The DESERT FREEDOM PRESS

County Prosecutor requests FBI investigate Quartzsite Corruption

2012-02-16T08:22:00.001-08:00

Dennis Wagner, of the Arizona Republic and USA Today confirms what many locals have been speculating, the FBI is investigating Quartzsite officials.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2012/01/23/20120123quartzsite-feud-spills-into-court-internet.html

Power struggle in Quartzsite spills into court, Internet

Legal filings and crude website mockery

A power struggle at Quartzsite Town Hall has now moved into the courts, with allegations that the municipal attorney is criminally prosecuting political enemies while smearing them on the Internet with spoof websites.
In recent weeks, two defense lawyers have filed motions in Quartzsite Magistrate Court accusing Martin Brannan, the town's lawyer, of conflicts and unethical conduct.
At the same time, 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.

"I have a lot of concerns about what's going on in Quartzsite right now," Vederman said. "But to have any semblance of fairness, it (an investigation) can't be done by local officials."
An FBI spokesman declined to comment.
The legal contretemps involve opposing factions locked in a years-long struggle for control of a desert community that has a full-time population of about 3,500 and an estimated 2 million visitors annually.
The western Arizona town, which has been through a series of recall elections and courtroom battles over the past few years, made national news last year when a YouTube video showed an activist being dragged away in handcuffs after trying to discuss freedom of speech at a public meeting.
More than a half-dozen critics of the ruling group have been arrested -- many of them repeatedly -- in what dissidents say is a campaign of harassment. They were supported last year by most of the town's police officers, who signed a letter accusing Chief Jeff Gilbert of using his authority for political retaliation. Eight of those officers were fired and have sued the town in a pending federal court case.
Many of the criminal cases against dissidents arose from Town Council sessions at which they were accused of disorderly conduct, failing to obey police and malfeasance.
Three examples from public records:
In August, then-Mayor Ed Foster was arrested on orders of the police chief on suspicion of criminal malfeasance because he allegedly failed to adjourn a meeting after the majority of Town Council members walked out in protest. In his letter to the FBI, Vederman contends that charge was "politically motivated."
Jennifer "Jade" Jones, a local news publisher and outspoken critic of Quartzsite leadership, has been arrested at least five times in the past two years. In one case, she was hauled from a council meeting in handcuffs at the police chief's direction after speaking with the mayor's approval -- an arrest that the attorney general said violated Arizona's Open-Meetings Law. All the charges were subsequently dismissed, according to municipal court records.
Another dissident was arrested in April 2010 and accused of disrupting a meeting because he spoke disparagingly of the police chief, according to a Court of Appeals panel that threw out the conviction for lack of evidence.
After many of the charges against town critics were dismissed by prosecutors, the police chief sent an e-mail to the La Paz County attorney asking that he recuse himself due to bias. In a response, Vederman denied the request and wrote, "If you want to arrest people ... when there is no reasonable likelihood of conviction, that is your decision. However, I do not approve of it."
Gilbert told The Republic that accusations of selective or retaliatory enforcement are "absolutely false." He accused the former mayor, the publisher and their associates of being provocateurs who violate laws.
"These are all very legitimate criminal cases," he said. "The town has been under a constant barrage of attacks by a lot of propaganda."
Brannan and town officials other than Gilbert declined to comment.
Michael Frame, a lawyer who represents Foster, recently submitted three motions calling for Brannan to be removed as prosecutor due to alleged conflicts.
Frame noted that Brannan is the subject of an ethics complaint filed by Foster with the Arizona Bar. (The Bar is reviewing three complaints against Brannan, according to a spokesman who said the details are not public.)
Quartzsite's legal infighting is magnified by personal attacks and spoofs on the Internet, including crude sexual allegations against town critics. Frame's court filings allege that Brannan is responsible for Web postings at quartzsitebagger.wordpress.com and nedfraudster.info/wp that malign political foes with "false allegations and personal insults."
"Mr. Brannan is using his power as prosecutor to intimidate and bully the defendants for whom he has a personal bias against, in a fashion that is contrary to interests of justice, common decency and the law," Frame wrote.
The court motions were never ruled upon, Frame said, because Brannan withdrew as prosecutor and appointed special prosecutors to handle the cases before hearings could be held.
Frame's court complaints are supported in a motion filed last month by Matt Newman, another defense attorney who alleges that Quartzsite officials are "targeting certain individuals for prosecution due to their political views." Newman, an appointed public defender, asked to be relieved of all Quartzsite cases because the town's administration is so "tainted." He served as Quartzsite prosecutor for 12 years but was fired in April after refusing to press charges against a resident who, he asserted, was arrested for political activism.
Besides the policing conflicts, critics have assailed the town's administration for secrecy. Last year, the attorney general and state ombudsman found that Quartzsite leaders repeatedly violated Arizona laws governing public meetings and records.
Jones, the newspaper publisher, said state or federal investigators should step in to enforce the rule of law.
"It's really become an experiment in municipal government gone awry," she said. "Right now, these guys have a pass, and they're just laughing."
"We've got a wild West town here," former Mayor Foster added. "I'm concerned somebody's going to get pushed too hard and get a gun and come out shooting."

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2012/01/23/20120123quartzsite-feud-spills-into-court-internet.html#comments

Town confidentiality memo - no longer confidential!

2012-01-31T18:56:00.000-08:00

Town manager Alex Taft has often spoken about "transparency" in Quartzsite government. Those who live here know that reality is closer to opaque. Which begs the question, what on earth is going on at Town Hall that employees know about, yet cannot discuss - even with their spouse? Clearly this confidentiality memo is another in a trickle of "Qwiki leaks" and not exactly a well kept secret.

Scholar's Academy appeals Charter Board decision

2012-01-30T20:51:00.000-08:00

Due to declining test scores, the Quartzsite Scholar's Academy has been denied a renewal of it's charter, with the State Charter School Board. According to Principal McClenning:

"Monday, January 23^rd, The Scholars’ Academy went before The Arizona State Board for Charters seeking early renewal of its charter contract. The original charter was for a term of 15 years, the renewal would be for twenty years. That renewal request was denied. The reason for denial was due to a trend of declining test scores over the past few years.

The renewal request is now in the appeal process. The Scholars’ Academy still has a year left on the original contract and will continue to operate and provide a quality educational choice to the children of this community.

As part of the appeal process, the school is required to submit a performance management plan that will highlight the areas in which action will be taken to improve the academic performance of students on the 10^th grade AIMS test. The faculty and staff have worked diligently to try and reverse the trend of declining test scores. During this same time frame, the graduation rate has increased and the school continues to produce outstanding graduates.

The Arizona Board for Charter Schools does need to hear from the community about the impact the school has had on the community. For further information about the renewal process and steps that can be taken to help The Scholars’ Academy in their appeal, please contact the school at 928-927-9420. "

Personnel Board member Gene Clark dies of cancer

2012-01-27T19:21:00.000-08:00

Few people in Quartzsite don't know Gene Clark, 72, or his 1940 'Tweety Bird' Ford with which he won many local shows. His earthly journey ended early this morning following a battle with cancer. Gene's wife, Bernice, is requesting that people do not send flowers but instead give to their favorite charity. A memorial will be held in 3-4 weeks.
http://www.quartzsitenews.tv/

Prutch to run against Jewitt as write in

2012-01-24T21:19:00.000-08:00

Former Quartzsite Town Manager and Building Official John Prutch has turned in papers to run an official write in campaign against incumbent Councilman Mike Jewitt. Prutch is well respected around town, and currently serves as a Fire District Board Member. It is believed that the recent termination of his daughter, Quartzsite Finance Director Heidi Turner was the motivation for his decision. This is shaping up to be a very interesting election.

