Quartzsite Beautification Ribbon Cutting, Thurs. April 28, 10am

Ribbon Cutting ceremony

Quail Trail & Plymouth Road beautification projects complete

Ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrates improvements

YUMA - The Arizona Department of Transportation, in conjunction with the town of Quartzsite, is pleased to announce the completion of the Quail Trail & Plymouth Road beautification projects. The projects consists of a new landscaped corridor with an eight foot wide multi-use pathway and other pedestrian amenities including benches, seat walls, covered shade canopies, trash cans and pedestrian LED solar lights. The transportation enhancement projects will allow town residents to access critical town locations such as Town Hall, Town Library and the Police Station more easily.

The public is invited to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the completion of the project that will benefit the residents of Quartzsite.

When: Thursday, April 28

Where: In front of Town Hall

(southeast corner of Plymouth Road & Quail Trail)

Time: 10:00 a.m.

The Quail Trail & Plymouth Road beautification project is part of the town of Quartzsite’s Capital Improvement Plan and was largely funded by federal Transportation Enhancement grants. The project cost approximately $460,000 and took about five months to complete.

For more information about this project, please visit www.azdot.gov/statewide or contact Yuma District Senior Community Relations Officer Gabriella Kemp at 928.699.8983 or gkemp@azdot.gov. Local media should contact the ADOT Public Information Office at news@azdot.gov or 1.800.949.8057. Visit www.facebook.com/azdot or www.azdot.gov for more information about ADOT.

Quartzsite Town Council special meeting, Thurs. April 28th

There will be a Special Meeting of the Quartzsite Town Council on

Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 1:30pm.

NEW BUSINESS:


042811 – SP1. Discussion and possible action to appoint Martin Brannan as Town Prosecutor. (Not open for public discussion)- Alex Taft, Town Manager

042811 – SP2. Discussion and possible action to determine an application fee for the medical marijuana dispensary permit application. (Not open for public discussion)- Alex Taft, Town Manager

Quartzsite Mayor Recall election scheduled for August 30, 2011

The Town of Quartzsite announced they will hold a Special Recall Election for the office of Mayor

on August 30th, 2011.

Candidate packet distribution begins on May 16, 2011.

Candidate packets filing deadline is

no earlier than June 2, 2011 8am.

and no later than July 1, 2011 5pm.

Candidate packets should be filed at Quartzsite Town Hall, located at 465 N. Plymouth, Quartzsite.

For more information contact Town Hall at 928-927-4333.

The last day to register to vote in the August 30th election is August 1st, 2011.

I-10 Lane closures near Quartzsite-

Tom Wells Road (Exit 5) at Interstate 10 near

California state line temporarily closed Tuesday

Several ramps and lanes to close over next few weeks as workers seal pavement cracks

YUMA - The Arizona Department of Transportation is currently working to extend the life of the pavement on a 32-mile stretch of Interstate 10 near the California state line. As part of this highway maintenance project, workers will need to implement periodic closures of Tom Wells Road (Exit 5) from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday (April 26) to access and repair cracks in the pavement.

Other ramps, lanes and overpasses throughout the project area will also be affected as the project progresses along this stretch of I-10. Ramp closures will be in effect for several hours each day and will be reopened as soon as possible. At some exits, the roadway on the overpasses will be repaired and crews will direct traffic through the area.

Additional closures are scheduled from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day as follows:

•Monday (May 2) and Tuesday (May 3) - Access to Ehrenberg via Posten Road (Exit 1)

will be temporarily restricted while crews work on I-10 lanes.

•Thursday (May 5) and Friday (May 6)- Riggles Avenue (Exit 19) in Quartzsite will be

temporarily closed while crews work on I-10 lanes.

•Monday (May 9) and Tuesday (May 10) - US 60 (Exit 31) will be temporarily closed

while crews work on I-10 lanes.

Message boards will direct motorists to detours using the nearest open ramp. Law enforcement will be on site to direct traffic and monitor speeds.

This project is scheduled for completion in May 2011.

ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule. To stay up-to-date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at www.az511.gov or call 5-1-1.

