Quartzsite Mayor resigns due to health

Quartzsite- On May 15th, 2009, Mayor Walt Akin submitted his letter of resignation to the Town of Quartzsite, Town Manager, Town Employees and Town Residents. Letter follows:

"This was not an easy decision to make. I am grateful for the opportunity I’ve had the past seven years to represent those who had instilled their faith in me and to represent them on the council and being their mayor.

"I regret to inform you that I’m resigning as your mayor. I regret the inconvenience it will cause, but circumstances have left me no choice. I have enjoyed working with everyone and have learned a great deal. This letter is because of health problems and wanting to be close to family. Please be informed that I am resigning as of Monday, May 18, 2009 at 12 noon. "Thanks again everyone, thank you, council members past and present for having the wisdom to do what is best for your town and not yourself. I wish you all the best going forward."

Walt Akin was sworn in as Mayor following in November, 2009, the death of the late Mayor Chuck Busby. Since taking office, the mayor has had to deal with many important issues regarding budget cut-backs, recalls, and new council members. "I really was hoping to heal the town" he told Desert Messenger, Monday morning. When asked if he had a statement, he replied, "I wrote seven starts to a letter, but there was so much to say to the community... It was just so hard." Akin will participate in a 8-9 month program to "rebuild" his heart health through exercise and diet in Arkansas. He said he hopes to return to Quartzsite, but "so much is up in the air right now". Akin’s resignation left the council free to appoint someone to finish out his term. A special council meeting was being planned for Tuesday, at press time.

Proud Neighbors of Quartzsite

Quartzsite-There’s a new association in town! Proud Neighbors of Quartzsite is inviting the public to an organizational / brainstorming / round table discussion Friday, May 15 at 6:30pm at the Quartzsite Senior Center.

Proud Neighbors of Quartzsite (PNQ) is established to provide benefits to local charities and non-profit groups by promoting the community of Quartzsite, and the surrounding area, through quality local celebrations!

PNQ’s Treasurer, Angie Masales, said, "Proud Neighbors of Quartzsite would like to thank every person, business, and organization that we have talked to about our mission (Partnering together for a better community with businesses, organizations, residents and visitors. To celebrate southwest Arizona as an exciting, fun destination by providing events and opportunities unique to the area) and vision (The communities that play together stay together). Your support is greatly appreciated."

According to PNQ’s president, Starr BearCat, "Some things have not been working very well for the betterment, growth, and prosperity of the town and its citizens. If one keeps doing the same old thing and getting the same old results, it is time for a change and do something different. That’s why I got involved."

"Everyone is a neighbor! We want everyone to be a Proud Neighbor of Quartzsite!" said Shanana "Rain" Golden-Bear, PNQ’s Secretary. "We have many fun events planned where people will be be proud to live in and visit Quartzsite again!"

"We would like you to keep your ears and eyes open for interested parties from Cibola, Ehrenberg, Brenda, La Paz Valley, Rainbow Acres, and Bouse, and ask that you extend an invitation to them, for us, to participate in our discussions. We would like to be sure to include all of our Quartzsite Neighbors in any events and projects that we may undertake," Masales said.
Proud Neighbors of Quartzsite has simple roles, "Play Nice!" "In our actions we ask ourselves, How Does This Benefit the Community? How Can We Make Things Better for the People? We, at Proud Neighbors of Quartzsite, refer to the arena that we are playing in, as "The Sand Box." This is because it goes back to the teachings that we all learned in Kindergarten. Play Nice, Don’t Talk Bad of Others, Help Each Other and Share."

"I invite every one to come and play in the Proud Neighbors of Quartzsite Sand Box for be betterment of our chosen community," said BearCat.
A take on the group’s initials, PNQ, people are asked to "mind their P’s and Q’s"! Golden-Bear said the initials were not planned that way, but it serves as a great message for all "players".

If you would like to "play" with Proud Neighbors of Quartzsite, they are looking for lots of volunteers and folks with ideas. Please contact Angie Masales, 928-927-3845 or Rain, of the Desert Messenger, 928-785-7204.

Also check out their website:
http://www.proudneighbors.com/.

Intersted folks are invited to join in their new social networking site, to stay in touch throughout the year, and a place to have a voice.
www.proudneighbors.ning.com

Police beat the Firemen in softball fundraiser

In a game full of twists and turns, and a ton of laughs, the Quartzsite Enforcers beat the Quartzsite Firefighters in a very close game. The final score was 21-20 as the Police celebrated their win! This season, the two groups have come together three times for Quartzsite Elementary School Fundraisers. The Booster Club sold snacks and The Desert Cafe provided hamburgers and polish sausage and donated the proceeds to the Booster Club.

Quartzsite -Mountain Quail Cafe new owner

As of today, Norman Simpson, of Bouse, Arizona is the new owner of Mountain Quail Cafe, located at the corner of Moon Mountain and Quail Trail. Karen is the new manager and told me that things will remain the same for now.

The restaurant is open, however the credit card machine is temporarily down during the transition. Karen expects it to be up soon. Breakfast was great as usual. Dianne also returned as server, today. Keep posted for updates.

Ehrenberg Fire Sat. April 11

Here are some photos of the fire near Ehrenberg, Sat. April 11, 2009. Firefighters arrived from Ehrenberg, Buckskin, Riverside County, Indio, and Quartzsite. Strong winds fueled the fire driving it southward toward the Copper State Mobile Home & RV Park located on Sourdough Rd. Crews worked hard for many hours to protect the park.

Some photos of the Fort McDowell Pow Wow, northeast of Phoenix. Sat. & Sun. April 4 & 5.

Lots of fun and thousands turned out! Fireworks concluded Saturday night!

What a great weekend!

World Champion Hoop Dancer

Grand Entry on Sat. began as the sun set in the west.

Gourd dancing took place from 1-5. I loved the drums in the center of the arena.

AWC opens Learning Center

Quartzsite - Thursday, March 26, Arizona Western College welcomed the community into the new Learning Center. Kindergarten children from Quartzsite Elementary opened the festivities with a sweet rendition of "America the Beautiful". Local dignitaries present for the ribbon cutting ceremony included AWC Director of College Services Jim Brouillette, Quartzsite Mayor Walt Akin, AWC District Governing Board Member, Randy Hartless, La Paz County Supervisor Holly Irwin, and AWC President Dr. Don Schoening.

Students from Quartzsite Elementary presented presented a skit, "There’s Good Money", and K-3rd graders presented, "How Special I am". Alicia Coen, Quartzsite 7th grader, read her original poem and Victora Demara & Ashley Gepson, 7th & 8th graders presented an original rap, "AWC is Best for Me". Each member of the audience was given scizzors and invited to help in the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Following the ribbon cutting, the public enjoyed a self-guided tour and refreshments. Many signed the community banner in the foyer of the Quartsite Learning Center.
Located on 695 N. Kofa Ave., Quartzsite’s new 5,886 sq. ft. sustainable designed building has a low carbon footprint, with energy-efficient exterior, high-tech low-e glass windows, state-of-the-art air conditioning.

There is Wireless Internet available throughout the facility, a computer lab, study rooms (open to public), fitness center with showers (available to students in Fitness for Life classes), Interactive Television Classroom, small conference/classroom. In addition, there is a Multipurpose Conference room available for community groups to reserve.

For additional information on classes, services, or if interested in teaching academic or personal interest courses, please call the Parker Campus at (928) 669-2214, or visit them during business hours at the Quartzsite Center.