Quartzsite election fraud scandal

2012-01-22T20:53:00.000-08:00

The town has decided that recently appointed Councilman Mike Jewitt will run officially unopposed for a two year term at the March 13th Primary Election, despite the fact that former Magistrate Judge and current Town Clerk Terry Frausto altered the candidate’s paperwork. Jewitt replaced Jose Lizarrga, who had to resign in order to run for mayor.

Candidate Sean Austin wants to run against Jewitt, but all council candidates will be forced to run against each other for the two seats currently held by Vice Mayor Barbara Cowell, and Councilman Joe Winslow, according to the ballot submitted by the town. La Paz County Election Board Director Donna Hale stated, “I do not believe the ballot is subject to change as it has been authorized to go to print by the Town Clerk, Terry Frausto.”

After all of the candidate paperwork was officially received by the town in December, Frausto took the liberty of writing in the dates for the term of office instead of having the candidates themselves do it properly, prior to stamping the documents “received”. Frausto had called council candidates to ask whether they wanted to run for a two year or four year term.

Candidate Jennifer Jones came in before Christmas to fill out the form, but was informed by Frausto that she had altered the document. When Jones exclaimed ”You know you’re not allowed do that!” Frausto replied “Well I did. I just wrote it in there...I did it for everybody.” For the custodial officer to alter t;/a public record after it is stamped received is a class four felony under ARS 38-421 and a knowingly filing a forged document is a class six felony under ARS 39-161. Knowingly violating election law is a class 6 felony under ARS 16-1010. The matter is currently under investigation by the La Paz County Sheriff’s Department.

The town sent candidates a press release in January, calling the two year term a “special” election, but no special election was called for and it is not listed as a special election on the sample ballot.
To make matters worse, the town failed to legally "call" for a special election, and only posted a notice on the town website for a "primary" election for "three (3) Council Seats and Mayor's Seat" with no mention of a special election. Interestingly, The "Public Notice" was not even signed and posted until November 30th, 2011 - over two weeks after the candidate packet distribution date, and after incumbents Barbara Cowell, Joe Winslow and Mike Jewitt, as well as incumbent supporter Starr Bearcat had pulled their packets. Many in the community are speculating that they were given personal notice.
http://www.ci.quartzsite.az.us/Support%20Docs/Election%20Public%20Notice.html

“After consultation with the Secretary of State’s Elections Department, the town discovered that, unless context made it otherwise clear - as in the case with incumbents and mayoral candidates, the nominating petitions would be the sole determining factor in determining whether a candidate was running for the regular council primary election or the special council primary election”, according to the press release prepared by controversial Town Attorney Martin Brannan. The town “relied solely on the contents of the nominating papers submitted in making that determination.”

Nominating papers were anything but clear however, with Jewitt indicating he was running in the “Regular” election. Candidates had varied responses on the petitions; Orgeron, Jones, Austin and Workman wrote in “primary”, Bearcat and Winslow wrote “2012”, and Cowell wrote in “Quartzsite Town Hall & Senior Center”.
Additionally, the Municipal Elections Manual from the Arizona League of Cities and Towns specifies that "a separate nomination petition must be prepared for a two year term in addition to the regular petitions for the four year terms". This was never done by the town and Jewitt filed a standard petition, for a four year term.

Inquiries to Secretary of State Elections Director Amy Chan received the response that the end result of her own advice is not any of her concern, When asked “if the nomination petition does not state it, and the Threshold Exemption Statement was altered by the custodial officer after the fact, how can it be determined who may run against whom?” Chan replied “this is a local matter that must be settled among the interested parties” So any “interested parties” would have to file a civil suit in Superior Court.

Read this and other stories in the online version of the DESERT FREEDOM PRESS at:
http://aview.info/DFP.html

Carol Kelley to replace late husband as Quartzsite councilperson

2012-01-09T19:07:00.000-08:00

http://www.ci.quartzsite.az.us/Support%20Docs/Council_NTS_AGD/2012/011012%20Council%20Addendum.html

According to the addendum for tomorrow morning's town council meeting, Carol Kelley will replace her late husband Bob on the Quartzsite Town Council and be sworn in at the 9 am meeting.

Read the DESERT FREEDOM PRESS online archive

2012-01-07T21:46:00.000-08:00

http://aview.info/DFP.html
has uploaded all back issues of the DFP in an easy read pdf format. Click the link above and catch up on any issues you may have missed!

Councilman Robert Kelly dies at age 77

2012-01-03T08:46:00.000-08:00

Bob Kelley passed away on Saturday, December 31st. He had been admitted to hospice only a couple of days earlier after being hospitalized at La Paz County Regional.

Republican Committeeman vindicated

2011-12-24T12:02:00.000-08:00

Michael Alan Roth, the former La Paz County Precinct Chair has been vindicated by the appellate court. Total cost to the taxpayers for the adjudication through appeal is unknown. The decision overturning Roth's conviction for "disorderly conduct" at town hall is reprinted below, from:

http://www.leagle.com/xmlResult.aspx?xmldoc=In%20AZCO%2020111222028.xml&docbase=CSLWAR3-2007-CURR

STATE v. ROTH

STATE OF ARIZONA, Appellee, v. MICHAEL ALAN ROTH, Appellant.

No. 1 CA-CR 10-0994.

Court of Appeals of Arizona, Division One, Department B.

Filed: December 22, 2011.

Thomas C. Horne, Arizona Attorney General, Phoenix, By Kent E. Cattani, Chief Counsel, Criminal Appeals/Capital Litigation Division, And Liza-Jane Capatos, Assistant Attorney General, Attorneys for Appellee.

David Goldberg, Fort Collins, CO, Attorney for Appellant.

THIS DECISION DOES NOT CREATE LEGAL PRECEDENT AND MAY NOT BE CITED EXCEPT AS AUTHORIZED BY APPLICABLE RULES. See Ariz. R. Supreme Court 111(c); ARCAP 28(c); Ariz. R. Crim. P. 31.24

MEMORANDUM DECISION

SWANN, Judge.

¶ 1 Michael Alan Roth appeals his convictions and sentences on two counts of disorderly conduct, both class one misdemeanors, on the grounds of insufficiency of evidence and violation of his First Amendment rights. We find that the evidence was insufficient to support the convictions and therefore vacate the convictions and sentences.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY¹

¶ 2 On April 13, 2010, Roth attended a public meeting while the Quartzsite Town Council (the "Council") met in executive session. While the Council met in a separate room, Roth and other citizens gathered for the Council's return for a "call to the public." While waiting, Roth called the planning and zoning director an "asshole," causing the city official to feel "threatened," and prompting him to ask Quartszite Police Chief Gilbert to "come over . . . and handle the situation." This did not disrupt the executive session.

¶ 3 Roth later addressed the crowd and made disparaging remarks about Gilbert — these remarks caused a few other audience members to be upset and defensive toward Roth and caused the atmosphere to become "tense" and "hostile." Roth's statements "[got] the crowd worked up," caused a "commotion," and were "disruptive."² Given the circumstances, the officer became concerned for Roth's safety.