For more information about this project, please visit www.azdot.gov/statewide or contact Yuma District Senior Community Relations Officer Gabriella Kemp at 928.317.2165 or gkemp@azdot.gov. Local media should contact the ADOT Public Information Office at news@azdot.gov or 1.800.949.8057. Visit www.facebook.com/azdot or www.azdot.gov for more information about ADOT.



Temporary lane closures on US 95 south of Quartzsite Thursday and Friday

Please allow extra travel time between Yuma and Quartzsite

YUMA - The Arizona Department of Transportation will be applying a protective coat of oil to a sixteen-mile stretch of US 95 south of Quartzsite. The work is scheduled from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday (April 28) and Friday (April 29).

What to expect during work hours:

•Crews will temporarily close approximately eight miles of northbound and southbound US 95.

•Workers will temporarily stop traffic as they direct motorists through the construction zone.

Delays of up to 15 minutes can be expected. Motorists are advised to plan ahead and leave early to their destination. Message boards will be displayed to advise drivers of temporary closures and restrictions. The speed limit will be reduced in the construction zone.

ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule. To stay up-to-date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at www.az511.gov or call 5-1-1.

For more information about this project, please visit www.azdot.gov/statewide or contact Yuma District Senior Community Relations Officer Gabriella Kemp at 928.699.8983 or gkemp@azdot.gov. Local media should contact the ADOT Public Information Office at news@azdot.gov or 1.800.949.8057. Visit www.facebook.com/azdot or www.azdot.gov for more information about ADOT.

Mayor Ed Foster no show at hearing

Quartzsite mayor Ed Foster was a no show at La Paz County Superior Court this morning. Foster challenged the validity of the notary seal on mayor recall signatures. Foster did file a third motion at the court at 8:45 this morning requesting county supply original signature papers. However, Foster was nowhere to be found at the appointed time of the hearing. Judge Michael Burke dismissed all 3 motions.

Plus Burke awarded the town of Quartzsite their attorney fees.

Quartzsite Town Council Meeting agenda for Tues. April 26, 2011

NEW BUSINESS:


042611 – 1. Discussion and possible approval to write a letter to Senator Kyl’s office requesting help with the Hi Jolly Cemetery Veteran’s Headstone Project, as requested by the Hi Jolly Cemetery Board. (Not open for public discussion)
Alex Taft, Town Manager

042611 – 2. Discussion and possible action to approve/deny special bi-monthly report for Consent Agenda; listing the names opposite the pay amounts for all the direct deposits for Town employees. (Not open for public discussion)
Alex Taft, Town Manager

042611 – 3. Discussion and possible appointment of Council Member Joe Winslow to the WACOG (Western Area Council of Governments) Regional Council on Aging. (Not open for public discussion)
Jerry Lukkasson, Council Member

042611 – 4. Discussion and possible approval to direct staff to create a draft mission for Council to review modify and adopt. (Not open for public discussion)
Bob Kelley, Council Member

042611 – 5. Discussion and possible approval of Resolution No. 11-06; declaring as a public record that certain document filed with the Town Clerk and entitled the “Medical Marijuana Regulations”. (Not open for public discussion)
Alex Taft, Town Manager

042611 – 6. Discussion and possible approval of Ordinance No. 11-02; amending the Town of Quartzsite Zoning Ordinance, by adopting reasonable regulations related to use of land for medical marijuana dispensaries and related uses. (Open for public discussion)
Jeff Gilbert, Police Chief

042611 – 7. Discussion and possible approval of Ordinance No. 11-04; repealing and replacing Article IV entitled “Establishment of Zoning Districts, Zoning Map and Interpretation of District Boundaries” of the Town of Quartzsite Zoning Code. (Open for public discussion)
Al Johnson, Planning & Zoning

042611 – 8. Discussion and possible approval of Ordinance No. 11-05; repealing and replacing Article V entitled “Uses Permitted in Each Zoning District and Additional Requirements and Clarifications for Uses Permitted in Each Zoning District” of the Town of Quartzsite Zoning Code. (Open for public discussion)
Al Johnson, Planning & Zoning

042611 – 9. Discussion and possible approval of Ordinance No. 11-06; repealing and replacing Article VI entitled “Density Schedule and Additional Requirements” of the Town of Quartzsite Zoning Code. (Open for public discussion)
Al Johnson, Planning & Zoning

Town Council special meeting Friday, April 22, at 3:30pm at Town Hall.

