you're reading, so would you care to comment? How about you Sam?

From a reader - THANK YOU!

Comments about Quartzsite PD's "investigation":

http://www.rumormillnews.com/cgi-bin/archive.cgi/read/141071

FAITHFUL READER NEEDS OUR HELP - HER FRIEND IS MISSING - QUARTZSITE, AZ *PIC*

Posted By: Sandollar
Date: Wednesday, 11-Feb-2009 15:11:00

A faithful reader who contacts me from time to time has asked for our help in trying to locate her close friend. I am hoping that I guessed the correct state being ARIZONA, as none of the information said where Quartzsite is. I googled and it said AZ. Please, they need all of the help they can get. Quartzsite AZ is 127 miles WEST of Phoenix, right off of I 10. Thank you. ********************************************************** Hi, Thank-you Sandollar. Here's a flyer. Laura was driving a maroon SUV Jimmy. She has a son who she would not leave for this long. She also has not used her bank card. Locals including myself have been searching for her as the Quartzsite Town Police are in the search and destroy mode instead of the serve and protect mode and ill-equipped (as in very little usage of intelligence and/or common sense). And have yet to organize a search and rescue. In their words, they have no off road vehicle in which to search. Which is BS. Since along with two rescue dogs,a state of the art SUV, they have quite a few off road vehicles that they are happy to use to run down off road vehicles all over this desert to hand out ridicules tickets. In fact only yesterday DPS found out Laura was missing!! Probably not from the Quartzsite Police either. They have done very little if NOTHING to find her. It's been very cold out. Is anybody out there who can help?? Laura Ann Vittori AKA: Laura Missing Since: 2/6/2009 Sex Female Race White Age 42 Age 44 (At time missing) (Current) Hgt 5Ft6In Wgt 120 Hair Brown Eye Hazel She has brownish blonde hair and she is driving a 1996 Red GMC Jimmy that has a sticker on the back windshield that says "Mega Bitch". She is the one on the left in the photo. Law Enforcement Agency: Report Number: 09-00161 Reward: Contact: Ashley Forrest at 480-528-7916 Leave a tip about this Missing Person