¶ 4 Roth's remarks caused the crowd to become "quite agitated," with "multiple conversations going on . . . within the room," making it difficult for Gilbert to anticipate where problems might arise, specifically problems with "some type of physical retaliation." Gilbert considered Roth's behavior "seriously disruptive . . . because of the comments . . . and the antagonistic behavior . . . was inciting . . . the crowd."

¶ 5 Gilbert told Roth to leave³ after another audience member stood and "angrily" gestured at Roth while suggesting that Roth could leave if he did not like it "here." At this point, Gilbert felt the situation "had just gotten totally out of hand," had become "explosive . . . in the reactions of other people," such that he was concerned about the potential for violence. Roth then sat down and when he refused to leave, he was arrested. Roth's behavior did not stop the meeting and the meeting continued after the Council's executive session.

¶ 6 Roth was indicted on one count of resisting arrest, a class six felony, and two counts of disorderly conduct, both class one misdemeanors, following the April 13 arrest. At the subsequent jury trial, in addition to testimony from Gilbert and others, the state showed two videotapes — with sound — that depicted portions of Roth's conduct at the meeting; one video was recorded by a camera pinned to a police officer's lapel, and the second by another audience member. The lapel video demonstrates that Roth was initially sitting next to Gilbert, who was standing, and shows Roth insulting and badgering Gilbert with questions about his job history. This video also shows Roth briefly arguing with other audience members and periodically chiming in on an argument that one of his political allies was having with another audience member over the town's budget deficit, expenditures, and handling of stray animals.

¶ 7 The audio also evidences an audience member's threat to step outside and "knock the shit" out of Roth because he suggested that the involved officials had "pea brains." Roth asked Gilbert to evict the audience member from the meeting, and berated and baited Gilbert when he refused. Instead, Gilbert ordered Roth's political ally to leave, which she did. The dull murmur of conversations among audience members can be heard in the background throughout this period.

¶ 8 The videotapes later depict Roth standing next to Gilbert at the podium, addressing the audience of about twenty, telling them that police officers had come to him and told him that they did not respect Gilbert. Roth's tone was sarcastic and his demeanor was somewhat aggressive, but he paused while other audience members spoke and used gestures only to emphasize, or to point. Roth's remarks prompted several members of the audience to defend Gilbert, some to laugh. Gilbert then approached Roth and told him he would have to leave — Roth told Gilbert he would sit down instead and did so, but Gilbert placed him under arrest.

¶ 9 Following the close of the state's evidence, the trial court denied Roth's motion for judgment of acquittal on all charges, but ruled that the initial incident during which Roth called the city official an "asshole" could not be used as evidence to support either disorderly conduct charge, because the city official had testified that this incident did not disrupt the meeting. The judge also denied Roth an instruction on "fighting words," reasoning that the state had not charged Roth under A.R.S § 13-2904(A)(3) for "us[ing] abusive or offensive language," but rather, with conduct that "went beyond his normal freedom of speech . . . and took things a level above that and created some seriously disruptive behavior . . . made a protracted commotion . . . it has nothing to do with fighting words." The judge instructed the jury instead that:

Although the Constitution provides the right of freedom of speech and expression, restrictions can be made on the time, place, and manner of the speech or expression. If the speech or expression is basically incompatible with the normal activity of a particular place at a particular time, then it is not protected under the Constitution.

¶ 10 The jury was unable to reach a verdict on Count One, resisting arrest, but found Roth guilty of Counts Two and Three. The judge subsequently dismissed the charge of resisting arrest without prejudice, suspended sentence, and placed Roth on one year of unsupervised probation on the disorderly conduct convictions, to be served concurrently. The judge refused the state's request that he impose a condition prohibiting Roth from attending any Quartzsite Town Council meetings or functions during the period of his probation.⁴

¶ 11 Roth timely appeals his convictions and sentences on Counts Two and Three. We have jurisdiction pursuant to A.R.S. §§ 12-120.21(A)(1), 13-4031 and 13-4033(A)(1).

DISCUSSION

¶ 12 On appeal, Roth does not challenge the constitutionality of either subsection of the disorderly conduct statute under which he was charged; he challenges only the sufficiency of the evidence to support their constitutional application to his conduct. He argues that the jury convicted him for disorderly conduct based solely on evidence of his exercise of his right to speak on purely political issues and that the evidence failed to demonstrate that he had the necessary mens rea, that his conduct constituted "seriously disruptive behavior," or that he intended to prevent the transaction of any "business" being conducted.

I. CONSTITUTIONALITY

¶ 13 We review de novo whether a statute is constitutional as applied. State ex rel. Napolitano v. Gravano, 204 Ariz. 106, 110, ¶ 11, 60 P.3d 246, 250 (App. 2002) (citation omitted). The right to free speech is protected by the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution. U.S. Const. amend. I, XIV. "The Fourteenth Amendment does not permit the State to make criminal the peaceful expression of unpopular views." Edwards v. South Carolina, 372 U.S. 229, 237 (1963). Speech may in fact "best serve its high purpose when it induces a condition of unrest, creates dissatisfaction with conditions as they are, or even stirs people to anger." Terminiello v. Chicago, 337 U.S. 1, 4 (1949). See Brown v. Louisiana, 383 U.S. 131, 133, n.1 (1966) (noting that participants in a peaceful demonstration may not be charged with the danger posed by the potential that their critics might react with violence, referring to the "heckler's veto").

¶ 14 The right to free speech, however, is not absolute, and does not protect, among other things, "`fighting words' — those which by their very utterance inflict injury or tend to incite an immediate breach of the peace," Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire, 315 U.S. 568, 571-72 (1942), words directed to, or likely to, incite "imminent lawless action," Brandenburg v. Ohio, 395 U.S. 444, 447-49 (1969), or "incitement to riot," Feiner v. New York, 340 U.S. 315, 321 (1951). The government may also, consistent with the First Amendment, impose reasonable restrictions on the time, place, and manner of protected speech in a public forum, so long as the restrictions are content-neutral, narrowly tailored to serve a significant government interest, and leave open ample alternative channels for communication. Ward v. Rock Against Racism, 491 U.S. 781, 791 (1989) (citations omitted).

¶ 15 However, we generally do not reach constitutional issues if the case can be decided on other grounds. Petolicchio v. Santa Cruz Cnty. Fair & Rodeo Ass'n, Inc., 177 Ariz. 256, 259, 866 P.2d 1342, 1345 (1994). Because this case can be decided on sufficiency of the evidence, as discussed below, we need not and do not reach the constitutional issues Roth raises.

II. SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE

¶ 16 We review de novo the trial court's denial of a Rule 20 motion and the sufficiency of the evidence to support a conviction. State v. West, 226 Ariz. 559, 562, ¶ 15, 250 P.3d 1188, 1191 (2011). A judgment of acquittal is appropriate only "if there is no substantial evidence to warrant a conviction." Ariz. R. Crim. P. 20(a). "Substantial evidence is more than a mere scintilla and is such proof that reasonable persons could accept as adequate and sufficient to support a conclusion of defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt." State v. Landrigan, 176 Ariz. 1, 4, 859 P.2d 111, 114 (1993) (internal quotations omitted) (citation omitted). In reviewing the sufficiency of evidence, we view the facts in the light most favorable to upholding the jury's verdict, and resolve all conflicts in the evidence against defendant. State v. Girdler, 138 Ariz. 482, 488, 675 P.2d 1301, 1307 (1983). "Reversible error based on insufficiency of the evidence occurs only where there is a complete absence of probative facts to support the conviction." State v. Soto-Fong, 187 Ariz. 186, 200, 928 P.2d 610, 624 (1996) (citation omitted).