Items to be discussed:

NEW BUSINESS:


042211 – SP1. Discussion and possible approval to apply for a Bureau of Reclamation grant to seek an appraisal for the Town’s Colorado River Water Allocation. (not open for public discussion)
Terry Frausto, Grants Administrator

042211 – SP2. Discussion and possible action to authorize Town Manager to sign an addendum to the contract of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion to include additional services, based on direction from Council. (Not open for public discussion)
Jerry Lukkasson, Council Member

042211 – SP3. Discussion only regarding Ordinance No. 11-02, amending the Town of Quartzsite Zoning Ordinance, by adopting reasonable regulations related to use of land for medical marijuana dispensaries and related uses. (Open for public discussion)
Jeff Gilbert, Police Chief

042211 – SP4. Discussion only regarding mobile home subdivision zoning. (Not open for public discussion)
Al Johnson, Planning and Zoning

042211 – SP5. Discussion and possible action to release Matt Newman from his prosecutorial duties. (Not open for public discussion)
Alex Taft, Town Manager

I-10 paving delays near Quartzsite

Pavement maintenance on Interstate 10

near Quartzsite begins Monday

Lane Closures for six miles near California border

YUMA - The Arizona Department of Transportation will begin work Monday (April 25) to seal cracks in the pavement on a 32-mile stretch of Interstate 10 starting at the California border. Initially, a six-mile segment of the highway will be temporarily restricted to one lane in each direction as crews work on the road surface.

Work is scheduled to take place from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The project is scheduled for completion in May.

There will be message boards and signs to warn drivers of the construction zone and reduced speed limit of 55 miles per hour. Law enforcement will be on site to control traffic and monitor speed.

ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule. To stay up-to-date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at www.az511.gov or call 5-1-1.

For more information about this project, please visit www.azdot.gov/statewide or contact Yuma District Senior Community Relations Officer Gabriella Kemp at 928.699.8983 or gkemp@azdot.gov. Local media should contact the ADOT Public Information Office at news@azdot.gov or 1.800.949.8057. Visit www.facebook.com/azdot, www.twitter.com/ArizonaDOT or www.azdot.gov for more information about ADOT.

Quartzsite Town Hall Meeting Wed. 3pm

A Town Hall meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at 3:00 P.M. at the Q.I.A.
at 235 East Ironwood. This is a moderated meeting to answer questions from the public about our Town. No more than two Council Members will be present along with Town staff.

If you want a ride to the meeting, please phone Town Hall at 928-927-4333 and our Transit Service can provide transportation. Bring your questions and concerns.

Quartzsite hits the front page of LA Times!

As the owner of the Reader's Oasis Book store Paul Winer is one of the most interesting characters in Quartzsite because most of the time he walks around (nearly) nude. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

"Arizona Desert Town Clings to its Quirkiness" is the title of a new article written by Kate Linthicum, of the Los Angeles Times, who visited Quirky Quartzsite earlier this year. The article is dated Saturday, April 16, 2011, however it hit the wires Friday afternoon. Tweets, phone calls, Facebook postings were already being made by the time the paper hit the streets! Lots of buzz around town!
 
The link to the video is: http://framework.latimes.com/2011/04/15/quartzsite/


The full story on Quartzsite is found below. Even though some of the facts are incorrect, Quartzsite is receiving some unique attention.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-quartzsite-20110416,0,575043.story

Desert town clings to its quirkiness

"Guns and Hoses" Police vs. Fire Sat. April 16, 1pm Town Park

Quartzsite, AZ- The Arizona Centennial of Quartzsite is sponsoring Guns and Hoses with the Quartzsite Police vs. Fire Departments on Saturday, April 16th, starting at 1pm.

The Old Fashioned Games consist of Tug of War, 3 Legged Race, Egg Race, Pie Eating Contest and a Mystery Game.

Free admission for the whole family! Come on out to the Football Field at Town Park and enjoy the day! Bring your chairs; bleacher seating available. Food and drinks will also be available for purchase.

New SPAM email from Kathy Lagoli targeting bloggers

In the past few days, I received emails from a "Kathy Lagoli". The first one (from Kathy Lagoli" kathy@tebye.com) was asking to discuss a posting on this blog. Innocently, I replied, but instantly received another email, stating, "Hey, I haven't heard from you. Are you still in business?" This one was from another email address kathy@thingdiamond.com.

