Special Meeting of Quartzsite Town Council- Mon. Oct. 31, 1pm

A Special Town Council meeting is planned for Monday, October 31st at 1pm. The agenda is online at:

http://ci.quartzsite.az.us/spcl%20mtg%2010312011.html

Motorists traveling between Phoenix and Quartzsite should expect minor delays

Eastbound I-10 travel limited to one lane east of Quartzsite through the weekend

The Arizona Department of Transportation is in the process of repaving an 11-mile stretch of Interstate 10 east of Quartzsite to create a smoother ride for drivers. This ongoing project will require a lane closure through the upcoming weekend (Oct. 28- Oct. 30). Construction work will resume on Monday (Oct. 31).

What to expect during the weekend:

•Eastbound I-10 passing lane closed for approximately half a mile east of Quartzsite.
•The speed limit will be reduced to 55 mph in the construction zone.
•Law enforcement will be on-site to monitor speeds.
•Message boards will advise drivers of lane restrictions.

ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule. To stay up-to-date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at www.az511.gov or call 5-1-1.

Quartzsite Town Council agenda for Tues. Oct. 25th

There will be a council meeting on Tuesday, October 25th at 9am. The agenda information can be found online the town website at :

http://ci.quartzsite.az.us/Agenda1025.html

Quartzsite Library closed Fri. Oct. 28 for Haunted House

The famous Quartzsite Halloween Caravan will take place on Friday, October 28th. In preparation, staff and volunteers will be decorating and transforming the whole library in a Haunted House. The Library will be closed all day and reopen on Monday, October 31st.


Submitted By Joanne Winer

The annual Halloween Caravan for the kids of Quartzsite will be coming up on the 28th, starting at 2 p.m. The buses will be picking up the children and chaperones at the Town Hall by 1:45 at the latest, and permission slips must be filled out before anyone boards the buses. The children who are in school must have a permission slip filled out to get dropped off at Town Hall, and another permission slip to be able to board the bus at Town Hall (no exceptions). Permission slips are available at the Children's Library, Quartzsite Community Thrift Store, and at Town Hall. There is also a permission slip you can cut out on Page 23 in this issue of the Desert Messenger.

The caravan will leave promptly at 2 p.m. from Town Hall, so be sure to get there early and have your permission slips ready to show as soon as you can get there. Children can put their costumes on at Town Hall if necessary, if they get there early enough. Anyone wishing to set up a table to give out candy to the kids can do so at JRs RV Park--just call Anita Carlson and she will reserve a table for you--you must be there before 2 p.m. The buses will then take the kids all around the town to RV parks who have recreation halls, and to some businesses also who wanted to be included. The buses will return to Town Hall for the haunted house at the library.

This caravan has been going on for 20 years, and is a wonderful way for the kids to visit the people who wish to give out candy and be as safe as possible. Escorted by the Police and Fire Departments and other chaperones, it is the best way to get the kids their candy without having them running around the RV parks and streets. Judging by the number of people who set up tables, and the places on the route who have people waiting to see the kids, this popular event has so many who want to get involved every year that it is hard to fit them all in!! For more information about the caravan, please call Anita at 927-4292.


[Mayor Jose Lizarraga discussed the Caravan at Town Hall meeting on Wednesday. He said since the Caravan began, there has not been one child injured going trick-or-treating.]

Special Meeting of Quartzsite Town Council- Tues. Oct. 18, 2011 @ 9am

There is a special Quartzsite Town Council meeting planned for tomorrow at 9am. There are three items on the agenda which can be found at http://ci.quartzsite.az.us/101811%20SPE%20CMEETING.html

An addendum was added to the agenda:
http://ci.quartzsite.az.us/101811%20addendum.html

Quartzsite Police receives two grants

Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Grant Award

The Quartzsite Police Department was awarded two grants from the Arizona Governors’ Office of Highway Safety. The Police Department was awarded a total of $8,000.00 dollars of overtime funds. The funds will be used to enforce driving under the influence, seatbelt, child restraint laws, speed and aggressive driving laws.

"We will be conducting high visibility details to keep impaired drivers, speeders, and aggressive drivers off the road, and enforce seatbelt and child restraint laws to keep the roads safe for the public," said Quartzsite Police Chief Jeff Gilbert in a press release issued today.

The penalties for DUI can include loss of your drivers license, expensive fines, jail time, increased insurance rates, possible loss of life or injury and having your name published in the local paper.

Gilbert said, "We ask that if you drink, please be responsible. Don’t drink and drive, make sure to have a designated driver and wear your seatbelt at all times.

"If you are in need of a child restraint seat, please come by the Quartzsite Police Department. The Governors Office of Highway Safety has provided us with free child restraint seats."

Former Quartzsite mayor Ed Foster out on bail

On October 7, 2011 former Quartzsite mayor Ed Foster turned himself in after acting Quartzsite Magistrate Karen Slaughter issued a warrant for his arrest. According to a press release issued yesterday by Quartzsite Police Chief Jeff Gilbert, Foster didn't show up to court to face charges of nonfeasance in public office. Foster was booked into the La Paz County Jail by the Parker Police Department on a $1,500.00 secured appearance bond.

Foster, who was ousted from the office of Mayor of Quartzsite following a recall election on August 30, 2011, was evidently sent a summons by the court, but it was returned unclaimed by the Post Office.
According to Quartzsite Police, Foster had personally obtained copies of the file, including the summons, from the magistrate court prior to the hearing at which he failed to appear. Foster allegedly admitted to the Court staff that he did have a copy of the summons.


Foster alleges that he complained to the State Bar of Arizona that Town Attorney Martin Brannan had acted in violation of the Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct by bringing the charge of nonfeasance in public office against him. In spite of this apparent knowledge, Foster allegedly denied that he had notice of the summons to a clerk of the Quartzsite Magistrate Court. Additional charges of violating a court order and failing to appear as required are under consideration.

According to various reports, Foster was visiting family out of state at the time of the hearing.