Quartzsite hosts The GRAND Gathering, March 6th-9th, 2014

Quartzsite, AZ

The Grand Gathering is a brand new exciting four-day event planned for March 6th – 9th, 2014 in Quartzsite, Arizona. The GRAND Gathering is a joint venture of Quartzsite's (QIA) and Proud Neighbors of Quartzsite (PNQ), both dedicated to the betterment of the Community of Quartzsite and the region. In true community spirit, cooperation between the Town of Quartzsite administration and many local organizations are producing an exceptional event for the community and visitors alike with four full days of GRAND fun, entertainment and town-wide events. Events are geared for GRAND Parents and Great GRANDS and their families to create memorable moments together. Parking is free at all venues.

The American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT) Vietnam Wall travels to Desert Gardens Show Grounds to coincide with the events during The GRAND Gathering. The AVTT Traveling Wall will arrive in Quartzsite on Wednesday, March 5th. Public viewing of the wall will be available 24 hours a day after the initial set-up on the morning of Thursday, March 6th through the afternoon on Sunday, March 9th. At 360 feet in length, the AVTT Wall is the largest traveling replica of the original Vietnam Memorial Wall located in Washington, D.C. It is an 80 percent scale reproduction which stands eight feet tall at its apex and does not leave out a single name featured on the original memorial wall. The Military Tribute is free.

Rex Allen Jr.

Paul Winer

Entertainment Highlights:

• On Thursday, March 6th, Rex Allen Jr. performs at the QIA. Tickets are $15. Rex was inducted into the Arizona Music and Entertainment Hall of fame in 2013, shortly after receiving the Twentieth Annual Ernest Tubb Memorial Award, from the Western Film Preservation Society.
• A FREE Invitational GRAND JAMboree takes place Friday at the QIA Outdoor Stage
• FREE Live Entertainment all day Saturday at the QIA Outdoor Stage
• Paul Winer will present a FREE concert on Saturday afternoon at the QIA. “Yes,” It is the “Naked Bookstore Guy,” Paul Winer, fully-clothed, playing Boogie Woogie Blues!  Paul is a colorful character who is definitely one of the main tourist attractions in Quartzsite.
• On the Road Again will provide a Dance Party Saturday night at the QIA, $4/person.

Thursday events include a Library Book Sale, AVTT Traveling Wall, Exercise Class, Crafts Painting Social, Line Dancing with Vernine Adkins. Food be available at many local restaurants around town and at the QIA. At 7pm the famous Desert Music Jams happen at the QIA.

Friday events include Town-Wide Yard Sales, GRAND Breakfast at Quartzsite Senior Center, Opening Ceremony takes place at the AVTT Traveling Wall with presentation of  Colors, National Anthem, and Speakers at Desert Gardens Show Grounds. Back at the QIA will be Crafts, Vendors, Games and Food. The GRAND Marathon Bingo also takes place at the QIA. There's a GRAND Music Jamboree happening at the QIA Outdoor Stage.

Saturday events include a Pancake Breakfast, Town Wide Yard Sales, AVTT Traveling Wall, Colors, National Anthem, Speakers @ Desert Gardens Show Grounds, Volkssport 5k/10k Walk at the QIA, SENIOR FAIR/SHOW, Antique Car Show, Games for young & old – (Rock Stacking, Rock Painting, Hula Hoop Contest, etc.), Live Entertainment throughout the day with a Preview of “On the Road Again” at the QIA Outdoor Stage. State Assemblyman Sonny Borrelli will be speaking at the AVTT Traveling Wall at Desert Gardens. There's also a Cancer/MS Fundraiser Walk at Paradise RV Park. The 5th Annual Proud Neighbors of Quartzsite (PNQ) “Rock Auction” will be held at the QIA Outdoor Stage, followed by Paul Winer FREE Concert. Closing out the day is a Dance with “On the Road Again” at the QIA.

Sunday events include a Community Service at the QIA, followed by a delicious Brunch. Closing Ceremony at the AVTT Traveling Wall happens at 1pm with Colors, National Anthem, Speakers, and Taps.

At 2:00 p.m. Sunday, Quartzsite will attempt to break the Guinness Record  for the World's Largest Human Letter "Q" at the QIA. The goal is have at least 550 people stand (or sit) together and form the letter "Q". Don't worry, there will be plenty of chairs available if folks can't stand. This event is open to all ages. Registration is only $5 which includes the Official The GRAND Gathering collector's lapel pin. Multiple Registration Packages are also available.