A. Count Two

¶ 17 A.R.S. § 13-2904(A)(1) prohibits a person from engaging in "fighting, violent or seriously disruptive behavior" with the intent to disturb the peace or knowledge that he is doing so. Our supreme court has construed the term "`seriously disruptive behavior' to be of the same general nature as fighting or violence or conduct liable to provoke that response in others and thus to threaten the continuation of some event, function, or activity." In re Julio L., 197 Ariz. 1, 4, ¶ 11, 3 P.3d 383, 386 (2000).⁵ In this case, as in In re Julio L., the state failed to present any evidence that Roth's conduct seriously disrupted any event, function or activity. See id. at 4-5, ¶¶ 12-18, 3 P.3d at 386-87; see also In re Louise C., 197 Ariz. 84, 86, ¶ 10, 3 P.3d 1004, 1006 (App. 1999) (vacating conviction under § 13-2904(A)(1) because "[j]uvenile's language was not accompanied by anything that can reasonably be said to have been seriously disruptive of school activities.").

¶ 18 While Roth waited with other members of the public, the Quartzsite Town Council was in executive session and the state presented no evidence that Roth's conduct "seriously disrupted" the executive session. Instead, the state focused on the effect of Roth's conduct on the rest of the public in the meeting room. Other conversations can be heard continuously in the background during most of Roth's remarks, and it was only when Roth spoke to the audience briefly next to the podium where Gilbert stood that all attention appeared focused on him. Even then, his remarks prompted only laughter and criticism from the audience — with the exception of one incident of angry finger-pointing.

¶ 19 The only evidence the state offered to show that Roth's conduct "seriously disrupted" the activity of the waiting public was testimony from Gilbert and his officer that they felt Roth's conduct was "seriously disruptive,"⁶ and that they were concerned that Roth's antagonistic remarks would cause a member of the audience to retaliate physically. Gilbert testified that he believed that Roth's remarks disparaging him had caused the mood in the room to become "explosive" when an angry audience member pointed at Roth and suggested he could leave town if he was unhappy there. No violence erupted, however, and by Gilbert's own testimony, he was concerned only about the possibility of, or "potential" for, physical retaliation by an audience member inflamed by Roth's message. Moreover, although Roth's remarks to the audience immediately before he was arrested may have been antagonistic and annoying, he spoke in a normal voice and stopped speaking to listen as members of the audience responded.

¶ 20 The finger-pointing incident that Gilbert identified as crossing the line and provoking Roth's arrest, to any extent that Roth can be charged with it, hardly rose to the level of probable violence. See In re Julio L., 197 Ariz. at 3, ¶ 11, 3 P.3d at 385. The evidence accordingly failed to demonstrate that Roth's conduct, any more than any other person's conduct, "seriously disrupted" the public activities of waiting for the Council to return from executive session and discussing town politics. Gilbert testified that Roth's behavior did not stop any meeting — the "meeting" resumed when the council members returned from executive session.

¶ 21 Ultimately, the evidence failed to demonstrate that Roth's conduct was of the same general nature as violence or fighting, or was likely to provoke that reaction in others, or that it threatened "the continuation of some event, function, or activity," as necessary to show that it was "seriously disruptive." See id. We accordingly find that the evidence was insufficient to support Roth's conviction for disorderly conduct under A.R.S. § 13-2904(A)(1).

B. Count Three

¶ 22 For similar reasons as those discussed above, we find the evidence insufficient to support Roth's conviction under subsection (A)(4). Section 13-2904(A)(4) prohibits a person from "mak[ing] any protracted commotion, utterance, or display with the intent to prevent the transaction of the business of a lawful meeting, gathering or procession" with intent to disturb the peace or knowledge that he was doing so. Although the state may prove intent solely by circumstantial evidence, it may not rely solely on "speculation concerning possibilities." State v. Garcia, 227 Ariz. 377, 379, ¶ 9, 258 P.3d 195, 197 (App. 2011) (internal quotations omitted) (citations omitted).

¶ 23 The state argues that Roth's "intent to prevent the transaction of the business of a lawful meeting" could reasonably be inferred from the prolonged commotion he made before the Council returned from its executive session. We disagree.

¶ 24 Even if the evidence demonstrated that Roth engaged in a "protracted commotion, utterance, or display," the evidence failed to demonstrate that, in doing so, he intended to prevent the Council from continuing "the business of a lawful meeting" once it returned from its executive session. We also cannot agree with the state that the jury could have reasonably inferred Roth's intention to prevent the Council from resuming its business once it returned from executive session from Roth's conduct in addressing the crowd during the recess. The state's argument, rather, relies on "speculation concerning possibilities," which cannot support a conviction. Any "protracted commotion" caused by Roth occurred while the Council was in executive session, not during its conduct of public business. We accordingly find that the evidence was insufficient to support a conviction under subsection (A)(4).

CONCLUSION
¶ 25 For the foregoing reasons, we find the evidence was insufficient to support the convictions and vacate the judgments of conviction and the sentences accordingly.
MARGARET H. DOWNIE, Presiding Judge, and DONN KESSLER, Judge, concurring.

Footnotes

1. We view the facts in the light most favorable to sustaining the convictions. State v. Haight-Gyuro, 218 Ariz. 356, 357, ¶ 2, 186 P.3d 33, 34 (App. 2008). Accordingly, we recite the facts in that light, though a review of the video recording of the incident could lead a reasonable fact finder to a different perception of the relevant facts.
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2. An officer present for the meeting explained that Roth was2 "disruptive" because his "demeanor was very offensive" because "[h]e was talking about [the police chief]. He was offending the board. He was offensive in words he would say to members of the public."
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3. Gilbert testified that he previously told Roth to "remain orderly" because of the ongoing Council meeting and that he also advised the entire crowd that anyone who was not orderly would be asked to leave and escorted out if the request to leave was refused.
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4. The initial Release Order imposed this condition.
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5. The judge instructed the jury that "seriously disruptive" means conduct "that causes considerable distress, anxiety, and inconvenience."
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6. The judge overruled Roth's objection to the prosecutor's question that elicited this legal conclusion from Gilbert.

"Quartzite Woman Accuses Town Attorney of Slander and Threats"

2011-12-22T22:01:00.000-08:00

http://www.kswt.com/story/16382664/quartzite-woman-accuses-town-attroney-of-slander-and-threats

Story by Marie Hamill, Reporter - email

Jennifer "Jade " Jones, a candidate for Quartzsite Town Council and publisher of the Desert Freedom Press says a local group who investigates council members and staff found inappropriate content online, which they believe was produced by Martin Brannan, the Quartzite Town Attorney and Prosecutor.

"There's such extreme hateful and non- facts, I thought to myself this appears to be the signs of someone who is very disturbed and that's why I contacted the FBI," says Jones.

Jones says Brannan committed cyber bullying aimed at her and other entities using facebook, twitter, thinkatheist.com, and other sites.

She even believes he designed slanderous and threatening T-shirts using the site Cafepress.com.

