Yesterday, the Arizona Republic published an article about the hot political atmosphere in Quartzsite. According to Arizona Republic's Reporter Dennis Wagner, "La Paz County Attorney Sam Vederman has asked the FBI to investigate "potential systemic corruption" involving municipal leaders. In a Jan. 3 letter obtained by The Arizona Republic via a public-records request, Vederman said he believes residents of the town are being "targeted for arrest and prosecution simply because they are in political opposition" to town officials."
Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/news/politics/articles/2012/01/23/20120123quartzsite-feud-spills-into-court-internet.html#ixzz1mgJG1eiF
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Quartzsite, Arizona
Showing posts with label arizona republic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label arizona republic. Show all posts
Friday, February 17, 2012
Thursday, June 2, 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Quartzsite, Arizona gets rave reviews!
Quartzsite is gearing up for another great show season. Quartzsite, Arizona has been the focus of many recent positive articles, both in print and online. The main shows are opening and traffic is picking up! Hundreds of vendors are already set up with hundreds more on the way!
Quartzsite is ready for an new year with lots of activities for the season!
Visit Quartzsite this year!
Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011, the Arizona Republic had a wonderful article in the Arizona Living section online, titled "Rock, gem show brings chaotic fun to Quartzsite".
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/arizonaliving/articles/2011/01/01/20110101makeplans0101.html
In the January 2011 issue of "Highways Magazine", the famous Good Sam RV Club featured Quartzsite in an article called, "The Greatest Show on Dirt!"
http://www.goodsamclub.com/rvcentral/highways.aspx
Quartzsite will also be featured in the upcoming issue of AZ Tourist News! Watch for it to hit the streets very soon! http://aztourist.com/
Follow the adventures of a new vendor in town, Eddie Villanueva AKA Eddie B Cookin, as he shares his story on his blog and with creative youtube videos. http://www.eddiebcookin.blogspot.com/
Just google "Quartzsite" and you will find lots of folks writing about their adventures in this one-of-a-kind place on earth!
Enjoy the Sonoran Desert, the friendly folks, great dining, music and entertainment while visiting Quartzsite! Quartzsite has the nation's largest Gem and Mineral Club, hosting field trips during the World Famous Pow Wow starting January 19, 2011. You're sure to be in for a treat with all the shows starting up! Tyson Wells Rock and Gem Show begins Friday, so get ready for a fun time in Quartzsite! Bring your walking shoes and plenty of money for all those deals you won't be able to pass up!
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