Quartzsite is conveniently located on I-10, just 17 miles from the California border, and Hwy. 95 1/2 way between Yuma and Lake Havasu City. Just 2 hours west of Phoenix, Quartzsite is in the middle of everywhere!

 See the full details about The GRAND Gathering at www.TheGrandGathering.com.

About the organizations:

·         The Quartzsite Improvement Association (QIA) was incorporated in 1965 and is a non-profit organization dedicated to the betterment of the Quartzsite Community. www.qiaarizona.org.

·         Proud Neighbors of Quartzsite (PNQ) was established to help provide benefits to local charities and non-profit organizations by promoting the community of Quartzsite, and surrounding areas through quality local celebrations. www.ProudNeighbors.com.

·         Maps, Entertainment Schedule and RV Park Discounts are available online at www.TheGrandGathering.com

Paul Winer

AVTT Vietnam Memorial Traveling Wall comes to Quartzsite

Quartzsite, AZ - The American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT) Traveling Wall travels to Desert Gardens Show Grounds to coincide with the events of The GRAND Gathering in Quartzsite.

The AVTT Traveling Wall will arrive in Quartzsite on Wednesday, March 5th. Public viewing of the wall will be available 24 hours a day after the initial set-up on the morning of Thursday, March 6th through the afternoon on Sunday, March 9th.

At 360 feet in length, the AVTT Wall is the largest traveling replica of the original Vietnam Memorial Wall located in Washington, D.C. It is an 80 percent scale reproduction which stands eight feet tall at its apex and does not leave out a single name featured on the original memorial wall.

Also on display will be: wall informational panels, Vietnam War Time line Panels, Vietnam era military equipment and uniforms displayed by Gunny’s Military Museum of Quartzsite, military vehicles, souvenirs, and computer terminals to look up specific names on the wall.

Representatives from The Veteran’s Administration will be present to help Veterans with MYHEALTH and assisting with sign-ups for Veteran’s Benefits.

The wall will be formally escorted to Quartzsite.  Anyone desiring to be part of the escort should plan to be at the Rest Area on eastbound I-10, at mile marker 4, at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 5, 2014.  The escort will arrive in Quartzsite at exit at Exit 17 and proceed north on Quartzsite Blvd., then head east on Main Street, turn south on Riggles and travel west on Kuehn to Desert Gardens Show Grounds. People are encouraged to line the streets and welcome the Wall as it proceeds through Quartzsite beginning about 3:30pm Wednesday.

Opening ceremonies will be held at 9:00 a.m. Friday, March 7, 2014.  VFW Commanders, and Quartzsite Mayor Ed Foster will speak; The Bouse Elementary School 5th & 6th graders will present the History of the United States Flag.  At 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2014, VFW Commanders will speak, and Tony Borelli, Member District 5 House of Representatives is planning to speak at 9:45 a.m.

At 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 9, 2014, closing ceremonies will take place.

The AVTT Traveling Wall is FREE, and parking is Free.  Donations received at the Wall will go to The USO Wounded Warrior Organization to assist Veterans and their families with recovery.
   
Plan to bring your family to The Grand Gathering and The Military Tribute, March 6-9, 2014 in Quartzsite, Arizona.

For the full weekend schedule of events, visit the website www.TheGrandGathering.com.

Health Fair planned for Tues. Dec. 3rd Quartzsite Senior Center

A Health Fair is planned for Tues. Dec. 3, 8am-noon at the Quartzsite Senior Center, located at
40 N. Moon Mountain.

Free Bone Density, Blood Pressure, Glucose & Cholesterol Screening, Heath Education, & Oximetry Testing. Flu shots available for $20. PSA Testing is $30. Sponsored by La Paz Regional Hospital.

Quartzsite P & Z to hold Community Plan Workshop with ULI

Town of Quartzsite

Community Development Services

Announcement

The Planning and Zoning Commission has scheduled a Community Plan workshop on November 19^th, 2013 from 1 p.m.  – 4 p.m. that will focus on the General Plan and tips and tools for building a thriving, healthy community. The workshop will be located at Town Hall 465 N. Plymouth Ave Quartzsite, AZ. Workshop facilitators will help participants explore topics and come away with insights to hone decision-making and leadership skills.

