Jennifer Jones' Signatures challenged in LD5 race

Jennifer Jones' campaign scooter,
Quartzsite, AZ  - Copyright Desert Messenger 2014

Quartzsite, AZ 

UPDATE: Jennifer Jones posted on her Facebook page: 

June 21, 2016 "Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Randall Warner found in favor of Legislative District 5 Republican candidate for the Arizona House of Representatives Jennifer Jones. The nominating petition signature challenge was filed by a rival candidate and political newcomer Paul Mosley. Both parties represented themselves in court.

"Mosley had asked the Court to disqualify numerous signatures on Jones' nominating petitions for a variety of reasons, attempting to render her ineligible. After the signatures in question were checked by the Recorders Offices in La Paz and Mohave Counties, the official certified reports had determined that Jones had 43 signatures more than the minimum required.

"Mosley refused to accept the finding of fact and declined the judges offer to drop the case, which then proceeded immediately to trial. He argued that signatures should be disqualified for technical deficiencies such as using a zip code instead of writing the city, or using a post office box address. Jones countered with the applicable election statute and a 2004 Arizona Supreme Court ruling which held that purely technical departures from the form of the nominating petitions will not outweigh the voter's right to select a nominee. After a short recess Judge Warner ruled that Jones had submitted more than enough valid signatures to be on the August 30th primary election ballot and dismissed Mosley's claim.

"On her way out of the courtroom, Jones told Mosley, “I don't know if your mother ever spanked you Paul, but I just did.”

(https://www.facebook.com/The-Desert-Freedom-Press-195686447195051/?fref=ts)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On June 15, 2016, Stephen Paul Mosley of Lake Havasu City filed formal legal action against Mrs. Jennifer Jones, a Republican candidate for Arizona Legislative District 5 (LD5). Mosley contends that Jones, of Quartzsite, failed to meet candidacy requirements. LD5 covers all of La Paz County and most of Mohave County. 
In order for a signature to count, a person who signs a petition must be a qualified elector, live in the district of the office the candidate is running for and must belong to the same political party as the candidate. Since there are only two seats open for LD5, a person is allowed to sign only two petitions.
Jones' notified her supporters on her campaign Facebook page today with the following statement:
Mosley's 22 page complaint can be read in its entirety at:

According to Mosley's complaint, "Jones submitted 64 petition sheets with 599 signatures. However all of the signatures on petitions 4 and 47 are invalid because Jones failed to complete the affidavits on the backs of the petitions as required by statute."

Mosley alleges in his complaint; "Furthermore, out of the 599 signatures that Jones submitted, 204 are invalid because the signer was not legally eligible to sign the petition sheet, the signer's name is illegible, or the signer failed to provide the information required by statute. 483 signatures are required to be submitted for an individual to have his or her name printed on the primary election ballot on August 30."

Mosley alleges that after removing alleged invalid signatures, Jones only has 395 valid signatures, short of the 483 required to have one's name printed on the ballot.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Randall H. Warner has scheduled the complaint for expedited hearing at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday,  June 21. 

"Apparently my opponents do not believe they can beat me in a fair election. The Mormon stock trader from Lake Havasu City, Paul Mosley, has filed a court challenge to my nominating signatures. The county recorders from Mohave and La Paz will be preparing a report on the signatures he challenged but over a hundred will have to be invalidated to remove me from the ballot. Unfortunately for my opponents, I am a seasoned pro se litigant so Mosley will need to hire an attorney but I will not."

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-Z6UlGYZmGlMkZaU251ZWs0SHc/view?ts=57637cd7

Quartzsite's Jennifer Jones speaks at Meet the Candidates Forum in Wenden, AZ

Wenden, Arizona- Thursday, July 26th, the McMullen Valley Chamber of Commerce held a Meet the Candidates Forum. The room was packed with La Paz County voters and candidates, along with Arizona state candidates, and U.S. candidates. 


The three hour event was well organized by the large group of volunteers. Attendees had the opportunity to visit with candidates beforehand, and to submit written questions for each of the 19 candidates. Each candidate was given five minutes to speak before questions were asked. Republican candidates dominated the evening with a sprinkle of independents and democrats.

The only Quartzsite candidate is Jennifer Jones, who is running La Paz County Supervisor District 3. District 3 now includes a portion of Quartzsite (south of I-10), La Paz Valley, Rainbow Acres, Cibola, Salome, Wenden, Vicksburg, and Alamo Lake areas.

Jones answered a question regarding the controversy around her residency, by stating she does live in La Posa North area of BLM's LTVA (Long Term Visitor Area), located just south of Quartzsite and I-10 (District 3). Jones shared how she loves the peace and quiet of the desert. She said people can buy a seasonal winter pass and also a summer pass, of which she has. 

However, according to BLM's website, La Posa LTVA summer fees are:

"From April 16th through September 14th, the fee is $10 per vehicle for day-use, $15 per vehicle for overnight use, or $75 annually per vehicle, for up to 5 people per vehicle. There will be a $1 per person fee charged over the 5 person limit. The maximum stay is 14 days in a 28-day period."Between April 16 and September 14, you may stay in an LTVA only 14 days in any 28-day period." Rule 34 states "After your 14th day of occupation at an LTVA, you must move outside of a 25-mile radius of that LTVA."

 http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/recreation/camping/LTVA/laposa.html

Jones said she can prove that she lives in District 3 because "another news publication" (I'm assuming that would be me, the publisher of Desert Messenger) knows where she lives and "came all the way out to my campsite and took pictures...". Jones may be referring to when I took photographs of her camp on federal lands flying an upside down American flag (as a candidate for Quartzsite Town Council). That photo was taken in December, 2011 (over 7 months ago) and the article was published in Desert Messenger's January 4th issue. See article on Page 7 at  http://www.epageflip.net/i/51737

It is well known by locals that Jones is currently living and working on the North side of I-10 (District 2) on Richard Oldham's property near the old airstrip. Many dog owners have taken their pets there to be groomed. In an effort to clarify this issue, I drove out Saturday afternoon, July 28th, to La Posa North (District 3), near the same location photos were taken back in December. No camp was seen anywhere in La Posa North. Not a trailer, nor motor home, nor even a tent; just a few quail roaming the desert. 

Jones' final comment Thursday evening was, 

"being educated makes you more of a better decision maker."

 

Low turnout for Quartzsite "Meet the Challengers" Reception

Last night the five candidates challenging the incumbent Town Council Members held a "reception" at Crawford's Trailer Park at 7pm. The five challengers, David Gjerdahl, Pat Workman, Victor Lee (write-in), Jennifer Jones, and Sean Austin (write-in) talked to a small audience of EIGHT--2 members of the press, 1 musician (who performed two beautiful songs), 2 challenger supporters, the event sponsor, and only 2 members from the community).
It was publicized as a "casual meet and greet", where candidates would be answering "your questions one on one". The candidates were seated behind a table and spoke about their history, why they are upset with the town, and changes they wish to make. It wasn't until asked a question that Workman spoke saying, "they've about said it all, and there's not much more to say."