Social Media Workshop planned for Aug. 2nd in Quartzsite

Quartzsite, Arizona - If you have every wondered what all the fuss is about with Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Pinterest...in other words, Social Media, join Desert Messenger's Publisher, Shanana Rain Golden-Bear for an experiential workshop in Quartzsite, Arizona.

The workshop will be held Thursday, August 2nd from 6:30pm-8pm at Desert Gardens RV Park Rec Room. You don't need to bring a computer. Just bring your questions. This workshop is a basic introduction into the world of Social Media. Cost is only $5/person.

With over 15 years of Marketing experience, Rain will explain, in layman's terms, how Social Media is affecting the world we live in and how you can get involved. Even if you're already active on Facebook, this workshop will help you understand the other Social Media options available today.

For more information, contact Rain at 541-218-2560 or Email: desertmessenger7@yahoo.com

Social Media Workshop

Monsoon rains can bring mosquitoes

The Arizona monsoon usually brings much-needed rain to the state. But that rain can leave behind puddles and pools that are perfect for breeding mosquitoes. The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) wants everyone in the state to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites. Mosquitoes can carry the West Nile Virus, which can be fatal to people and animals.

"So far, we haven't had any cases of West Nile Virus reported for the 2012 season, but it's always a threat," said Will Humble, ADHS Director. "Because it's carried by mosquitoes, we have to work together to prevent the spread of the virus. Make sure there's no standing water around your house. Simple actions, like tipping over your wheel barrow, can reduce potential mosquito breeding grounds. If you see something at your neighbors, work with them to resolve it. Reducing the breeding places for mosquitoes will cut down the number of cases of West Nile we get in the state."

ADHS is already investigating a few possible cases of West Nile Virus this year, but has not confirmed them. Last season, Arizona had 69 reported cases of West Nile Virus - the second highest number of cases in the nation. The year before, we were the highest in the nation with 166 cases.

The best way to protect yourself from mosquito-borne illnesses is by reducing the number of mosquitoes around your neighborhood, and taking personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites:

* Eliminate standing water where mosquitoes can breed. Check for and eliminate items outside the home that may collect water, such as cans, bottles, jars, buckets, old tires, drums and other containers.

* Change water in flower vases, birdbaths and animal watering pans at least twice a week

* Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes in them.

* Wear lightweight clothing that covers the arms and legs.

* Use insect repellent to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes anytime you go outside. This is particularly important for the elderly and small children.

It is still early in the West Nile Virus season, so activity is expected to increase during the summer and fall. This may result in an increase in human cases.

For additional information on West Nile Virus, please visit the Arizona Department of Health Services' website at www.westnileaz.com.

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

La Paz County Attorney issues response to supervisor candidate Blain Harold's complaint

Parker, Arizona - Wed. July 18, 2012 Salome resident and candidate for La Paz County candidate, Blain Harold, filed a complaint with the County Attorney's Office alleging Supervisor Holly Irwin violated ARS 11-401 by using board of supervisors' office address and phone number in her campaign literature and website.

UPDATE: Holly Irwin told Desert Messenger today, "I never would do anything intentionally that would spark such controversy. I am getting new cards made though, just so there's no confusion." She also talked with the Secretary of State's office who had no issue with using the phone number/address of the Board of Supervisors.


The following is the response from County Attorney Sam Vederman's Office.


Response from La Paz County to candidate Harold's complaint

Quartzsite woman's emotional expression after Aurora's mass shootings

RIVER OF TEARS

Posted on July 20, 2012 by quartzsitearizonatruthtalkers

RIVER OF TEARS

By Hygeia Halfmoon

Just weeks ago former and recalled mayor Ed Foster had the audacity to tell a reporter for all the world to see and hear him say that if our town government doesn’t seat him, then someone is gonna come into Town Hall with a gun and start shooting.