Then I googled her name and came up with lots of bloggers receiving these emails just the past few days. Bloggers usually are quite open about discussing their posts, but my suggestion is to always google FIRST before replying. If you happened to respond, be sure to change your email password just to be safe.

Arizona Western College named 2011 Center of the Year in AZ

Yuma, AZ - Arizona Western College (AWC) Small Business Development Center (SBDC), led by Randy Nelson, Director of SBDC, has been named the 2011 Small Business Development Center of the Year for the state of Arizona. This award is given by the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and goes to the Center for their excellence in providing value to small businesses and advancing program delivery and management through innovation. The award will be presented on May 5th during the Arizona Small Business Week 2011 at the 18th Annual Enterprise Business Awards Luncheon that will be at the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix, AZ.
Please contact Randy Nelson, AWC Director of SBDC, at (928) 317-6151 for more information.

ADOT Work Zone Awareness Week of April 4, 2011

During Work Zone Awareness Week,

ADOT reminds drivers to slow down in highway work areas

The statistic is sobering. Eighty-five percent of people killed in roadway work zone crashes across the nation are drivers or passengers in vehicles.

That figure emphasizes the need for more drivers to slow down and follow the safety message delivered during National Work Zone Awareness Week, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

This year’s message is “Safer driving. Safer work zones. For everyone.”
“Like you, ADOT construction and maintenance crew members have loved ones hoping they get home safely every day,” said ADOT Director John Halikowski. “The disregard for everyone’s safety by drivers who speed through work zones exhibits a lack of respect for other people and their families.”

According to federal crash statistics, 667 people were killed in highway work zone crashes across the U.S. in 2009. That includes 17 work zone-related fatalities in Arizona.

More than 40,000 people were injured in work zone crashes in the U.S. that same year.

“We need more people to understand that that majority of those killed or hurt in work zones are drivers and their passengers,” said Halikowski. “We urge drivers to take this simple safety step to heart and for goodness sake, slow down!”

As this year’s Work Zone Awareness Week takes place, ADOT has 115 construction projects under way around the state. Work zones for new lane construction are established in busy areas, including Interstate 10 west of Phoenix, I-10 between Casa Grande and Eloy and Loop 101 between State Route 51 and I-10 in the Phoenix area.

The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and Arizona Department of Public Safety have joined ADOT in asking drivers to realize that work zones require extra caution due to factors such as merging lanes, limited shoulder space and distractions.

At ADOT’s memorial for state highway workers who have died in the line of duty, 31 names are etched around a sundial at the Sunset Point Rest Area along I-17 north of the Phoenix area.

“I hope and pray that we’ll not have to add any more names to that memorial,” Halikowski said. “Our highway workers put their lives on the line all the time, so please give them a brake, don’t drive distracted and buckle up. The life you save may be your own.”

For more statewide project information, visit www.azdot.gov/statewide.

Quartzsite Ad hoc committee meeting, Today, 2:30pm

Quartzsite Town Hall published a Notice of Possible Quorum regarding a meeting today for the Ad Hoc Committee at 2:30 at Town Hall.

Questions arise about who is the focus of the ad hoc committee this time. Is it Mayor Ed Foster again? Is it another council member? Attend the meeting today and we all will find out who's ethics are being questioned.

Quartzsite Free Community newspaper invited to state library

Desert Messenger, Quartzsite's FREE Community Paper has been invited to

Arizona State Library

Quartzsite, AZ- Shanana “Rain” Golden-Bear, Publisher of the Desert Messenger, announced Monday, April 4th, that Quartzsite’s FREE Community Paper, will soon be available at the Arizona State Library in Phoenix.

The Arizona State Library gathers newspapers from around the state and archives them for historical purposes. The Desert Messenger will be added to the short list of La Paz County newspapers: Parker Pioneer and the Quartzsite Times.

Victoria Tafoya, of the Law and Research Library Division, will visit Quartzsite next week to pick up copies of every edition of the Desert Messenger from October 2004 through the present. These papers will be microfilmed and added to their extensive collection.