"One T-shirt or design said QPOQ meaning Quartzite Police Officers Association and stamped over the top was the letters DOA (dead on arrival), and that appears to be a death threat," says Jones.

News 13 spoke with Martin Brannan and he says he did follow some blogs online and says he may have been the root of some ideas and things said by other people but feels he did not violate the law and says he did not design the T-shirts.

"The web site is called Quartzite Baggers, it's a wordpress thing I used to follow. I think there's nothing threatening, although it may be a little mean spirited," says Brannan.

Brannan says he has not been contacted by the FBI, but would not oppose an investigation because he says he is innocent.

After the interview with KSWT, Brannan wrote in a press release that he's a veteran of the first Gulf War and suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome, but says he is not a threat to himself or anyone else.

"I ask that people look objectively at what's being alleged and actually decide for themselves if there is anything on the websites she should complain about that actually constitutes a threat. I'm sure everyone will see it's just silliness," says Brannan.

(Disclaimer- some highlighted links in the press release below may contain strong language and offensive material.)

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Press release from Jennifer "Jade" Jones:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

When you go to current Quartzsite Town Attorney/Former La Paz and Apache County Attorney Martin Brannan's personal Internet page at thinkathiest.com, the link directing you to what he listed as his Twitter site "Idi Amin" - http://twitter.com/qsitebagger has recently been taken down.

The screen shot was saved at:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=150039585100557&set=o.150884578335803&type=3

Think Athiest reciprocally follows qsitebagger on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/qsitebagger/#/followers

Up until last week, http://twitter.com/qsitebagger would have led you to a very disturbing hate website: http://quartzsitebagger.wordpress.com where anti Quartzsite Police Officers Association "QPOA" T shirts were being promoted, These shirts are for sale on:

http://www.cafepress.com/iwishyouwerentaliar

The "bagger" website proclaims "Quartzsite Em Effin You Ess Ay Just your typical Jenny Jones lovin', holocaust denyin', moon landing hoax and 9/11 was a gov'ment conspiracy believin' birther."

It appears that Marty the "bagger" has a second Twitter account as
https://twitter.com/mayoredfoster with it's own website dedicated to denigrating former Quartzsite Mayor Ed Foster at:
http://nedfraudster.info/wp/?cat=3

with a parody of Ed Foster's real website:
www.quartzsitemineshaft.com/

The anti "QPOA" T shirts, and one featuring The Desert Freedom Press Publisher Jennifer Jones with a cartoon mad cow are available on an internet store called Cafe Press, where you can also buy merchandise with the La Paz County logo and another potential trademark infringement of the STP logo from "Quartzsite Town Attorney's Store" at: www.cafepress.ca/sk/qsitetownatty/100001

Evidence of Martin Brannan's connection to these websites was turned over to the FBI in Phoenix, the Major Crimes Division of DPS, and La Paz County Prosecutor Sam Vederman.

Brannan was hired by the Quartzsite Town Council last spring to replace Town Prosecutor Matt Newman. Newman was fired for refusing to pursue false charges against political targets and their known associates.

Jennifer "Jade" Jones
Publisher, The DESERT FREEDOM PRESS

News you can use for Quartzsite and La Paz County, AZ!
http://thedesertfreedompress.blogspot.com

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Press release from Martin Brannan:

Martin Brannan
Quartzsite Town Attorney
PO Box 2812
Quartzsite, AZ 85346-2812

I was just notified by a reporter from KSWT television in Yuma that Jennifer Jones has issued a "press"release making generally silly accusations about her request that I be investigated by the FBI and the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) for threatening her and others. Assuming that the FBI andDPS even find grounds to believe that there is criminal conduct requiring and investigation, which I highly doubt, I know that I have engaged in no illegal conduct. There is one accusation that Ms. Jones made which I do want to address, however, because I believe it is of great importance.

Ms. Jones alleged to the KSWT reporter that I am mentally unbalanced. I want to address this accusation in the hopes that it will help others who are stigmatized by such outrageous allegations.

I am a veteran of the first gulf war (1990-1991). I received an Air Medal for my role in piloting medium lift helicopters during combat operations in support of the 18th Airborne Corps. Shortly after returning from the conflict, I began having migraine headaches and experiencing difficulties which fall under the diagnostic heading of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I receive services from the Veteran's administration and have a service-connected disability for, along with several physical ailments, PTSD. I continue to suffer from occasional depression, anxiety and troubled sleep. I take medication for my condition which makes dealing with this disorder easier, but I do have symptoms and suffer from a condition designated by mental health professionals as a mental illness.

I admit this freely and without reservation because, like thousands of other Americans who have served this country against an armed enemy, I am not ashamed of the scars I earned ensuring that people like Jennifer Jones have the freedoms that Americans enjoy. While Ms. Jones uses her freedom of speech to ridicule people who bear the mental scars of combat like myself and Council Member Joe Winslow, she rails against anyone who dares to exercise their free-speech rights to ridicule her and her "service" to her fellow human beings.

The last US Combat troops have finally left Iraq and many more are still serving in Afghanistan. Some of them will soon be returning to the United States and to civilian life. Some of them may return to this community. All of them will have been impacted by their combat service. Some of them, like me, will have a service-connected disability as a result of their service. All of them, like me, will nevertheless be capable of really serving their communities both in spite of and, more importantly, because of the personal price they paid to secure your freedoms.

How you treat these brave men and women who suffer scars that you cannot see will be up to you. You can honor their service and their sacrifice and help them to adjust to civilian life.

You can also ridicule them and make scurrilous claims that they are mentally unstable like Ms.Jones does. Like Ms. Jones you can even claim that you are a "patriot" in doing so. That, too is your right; a right that these brave men and women and Joe Winslow and I all sacrificed a part of their own well-being to ensure.

Charlie Tyson cabin defaced

2011-12-22T20:56:00.000-08:00

Sometime on Monday or Tuesday, the word "LOVE" was spray painted on the walls of this historic landmark. The graffiti was discovered by local miners.

Report says Quartzsite council broke Open Meeting Laws,

2011-12-13T22:06:00.000-08:00

http://qtown.us/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/2011-12-10-Disposition-AG-Horne-via-usps-re-OML-violations-8-pgs.pdf

AZ Attorney General says Quartzsite Town Council violated Open Meeting Law

Story by Ruth Castillo, Reporter - bio | email

http://www.kswt.com/story/16319388/az-attorney-general-says-quartzsite-town-council-violated-open-meeting-law

Quartzsite, Arizona December 13, 2011 - In an eight-page letter to Quartzsite Town Attorney Martin Brannan, Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne outlined the violations that troubled his office.
"A couple of issues. One, the lady that was expelled," says Attorney General Horne about Jennifer Jade Jones' illegal dismissal from a public town council meeting on June 28. "She had come forward to address the board and turned her back and started addressing the audience...so [the town council members] were looking at her back. And I think they, you know, had a reasonable complaint that she shouldn't do that."
Attorney General Horne explains where the council went wrong.
"But they expelled her right away," said Horne. "The rule is if you're going to expel someone for disruptive behavior, you give them a warning first."
Jones expressed pleasure over the Attorney General's decision.
"I thought that was fascinating, especially since they did affirm that I was wrongfully removed from that meeting and that we were wrongfully denied access to the secret meeting," said Jones.
That secret meeting Jones referred to was the town council's closed-door meeting July 10th. Horne also says the council's failure to give proper public notice violated Arizona's Open Meeting Law.
"The remedies are some additional training," said Horne about the Quartzsite Town Council. "I'll be there to discuss our findings with their attorney...and then we'll monitor them for awhile."
However, Jones doesn't believe things will change in Quartzsite.
"I think the Council is going to laugh at getting a slap on the wrist," said Jones. "If you walk into any courtroom in the United States, they're going to tell you the ignorance of the law is no excuse. And the Attorney General's Office knows very well that this town council was trained by the League of Cities and Towns that it was videotaped and that was part of the evidence that they looked at. So the Council already had training. They were explicitly told not to do exactly hat they did. They did it anyway and they did it willfully."
Horne says Quartzsite's Open Meeting Law violations should send a strong message to those who serve the public in Arizona.
"People who serve on boards need to be well-educated on the Open Meeting Law and what they need to be doing," said Horne of the Quartzsite Town Council. "I think what was primarily the problem was not having sufficient education and so we're trying to correct that."