Ed Foster, how DARE you make such a riduculously irresponsible comment that first of all is absolutely not true and second of all is capable of inciting such behavior by the mere suggestion…just like when you incited to riot last summer, and lied to the world about our police chief putting Quartzsite Town under martial law.

A few hours ago, a gunman went into a movie theatre in Aurora, Colorado and started shooting…fourteen people are dead thus far and fifty are wounded.  Hundreds of police officers from all over had to rush there for the sake of the injured, the anguished, the shocked, the chaos, and the crowd control not to mention needing to apprehend the man responsible for this horrific act.

And you, Ed Foster, have the sociopathic mentality to flippantly tell the world that someone’s gonna come into Town Hall with a gun and start shooting just because we don’t want another round of bullying from you!!!  Who the hell  do you think you are????

And Jade, I dare you to critique the videos of the police officers who are at this very moment dealing with the nightmare in a movie theatre up north…I dare you to accuse them of something when none of them are gonna make their way home for hours to come and then when they finally do, they must find a way to take a shower and go to bed with this real life nightmare still in their head…the cries from those in physical pain, the primal screams  from those who now face the death of loved ones, the trauma that will never leave those who were lucky enough to leave the theatre alive.

How DARE the negative faction including Ed Foster, Jennifer Jade Jones, Pat Workman, Michael Roth, Dana Stadler, Richard Oldham, Richard Abbey, Doug Gilford, and every other damn one of you right along with your followers who exploit the media and claim your constitutional rights to harass our community…how DARE you make light of the serious nature of a killing spree!!!

Right this moment there is a police chief in Aurora, Colorado who has the weight of the world on his shoulders.  Police Chief Dan Oates is experiencing the worst nightmare his department could face and there’s people in the world like Ed Foster and his bunch of thugs who would rather criticize, falsely accuse, and incite for the sheer fun of it (how else do you explain those smirks on your faces that each and every one of you negative faction members wear?) than to experience respect and awe for the ones in life who actually make a contribution to society…the ones who risk their lives for our safety…the ones who maintain order at our town council meetings when all you want to do is cause chaos.

So here’s a big SCREW  YOU!!! to Ed Foster, Pat Workman, Jennifer Jade Jones and the rest of your sociopathic party, and here’s a huge THANK YOU!!!!!!! to every police officer who has to deal with people who actually go on killing sprees as well as those who exploit this insane idea for their own gain, and here’s a river of tears for the victims of one man’s insanity in Aurora, Colorado.

[Editor's NOTE: The above was written by Hygeia Halfmoon early Friday morning, shortly after hearing of the senseless theater shootings in Aurora, Colorado. Her level of frustration is what many have felt, but cannot express into words. Around town, residents were expressing how grateful they were for her words at this time. We may not always agree with each other, but we are all feeling the pain of those who suffered in last night's shootings. Their pain is our pain, and Quartzsite has felt enough pain.

When these tragic events occur, we are reminded of how we are so very connected to each other. To hear the pain of a mother learning of her daughter's death, her willingness to be interviewed, and to share her pain with the nation on television, is beyond what many can imagine. Many of our Quartzsite residents have suffered, on all sides of the political realm. As our president said today, there will be time for politics, but today is not that day. 

Tomorrow is a new day, a new beginning.

I, along with Oprah, ask for those of all religious persuasions to offer prayers tomorrow at 9am for the healing of our nation; the healing of our wounds; that those who are so angry find an avenue to release their frustrations in a healthy manner, without not causing more harm to others. It is time for us to come together as a community, not just in Quartzsite, but as the community of our humanity. A community of loving, caring people who can forgive the harsh words and deeds of those who have caused so much harm. A community willing to come together for the greater good of the whole.