"This is an exciting time, not just for the Desert Messenger, but for the whole community of Quartzsite!" said Golden-Bear. "Quartzsite will now have a powerful and growing presence at the State level," she continued. "What a great honor for the wonderful town of Quartzsite!"

The latest print copies of Arizona Newspapers are kept in the Law and Research Library in the 1938 addition to the Capitol Building. Newspapers dating from Arizona’s Territorial period through two years ago and all newspapers on microfilm are housed in the Polly Rosenbaum Archives and History Building located near the Capitol at 1901 W. Madison Street, in Phoenix. Online access to newspapers is available at both buildings through www.lib.az.us

Arizonans can explore thousands of online articles and images from popular magazines, scholarly journals, current newspapers and other reference works through their public and school library websites. The Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records, a division of the Secretary of State.

The agency serves the Arizona Legislature and Arizonans, providing public access to public information, fostering historical/cultural collaborative research, information projects and ensuring that Arizona’s history is documented and preserved. Visit the Arizona State Library online at http://www.lib.az.us.

# # # #

The Desert Messenger is locally owned and published by Pilot Rock Publishing Co.

Now in our 7th year, Desert Messenger publishes the first and third Wednesday of each month September through May; the first Wednesday in June, July & August. Founded by Walt Akin in 2004, Shanana "Rain" Golden-Bear now continues his vision of creating a voice for the people.

Desert Messenger is your source for local news, events and entertainment. Find out what's going on in Quartzsite, the Rock Capital of the World! As the population swells in winter, events and happenings abound! Make sure to pick up your copy of the Desert Messenger first when you arrive in town. Locals look forward to the next issue to keep in touch with all the events. Or view the whole paper online at: www.DesertMessenger.com
Phone: 541-218-2560
Email: desertmessenger7@yahoo.com

State Route 95 beautification project in Quartzsite begins

YUMA - The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) began landscape improvements on State Route 95 in Quartzsite the end of February, 2011. Improvements will include trees, benches and bike racks. The project area is approximately one mile long immediately north of Interstate 10.

What to expect during construction:

•Construction will take place weekdays between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.

•The speed limit will be reduced to 35 mph in the project area.

•The work will begin on the east side of the road first for approximately two months and then shift over to the west side for approximately six weeks. *

•No work is scheduled on weekends or holidays.

•The project is scheduled to be completed this summer.

•ADOT will update the public of scheduled closures as more information becomes available.

As always, drivers are reminded to proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule. To stay up-to-date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at www.az511.gov or call 5-1-1.
* Drivers will notice that one lane on the WEST side of Hwy. 95 has been closed instead of the east side as the press release stated. 

Gabby Gonzales, ADOT Information Officer, told me this morning "We try our best to keep the public informed of upcoming construction projects. Sometimes the contractors decide to change their plans after press releases have been released."

Gonzales said, "We are very excited about the project! It will be a great improvement for the town."

Drivers should be aware that the construction will last into the summer and lane closures may change from one day to the next.

Lane closures on SR 95 & SR 72 north of Quartzsite begin Monday

YUMA - As part of the on-going effort to widen a portion of State Route 72 and State Route 95 south of Parker, the Arizona Department of Transportation will need to close a lane of traffic beginning Monday (April 4). On each work day through early June, a lane closure at a different point along the project area will be required to provide a safe work zone and will intermittently affect both east and westbound traffic on SR 95 and SR 72 for the next few months. All drivers will need to come to a stop as workers alternate traffic through the open lane in the construction zone. Please be prepared to stop and plan ahead for delays.
What to expect during construction:
•Work will take place from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

•Speed limit will be reduced to 35 mph during work hours.

•Speed limit will be restored to 55 mph after-hours and on weekends.

•Law enforcement will be on-site to control traffic and monitor speeds.

ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.


ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule. To stay up-to-date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at www.az511.gov or call 5-1-1.

For more information about this project, please visit www.azdot.gov/statewide or contact Yuma District Senior Community Relations Officer Gaby Gonzalez at 928.699.8983 or ggonzalez@azdot.gov. Local media should contact the ADOT Public Information Office at news@azdot.gov or 1.800.949.8057. Visit www.facebook.com/azdot or www.azdot.gov for more information about ADOT.
For more statewide project information, visit www.azdot.gov/statewide.