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http://www.usatoday.com/USCP/PNI/NEWS/2011-12-15-PNI1215met-quartzsite-town-council-abrkPNIBrd_ST_U.htm

AG: Quartzsite violated meeting law

By Angela Piazza

Attorney General Tom Horne says his office has found evidence that the Quartzsite Town Council violated the state Open Meeting Law and failed to comply with posting requirements for notices and minutes.

On June 28, the council removed a resident from a public meeting in the western Arizona town for being disruptive without first issuing her a mandatory first warning notice, according to Horne.

On July 10, an emergency meeting was held at the Town Hall to discuss the disruption that occurred in the June 28 meeting. During the emergency meeting, the public was locked out of the meeting hall by the council. The council also failed to post meeting minutes on the town's website, Horne said.

Horne has recommended that the council discuss its concerns with legal counsel in a properly noticed public meeting. He also said that each council and staff member should receive training on the requirements of open meeting laws with counsel from the League of Arizona Cities and Towns. Lastly, Horne asked the council to submit to oversight by his office for 12 months and provide a schedule of meetings and copies of meeting notices, agendas and minutes. He asked that Quartzsite officials respond to that recommendation by Dec. 30.

The Quartzsite manager was not available for comment. Mayor Jose Lizarraga said he would have no comment now.

For more information about reprints & permissions, visit our FAQ's. To report corrections and clarifications, contact Standards Editor Brent Jones. For publication consideration in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and state for verification.

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BREAKING NEWS: Horne Finds Open Meeting Law Violations In Quartzsite

http://www.azinews.com/2011/12/13/breaking-news-horne-finds-open-meeting-law-violations-in-quartzsite/

December 13, 2011 | Filed under: Instant Independent,Parker,Uncategorized | Posted by: Brian Wedemeyer

The Quartzsite Town Council violated Arizona’s Open Meeting Laws four times in connection to the removal of a local resident from a July meeting, Attorney General Tom Horne has ruled.
Horne sent a letter to the Quartzsite Town Attorney regarding the Council’s removal of Jennifer Jones, who was speaking during a call to the public in June. The controversial incident was caught on video and later viewed by thousands over the Internet.
The Council had reason to object when Jones turned her back to the Council and addressed the audience, but she should have been given a warning.
“Public bodies can eject members of the public for disruptive conduct, but they must first give a warning, which the council failed to do,” Horne’s press release stated.
A second violation occurred July 10 in which the Council convened an emergency meeting at the Town Hall to discuss disruptions during previous meetings. The Council locked the doors to the meeting room and did not allow any member of the public to attend its meeting. Horne ruled that excluding the public from this meeting violated the Open Meeting Law.
A third violation involves the Council not fully complying with the posting requirements for emergency meetings. As of Dec. 9, the minutes of the emergency meeting were not posted on the Town website. The final violation involves the failure to comply with posting requirements for Notices and Minutes.
The Council did not post minutes for the July 10 emergency meeting. In addition, the Council failed to post minutes for a number of its meetings labeled as “work sessions.”
Horne is recommending the Council discuss these issues during a properly posted public meeting, and that each Council member attend training on Open Meeting Laws. The Council will also be subject to oversight by the Attorney General’s Office for a year.
To read Horne’s letter in its entirety, click here.
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http://www.kpho.com/story/16315940/horne-quartzsite-violated-opening-meetings-law

Posted: Dec 13, 2011 1:03 PM Updated: Dec 13, 2011 1:13 PM

By Phil Benson - email

Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne

PHOENIX (KPHO) -

The Quartzsite Town Council violated Arizona's Open Meeting Laws in connection with the conduct of meetings and dealings with a member of the public, Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne said Tuesday.

Horne cited four alleged violations in a letter to the Quartzsite town attorney:

* June 28: While addressing the council, Quartzsite resident Jennifer Jones was removed from the meeting by a vote of the council, Horne said. She had turned her back on the council and was addressing the audience, which the council reasonably could object to, he said. Public bodies can eject members of the public for disruptive conduct, but they must first give a warning, which the council failed to do, Horne said.

* July 10: The Council convened an emergency meeting at the Town Hall to discuss disruptions during previous meetings. The Council locked the doors to the meeting room and did not allow any member of the public to attend its meeting, Horne said. Excluding the public from the meeting violated the Open Meeting Law, Horne said.

* Dec. 9: In a related violation, the Attorney General said the Council did not fully comply with the posting requirements for emergency meetings. Horne said as of Dec. 9, the minutes of the emergency meeting were not posted on the town's website.

* The final violation involved the failure to comply with posting requirements for notices and minutes, Horne said. The council did not post minutes for the July 10 emergency meeting, according to Horne. The council also failed to post minutes for a number of its meetings labeled as "work sessions," Horne said.

Horne said he was making several recommendations. He wanted the council to discuss his concerns with its legal counsel in open session during a properly noticed public meeting.

He recommended each member of the council and staff to take part in a training session with counsel from the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, regarding the requirements of the Open Meeting Laws.

And he wanted the council to be subject to oversight by the Attorney General's Office for 12 months.

Copyright 2011 KPHO. All rights reserved.

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http://www.parkerpioneer.net/articles/2011/12/14/news/doc4ee8c9e8a37f7495316453.txt

AG letter says Quartzsite violated Open Meeting Law

By JOHN GUTEKUNST
Parker Pioneer
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 9:09 AM MST

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office has completed its investigation as to whether the Quartzsite Town Council violated the state’s Open Meeting Laws. In a letter to Town Attorney Martin Brannan dated Dec. 9, Assistant Attorney General Christopher Munns stated his office found alleged violations relating the council’s June 28 regular meeting and the July 10 emergency meeting.

In a press release, the AG’s office stated these alleged violations include improperly removing a member of the public from the June 28 council meeting, locking the doors and keeping the public out of the July 10 meeting, and failure to meet posting requirements.

The letter stated the AG’s office had not been able to substantiate allegations council members, including a quorum, had been discussing town business at a local restaurant or in the town manager’s office prior to council meetings. They were concerned, however, by reports that meetings between members were taking place.

The provisions of Arizona’s Open Meeting Law are found in ARS 38-431.

The alleged violation at the June 28 meeting involved the council’s vote to remove Jennifer Jones from the meeting as she was speaking in Call to the Public. The letter stated elected bodies can create rules of decorum, and they can remove persons who are being disruptive. However, case law says the individuals must first be warned they are violating the rules.

