Quartzsite represented at Focused Future II - La Paz County, Arizona

Parker, AZ - Community members, local government officials and staff attended the APS Sponsored Focused Future II Economic Development Town Hall Meeting on June 13, 2012. 


Of the almost 70 participants, Quartzsite was represented by 10 community members, including Council members Mike Jewitt and Patricia Anderson (both also of Quartzsite Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition-QSAPC) Town staff members Al Johnson and Nora Yackley, Pastor Bruce Swart (of First Assembly of God Church, QSAPC and PNQ), Norm Simpson (of Mountain Quail Cafe, Bouse Chamber and AZ Outback), Shanana Rain Golden-Bear (of Desert Messenger, PNQ, QSAPC, and AZ Centennial), Richard Trusty (of Nature's Nuggets, PNQ and AZ Centennial), residents Mark Goldberg (of Art Guild and PNQ), and Dennis Wall (of PNQ).


The jam packed event had attendees addressing difficult questions such as
~ How do we work together as a community?
~ How are we strengthening our community's ability to solve problems?
~ Prioritize Strategies to improve: 
   - Business Development, 
   - Hospitality and Tourism, 
   - Healthcare and 
   - Promoting Quality of Life and Livability.


The busy event kept the group working during lunch, preparing for the afternoon presentations. Participants left with a sense of hope for the future of La Paz County, but knowing there is much work to do.


The La Paz Focused Future II program was co-sponsored by APS and the La Paz Economic Development Corporation. The lunch everyone enjoyed was sponsored by about a dozen businesses and organizations from across the La Paz area, as listed on the last page of the document below. 
The following is the report with details of the meeting, goals and strategies.


Focused Future II La Paz County

Quartzsite dismisses 5 Police Officers today!

Five Quartzsite Police Officers were dismissed from their employment today. Yesterday, they were presented Intent to Terminate papers. This afternoon, the officers had the opportunity to present themselves at a pre-termination hearing.

As of 5:00 pm today, all five officers were dismissed from employment with the Town of Quartzsite by Asst. Town Manager, Al Johnson. The officers dismissed today are some of the "Quartzsite 10" who filed complaints agains QPD Chief Jeff Gilbert in May of this year. One officer and the clerk were dismissed last month, while three officers have returned to work for QPD.

Officers dismissed today are:
James Kemp
Stephan Frakes
Michelle Norris
Hariberto Dominguez
Herlan Yeomans


Dismissed last month were
Linda Conley, Property/Evidence Tech
Sgt. William Ponce

An investigation was conducted by Jackson Lewis and can be found online:
http://www.epageflip.net/issue/37347



Chief Gilbert is being investigated by the DPS on allegations he misused the National Crime Information Center database.








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Agenda available for Quartzsite Council meeting Tues. July 26th at 9am

For the full packet of information visit the town's website at:

http://ci.quartzsite.az.us/2011%20Packets/072611%20agd.html

Well, folks, I guess when the town's website is down, the agenda I had linked to it doesn't work either. I'll work on it...
As I remember, there were 8 or so items on Tuesday's agenda.
- to discuss and possible approve the vacant position on the council
- to approve a zoning change on Plymouth across from QPD from residential to commercial

and more! The agenda was on the town's website Sat. morning, but now the website is down. I'll keep at it.

Quartzsite Council no show for short noticed special meeting

Only censured Mayor Ed Foster and one council member, Jose Lizarraga attended last night's special meeting called by Foster to discuss allegations of Quartzsite Chief of Police, Jeff Gilbert and Town Manager, Alex Taft. The only town staff present were Assistant Town Manager, Al Johnson and Town Clerk Karen Norris. Present in the standing room only crowd many QPD officers along with Chief Gilbert. Taft was reported to be on vacation.

Jennifer Jade Harris-Jones of The Desert Freedom Press, a local tabloid operating without a business license, issued a press release Tuesday. Reporters from Parker Pioneer and Arizona Republic were also present.

The press release details how nine QPD officers plus the clerk filed a complaint with the AZPOST and AZCOPS, announcing their vote of "no confidence" in Chief Gilbert. Allegations range from criminal accusations and ethical abuses.

After the roll call, Foster declared the meeting adjourned, due to a lack of a quorum. He then announced he will proceed with a Town Hall Meeting, allowing people to speak.

Gilbert spoke saying Foster is violating his rights to due process by allowing this meeting. Many people spoke on both sides of the issues, but no officers spoke. According to their press release, the officers plan on reading their complaint at the Tuesday, June 14th Town Council Meeting.

Foster called the council members cowards for not showing up to the meeting. Council member, Jerry Lukkasson had said, "I had to work at a special fundraising function at the restaurant. We were all advised not to discuss the investigation in any way." Council member Patricia Anderson stated she also had to work.

Past mayor Steve Bennett agreed that the council should not discuss the issues until the investigation is complete and that they should not have held this meeting. He stated the council should have shown up to the meeting anyway. Bennett also cautioned Foster about name calling and suggested listening to the advise of their attorney.

After 20 minutes of hearing people talk, Johnson announced he allowed enough time for the council to arrive. He said that since there is no council meeting and the town hall meeting was not publicized correctly, he declared the meeting over. Johnson said, " on the advise of our attorneys town hall is now closed", and that staff is going home. The crowd objected loudly, but began to leave the building. Foster said, "you heard it, no more public comments." Harris-Jones then took the microphone and announced, "I motion we continue this meeting outside on the steps of the town hall in the standard tradition."

The crowd mingled outside. People talked in small circles, while the reporter from Arizona Republic spoke with the officers and some of the crowd. People remained calm on the patio outside Town Hall.