Community Plan is a partnership of eight statewide agencies and organizations that have developed an educational curriculum for public officials.  Partners include: Urban Land Institute Arizona District Council (ULI AZ), American Planning Association Arizona Chapter (APA AZ), Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH), Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED), League of Arizona Cities and Towns, and County Supervisors Association of Arizona.

For more information, call Quartzsite Town Hall at 928-927-4333.

1st Arizona Tesla Supercharger Station now open in Quartzsite

Quartzsite, AZ - Tesla Motors, the California-based maker of the award-winning Model S electric sedan, is expanding its Supercharger network with the opening of the first Arizona Supercharger station in Quartzsite on Thursday, November 14, 2014.

The Supercharger station is conveniently located along Interstate 10 to enable free long distance travel for Model S owners. 

This is the first of seven Tesla Supercharger stations slated to open in Arizona. Paired with the Indio, CA station (opening soon) this Quartzsite location will support free travel between Phoenix and Los Angeles. 

Superchargers are designed for city to city travel, allowing Tesla Model S electric vehicle drivers to travel for about three hours, take a 20 to 30 minute break, and get back on the road charged up.

A press conference and ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the new Quartzsite Supercharger located off Interstate 10 at Exit 17 in the Carl's Jr. parking lot. Dozens of Tesla owners and their cars were in attendance.

Tesla Superchargers allow Model S owners to travel for free between cities along well-traveled highways in North America. The Tesla Supercharger is substantially more powerful than any charging technology to date, providing up to 120 kilowatts of power and replenishing half a charge in twenty minutes.

Supercharger stations are strategically placed to allow owners to drive from station to station with minimal stops. Stations are located near amenities like roadside diners, cafes, and shopping centers so road trippers can stop for a quick meal and have their Model S charged by the time they’re done.

For more information, visit http://www.teslamotors.com/

Photos: Shanana Rain Golden-Bear, Publisher Desert Messenger

BLM hosts Quartzsite meeting regarding recommended trail closures Nov. 21 at 3pm.

La Posa Travel Management Plan (TMP)

Preliminary Environmental Assessment Available

Yuma, Ariz. - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Yuma Field Office has announced that the La Posa Travel Management Plan preliminary Environmental Assessment (EA) is available for review starting today.  There will be a 45-day public comment period and all comments must be received by close of business on December 21, 2013.  The preliminary EA may be reviewed on the BLM internet website at http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/travel_mgmt/la_posa.html.

To update the public on the preliminary EA, the BLM will hold an open house on 

Thursday, November 21, 2013.  

The open house will be held at the Quartzsite Community Center 

located at 295 Chandler Street; Quartzsite, Arizona; from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.

At the beginning of the meeting, there will be a brief presentation about the preliminary EA and travel management planning.  Following the presentation, residents and interested parties can individually speak with local BLM specialists and managers regarding their questions and concerns.  Maps will be on display for review, as well as general EA and travel management information. 

Written comments about the preliminary EA for the La Posa TMP will be accepted through December 21, 2013.  Comments postmarked by this date will be considered in making the final decision.  The comments should be specific to be most effective.  Comments should be mailed to BLM Yuma Field Office, Attention:  Joe Raffaele; 2555 E. Gila Ridge Road; Yuma, Arizona  85365; or through email to blm_az_ym_trails@blm.gov.

The La Posa Travel Management Area surrounds Quartzsite, Arizona, and encompasses over 380,000 acres of public land in La Paz and Yuma Counties.

For more information about the open house, please contact Joe Raffaele at 928-317-3238.

BLM IS PROPOSING THE FOLLOWING:

"Alternative C (Proposed action): This alternative is intended to balance access and natural resource concerns within the TMA. As shown in Table 3.7.3, 54% of the mileage associated with ATV use and 55% of the mileage associated with 4-wheel drive use would remain open under this alternative. Similarly, 65% of the mileage associated with hunting, 86% of the mileage associated with hiking, and 81% of the mileage associated with camping would remain open. Finally, 66% of the mileage associated with rock hounding and 55% of the mileage associated with vehicle exploring would remain open. 

This alternative also addresses the RMP’s mandate to provide a unique set of recreational experiences and opportunities within each PRS. This alternative most adequately represents the BLM’s efforts to provide the recreational experiences and opportunities outlined in the RMP. As shown in Table 3.7.4, 55% of routes within the Semi-Primitive PRS would be closed, 65% of the routes in the Rural Natural PRS would be closed, 56% of the routes in the Rural Developed PRS would be closed, 11% of the roads in the Suburban PRS would be closed, and 59% of the roads in the Urban PRS would be closed under this alternative."