Jones allegedly violated the rules by speaking directly to a council member, removing the microphone from its stand on the podium, and addressing the audience rather than the council.

Following a motion from Councilman Joe Winslow, the council voted to have Jones removed, over the objections of Mayor Ed Foster. The letter noted that Jones was not warned she was violating the rules, nor was she given the opportunity to correct her behavior.

“Although her behavior may have offended or irritated members of the council, the council should not have removed Ms. Jones without first giving her a warning and an opportunity to cease her disruptive behavior,” the letter stated.

The primary alleged violation at the July 10 emergency session was the public was excluded from the meeting. The meeting was called and an emergency declared because of perceived threats to council members. This came after a video of the June incident went “viral” on the Internet, and many comments critical of the Quartzsite town government were posted on websites and blogs.

“The proper response to perceived threats against a public body is not to exclude the public from attending a meeting,” the letter stated. “Rather, the public body should heighten security through meeting at a more secure location, ensuring the presence of security guards or police officers, or using metal detector wands for those entering the meeting.”

By state law, the public can only be excluded from properly called executive sessions. These can only be called to discuss personnel matters or for public bodies to receive legal advice from their attorneys. No formal actions can be made is such sessions.

Other alleged violations from the July 10 meeting include failure to comply with posting requirements for an emergency meeting, and failure to comply with posting requirements for notices and meetings.

The letter stated the AG’s office could not substantiate claims council members were discussing town business at a local restaurant, or that they were meeting in the town manager’s office prior to council meetings. They said they found no corroborating evidence to substantiate these claims.

The letter voiced concern meetings between council members were taking place. They noted it was possible these could lead to Open Meeting Law violations, as well as undermining public confidence in the elected body.

As for remedies, the letter recommended the council discuss the letter in an open meeting, that council members receive training from the League of Arizona Towns and Cities on the Open Meeting Law in an open meeting, and that the council be subject to oversight from the AG’s office for a period of one year.

The town will have until Dec. 30 to let Munns know if they agree to the recommendations in the letter.

This was one of several investigations by state offices that have been or are being conducted into matters involving Quartzsite.

In July, Attorney General Tom Horne took the unusual step of issuing a statement prior to the completion of an investigation. He state there was reason to believe the Quartzsite council violated the Open Meeting Law by excluding the public from the July 10 meeting.

The state Ombudsman-Citizen Aide’s Office told the Town they acted improperly on two public records requests. They said the town improperly denied a request from then-Mayor Ed Foster for payroll records. They found town did not promptly and properly fulfill a request from Jones for copies of the resumes and job applications from several top officials, including Town Manager Alex Taft, Police Chief Jeff Gilbert and Assistant Town Manager Al Johnson.

An investigation by the Arizona Department of Public Safety into whether Gilbert improperly used federal crime databases is ongoing.

No Justice for Jennifer Jones - charges vacated on 5th false arrest!

2011-12-09T10:03:00.000-08:00

Quartzsite, AZ - The felony charge of “tampering with a witness was vacated against newspaper publisher Jennifer Jones this week. This is the fifth arrest for Jones since last November, which began right after she announced her intention to run for town council and start an independent newspaper. Despite repeatedly alleging what Jones has called “frivolous” charges, the town has refused to see any of them through. “Clearly, they are threatened by me and they’re using these false allegations to try and destroy my reputation.” Stated Jones. “This has been a pattern and practice that has escalated over the last three and a half years since the police searched my home without a warrant and I dared to file complaints about it.” She said. Currently, Jones is facing only citations for “vending without a permit.” This is the same charge dismissed with prejudice last month by Magistrate Judge John Henry.

Police Chief Jeff Gilbert and Sergeant Xavier Frausto were parked blocking the fire lane outside the Quartzsite Post Office on Friday, December 2^nd. When Jennifer Jones walked out the door, Gilbert asked, “Can I talk to you Mrs. Jones?” When Jones replied, “No. Anything you have to say, you can say in front of the people inside.” Gilbert and Frausto followed her into the crowed Post Office lobby and placed her under arrest.

Despite Jones repeatedly asking what she was under arrest for, the police refused to provide an explanation. Finally, Jones suggested that they explain it to the large crowd of people waiting in line, “so they know what their taxes are paying for”.

While awaiting transport to the La Paz County Jail, Gilbert disclosed the charge but refused to provide any details. When Jones asked who signed the warrant Gilbert replied, “I don’t need a warrant. I just have to reasonably believe you committed a crime.” Jones responded that she reasonably believed he had been sampling the confiscated drugs in the evidence locker if he thought there was any probable cause for the arrest in a federal building.

According to Jones, Gilbert also referenced the blowback to the June 28^th incident where he and Officers Fabiola Garcia and Rick Patterson forcibly removed her from a town council meeting and the video went viral on Youtube. “I haven’t received an email about you in, well, months. No one cares about you any more Mrs. Jones.”claimed Gilbert. Jennifer Jones was injured in that incident, which has been under investigation by Detective Ronald Baroldy of the Arizona Department of Public Safety Major Crimes Division, but no final report has been made public.

DPS Major Crimes is also investigating allegations against Chief Gilbert and Sergeant Frausto made by eighty percent of their own department last May. Some of those charges relate specifically to targeting Jones and her husband, as well as other known associates of recalled Mayor Ed Foster. Despite the fact that DPS Detective Pete White has not cleared them of the serious allegations, Gilbert and Frausto remain on duty. “The town’s Procedures and Policy Manual requires them to be placed on administrative leave, but the council refuses to act. In the last year, I knocked on the door of every state agency and asked for help to no avail. It’s evident how deep the incompetence and corruption runs.” Said Foster.

Seven of the nine officers and the police administrator who ”blew the whistle” on department misconduct last spring were fired by the town over the summer and are represented by the Phoenix Law Firm of Schnider and Onofry. The alleged victim in Jones’ most recent arrest is Denise Ann Florian, a woman who was placed on the town’s personnel board on September 22^nd to hear the appeals of terminated town employees, including the police officers. Florian has lived in Quartzsite for less than a year, and has colorful history of civil and criminal cases in Orange County, California

Quartzsite elected and appointed officials made headlines over the summer for refusing to show employee payroll and other open records requests, as well as numerous alleged open meeting violations including a secret meeting where the council declared a “state of emergency” and locked the door on the mayor and citizens. That Youtube video resulted in a press conference by Attorney General Tom Horne, but the AG’s office has not taken any further action.

Neither has Arizona Governor Jan Brewer. Her office claims to lack the ability to get involved, yet Brewer successfully lobbied the State Senate a month ago, for the removal of the Independent Redistricting committee Chairwoman Colleen Mathis, after allegations of open meeting violations. Foster says, “Brewer is fiddling while Quartzsite burns. I’m worried someone is going to get seriously injured here before this is over.”

A year after her first arrest, Jennifer Jones newspaper, The Desert Freedom Press has the largest circulation in the La Paz County area and she has pulled nomination papers to run again for town council in March. According to Jones, this time, she intends to run on a campaign platform of disbanding the town’s dysfunctional police force and negotiating with the county sheriff to expand their dedicated coverage of the embattled town. “ I used to believe that there was hope for saving it, but it has become painfully clear that the legal liability for the police department no longer justifies spending over one third of our town budget. We need to start over, and while the position of police chief is an entrenched bureaucrat, the sheriff is accountable directly to the voters and has a Constitutional mandate to do the job.” Said Jones.