It has been a hard day for many empathetic people. Tears have been shed all around the world for those who lost their lives today, their families and friends. Those who survived that horrible ordeal will never be the same, and the community of Aurora showed how to come together tonight, saying, "Aurora is STRONG!" I suggest Quartzsite community come together in the same way, for QUARTZSITE IS STRONG! ~ God Bless our Country and our Town ~ Rain] 

Beware of electronic skimmers at fuel pumps in Quartzsite

July 20, 2012 PRESS RELEASE

Quartzsite, Arizona - The Quartzsite Police Department has taken several reports recently from customers at local gas stations that have been the victim of credit card theft. It appears that customers have been victims of thieves who have probably installed a hard-to-detect electronic device, know as a “skimmer” that is attached to a gas pump.


Skimmers are devices that steal credit and debit card information which are placed over what look like
otherwise standard card readers. Criminals can capture PIN and account data and then use the information to counterfeit credit or debit cards in order to drain a victim’s account. Skimmers also are commonly planted in ATMs. The funds are often not taken until several months later making the crime of the actual scam difficult to pinpoint. 


The skimming devices can be installed outside or inside the pump, and can be molded and painted to match the machine and are small, making them hard to detect. The devices are typically left on the pump for a short period of time and then later removed by the criminals. There have been increased reports of this type of crime all across the country, and may be the result of more organized criminal gangs.
The best way to avoid falling victim to debit card fraud at the pump is to select “Credit.” That way, you can avoid typing your PIN into the machine and making it available to criminals. Also, it is a good practice to routinely check your bank statements and use credit cards with fraud-protection guarantees to avoid identity theft. Any discrepancies in bank statements should be reported immediately to the bank, police and credit bureaus.


If you believe you have been a victim of this type of crime locally, 
please report it to the Quartzsite Police Department at 928-927-4644.


Jeff Gilbert
Chief of Police
Quartzsite Police Department

Town of Quartzsite responds to allegations made by Council Member Pat Workman

Quartzsite, Arizona - The Town of Quartzsite released a statement statement in response to Council Woman Pat Workman's complaint filed with Arizona Attorney General's Office. Workman's complaint alleges that Town Manager, Alex Taft, misused public funds and "exceeded her authority in disbursement of funds" regarding the investigation of voter fraud in recent elections. 

The town hired private investigating firm, Ron Hergert Consulting of Phoenix, to investigate alleged voting irregularities. In her complaint, Workman claimed $30,000 has been spent on the investigation. During the July 16th Town Council meeting, Workman questioned an $11,000 check to the investigators from the agenda and council tabled it until the next meeting. Workman said the town code (Sections 3-4-1 D & E) require contracts over $5,000 be approved by the council.


Since being sworn in on June 6th, Workman has questioned two checks to the investigators, one for $6,738.44 and $11,018.61. She also attended a protest at the state capitol, in support of mayor-elect Ed Foster, holding the sign, "They stole my vote!" while making a public plea for assistance in resolving the town's election crisis.


Taft responded to the allegations with the following press release: 


"Allegations have been made that procurement of professional services by the Town
Manager were made in violation of Town Code Procurement Policies and/or without lawful
authority. Contrary to these allegations, an investigation is being conducted by the Town
Attorney as authorized by Arizona Revised Statutes Section 16-1021 which has
necessitated the engagement of professional investigative services. This assistance was
procured pursuant to Quartzsite Revised Town Code Section 3-409 which permits contracts
with professional service providers apart from the standard bidding requirements of
Quartzsite Revised Town Code Article 3-4. The procurement of these professional services
is substantially related to the authority granted to the Town Attorney by the Arizona
Legislature and the services were lawfully procured.


"The Town Attorneys' investigation is ongoing and the information obtained at this point
will remain confidential to prevent the destruction of evidence and to protect those whose
activities, while apparently suspicious, may yet prove to be lawful. The Town is working
diligently toward acquiring prima facie evidence of voter fraud and hopes to gain the
assistance of the Arizona Attorney General, the Arizona Secretary of State and/or the
United States Department of Justice in bringing those individuals who voted illegally to
justice."