The full Environmental Assessment report is available online at:  http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/blm/az/pdfs/travel_mgmt/la_posa/prelim.Par.57286.File.dat/LaPosa-prelim-EA.pdf

Quartzsite Town Council terminates contract with Police Chief Jeff Gilbert

By Shanana Rain Golden-Bear
Publisher Desert Messenger
Quartzsite, AZ - Tuesday, October 22, 2014, Town Council voted to terminate the contract of Quartzsite Chief of Police Jeff Gilbert. Council members had been attempting to terminate Gilbert for many years, and recently the efforts escalated. Council returned from a long executive session and terminated Gilbert's contract "Without Cause" and will "provide severance as provided by the contract." No explanation was given to the public, however, Council Member Mary Scott said, "The Town is going in one direction, and the Chief is going in another." After the vote, Gilbert addressed the council and the public saying he was grateful for the support of the community for the past eight years. The Council denied the public to comment on their decision. 

Former Quartzsite Chief of Police Jeff Gilbert
Photo by Shanana Rain Golden-Bear

Desert Messenger

Gilbert became famous in June 2011 when 80% of QPD officers filed a vote of "No Confidence" in his leadership. The majority of those officers were eventually terminated by former Town Manager Alex Taft, and are still in litigation with the Town. In 2010, Mayor Ed Foster initiated several complaints against Gilbert. Town of Quartzsite administration ordered an investigation by Jackson Lewis, LLC, which has since been made public online: http://www.epageflip.net/issue/37347.

When the video of local activist Jennifer "Jade" Jones being forcefully removed from a council meeting went viral in July 2011, Quartzsite received attention from around the globe. Shortly thereafter, Mayor Ed Foster, who had been censured, announced to media that the Town was under "Martial Law" and that Gilbert was "running the town". Foster's 2010 mayoral campaign was based on promises to "get rid of the Chief." Foster was ousted by voters in a recall election in 2011, but regained his Mayoral position in 2012. Foster spearheaded the attempt to oust the Police Chief for many years by filing more complaints with state agencies.

Several DPS investigations could not prove any wrong doing by the Chief. Gilbert continued in his position until September 2012 when Assistant Town Manager Al Johnson illegally placed him on paid administrative leave. Quartzsite Town Council then terminated Taft, and hired Interim Town Manager Laura Bruno. Council reinstated Gilbert on Sept. 25th, 2012. http://desertmessenger.blogspot.com/2012_09_01_archive.html After Council granted Bruno another year contract, tensions increased between Bruno, Gilbert and Council members.

UPDATE: In an interview with Arizona Republic's Dennis Wagner, "Gilbert said his ouster was orchestrated to cover up an inquiry he launched into Town Council members for allegedly releasing confidential police documents.

On August 8, 2013 Council Member Mark Orgeron submitted two requests to Bruno requesting agenda items to be placed upcoming meetings; for the August 13th meeting Orgeron wanted "to define the office hours of the police department as well as when phones should be routed to central dispatch." Council held a lengthy discussion on this procedural matter. Planning ahead for the September 10th Town Council Meeting, Orgeron wanted to "recruit and hire an Interim Chief of Police," but this item did not appear on the meeting's agenda to be discussed.

Disagreements became evident during the September 24th council meeting. Bruno, Gilbert, and Town Attorneys disagreed about the proposed Police Policies which requires officers to video ALL contacts with citizens. Gilbert argued for the officers to able to use their professional judgement. Council approved the new policies with minor changes to read, "In the event a citizen requests that they not be recorded, the officer shall take the request into consideration." Citizens expressed their disagreement with their decision. Evidently, negotiations with Gilbert were already underway, as Council then went into executive session to "consider its position and instruct its attorneys regarding the Town's position regarding the contract with Police Chief Jeff Gilbert that is the subject of negotiations." Council took no action at that time.

Almost a full month later, Quartzsite Town Council terminated Gilbert's contract without any discussion or public comment. 

Following Tuesday's Council meeting, Gilbert's supporters expressed their disappointment, while Gilbert opponents jeered. 

Gilbert consoling his supporters after contract was terminated by council

Photo by Shanana Rain Golden-Bear

Desert Messenger