To listen to drunken voicemails made by alleged victim Denise Florian of Quartzsite Coachworks, the night the Quartzsite Town Council appointed her to the Personnel Board, go to:
http://www.freedomfighterradio.net/DeniseWelchFlorian.wma
Warning, explicit language

vol 1 issue 19

2011-11-18T16:54:00.000-08:00

9 day Public Comment period begins on Solar Reserve proposal

2011-11-17T06:33:00.000-08:00

http://www.yumasun.com/news/blm-74500-solar-project.html

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BLM opens comment period on solar project in La Paz County

November 14, 2011 5:38 PM

BY JAMES GILBERT - SUN STAFF WRITER

With the release of the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Quartzsite Solar Energy Project, the public can now comment on the proposed project and the proposed amendment to the Bureau of Land Management Yuma Field Office's Resource Management Plan, which will allow the solar plant to be built on public land in La Paz County.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) announced the release of the draft EIS on Monday, which officially begins a 90-day public comment. The comment period will end on Feb. 10. Two public meetings on the project have also been scheduled.

The first of the public meetings has been scheduled for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 13 at the BLM Yuma Field Office, located at 2555 E. Gila Ridge Road. The second public meeting will be from noon to 2 p.m. on Dec. 14 at the Quartzsite Improvement Association Building, which is located at 235 E. Ironwood St.

The public may also submit their comments by mail or by e-mail. Written comments can be sent to: Liana Reilly, NEPA Document Manager, Western Area Power Administration, P.O. Box 281213, Lakewood, CO 80228-8213. Emails may be sent to QuartzsiteSolarEIS@wapa.gov.

The project proposes to construct a 100-megawatt solar-powered electrical generation facility in La Paz County, and requires about 1,675 acres of BLM-administered land. The proposed site is about 10 miles north of Quartzsite and about a mile east of State Route 95.

According to the BLM, the proposed location was chosen because it had the least impact on wildlife. The agency has further stated that the project application is requesting a right of way to construct, maintain and operate the electrical generating facility.

If built, the plant would use concentrating solar “power tower” technology to capture the sun's heat to make steam, which would power traditional steam turbine generators. The solar power facility would include a 653-foot tower, which would be the receiver of energy reflected from solar fields. The solar fields are made up of heliostats, which are a collection of mirrors. Those mirrors would then focus light at the top of a 653-foot tower, heating salt to a molten state, which would in turn heat steam to power a turbine. The project would also include a thermal energy storage system.

In addition to evaluating whether to allow use of the land, the BLM is evaluating a proposal to amend the Yuma Field Office Resource Management Plan, which was adopted in January 2010. The amendment would change the visual resource management class for the proposed site to a category that would allow construction of a tower.

The tower, which is described as “a high contrast to the landscape,” is at the heart of the current proposal. According to BLM, the tower's contrast, the solar glow and the project's proximity to SR 95 required an amendment to the Yuma Resource Management Plan because the area is designated as a Visual Resource Management Class 3 area, which only allows a moderate change to the landscape.

For the tower to be built, the area's designation is being changed to a Class 4 designation, which allows for a high change to the landscape.

Information from comments, including addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses, may be made public at any time. The BLM and WAPA have said they cannot guarantee that requests for withholding information will be honored.

Information on the project and a link to the draft EIS is available on the BLM Arizona web site at http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/energy/solar/quartzsite_solar_energy.html.

Information on the BLM's role with the project is available from Eddie Arreola, Supervisory Project Manager, (602) 417-9505 or Quartzsite_solar@blm.gov.

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.

Freedom Fighter Radio supports QPOA officers

2011-11-13T19:57:00.000-08:00

In support of the Quartzsite Police Officers Association members who were wrongfully terminated for "blowing the whistle" on their boss, Police Chief Jeff Gilbert, Jim Stachowiak of freedomfighterradio.net has generously offered to donate $4.00 from every Arizona themed "Don't Tread on Me" flag to the "Quartzsite 8".

The flags are $9.99 which includes postage to anywhere in the US or Canada, and Jim states emphatically that the price has nothing to do with Herman Cain's 999 plan, and is just a coincidence - unless of course Cain was inspired by Freedom Fighter Radio that is!

Stachowiak has also donated a gift basket of "Don't Tread on Me" merchandise to the Saturday, November 19th Quartzsite 8 BBQ fundraiser at Tyson Wells Swap Meet in Quartzsite. The items donated by Freedom Fighter Radio are:

1. Dont Tread On Me Polo Shirt - has embroidered snake on left breast area. Value $20.00

2. Dont Tread On Me beach/tote bag Value $ 15.00

3. 3 foot x 5 foot Dont Tread On Me Flag choices are traditional yellow flag, new black tactical,or Arizona Dont Tread On Me, Value $10.00

4. Dont Tread On Me hat choice of yellow or black Value $15.00

5. Dont Tread On Me Car Flag Value $ 15.00

6. Dont Tread On Me Coffee mug includes a 12 inch x 18 inch Dont Tread On Me flag Value $ 12.00

The fundraiser includes a 50/50 raffle, prize raffle, auction, bake sale and of course, dinner. Advance tickets may be purchased in Quartzsite at the Shell Gas Station or Everett's Towing for $6.00, or $7.00 at the event. Dinner is served from 3 pm - 7 pm. Proceeds benefit the "Quartzsite 8".

The QPOA officers are also selling raffle tickets for an ATV, and a separate raffle is going to be held for an AR15 rifle, donated by the gun store in Parker, AZ. Tickets for either item are $10 each, and may be purchased at the BBQ, or from one of the QPOA members (who are currently seeking employment in Arizona law enforcement).

Fracturing Quartzsite - County redistricting meeting

2011-11-10T15:24:00.000-08:00

Monday morning, November 7th, at the La Paz County Board of Supervisor's meeting, County administrator Dan Field gave a presentation on the proposed redistricting of the county, which would fracture Quartzsite into two separate districts, with Interstate 10 as the boundary. County Supervisors want to seperate "Quartzsite proper" from the RV Parks, BLM long term, and Q Mountain Subdivision which lie south of the interstate.This includes the "mostly seasonal trailer parks" of La-Z-Daze Trailer Park, Al's RV Park, Gold Star, Hadlock's Shady Spot, Rice Ranch, Rose RV Park, Vitos RV Park, Quartzsite Marketplace, Tyson Wells, Desert Gardens Mobile Home Park. La Paz County residents are welcome to submit their comments in writing, and attend the upcoming meeting. Comments or district boundary suggestions by residents will apparently be given equal consideration with the proposal drawn up by county officials. When asked directly whether or not the current supervisors intended to run for re-election and might benefit from their proposal, none chose to answer. However Field assured those present that gerrymandering was not part of the final proposed map. Perhaps Supervisors Drum, Irwin and Pierce will confirm speculation that they will not be trying to influence the map in order to retain their seats, at the November 14th meeting.

NOTICE / AGENDA

PUBLIC MEETING/HEARING

OF THE

LA PAZ COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute § 38-431.02, notice is hereby given to the members of the

La Paz County Board of Supervisors, and to the general public, that the La Paz County Board

of Supervisors will hold a Public Meeting/Hearing, open to the public, on

Monday, November 14, 2011, 1:00 p.m.,

at the Quartzsite Senior Center, 40 Moon Mountain Road,

Quartzsite, Arizona.

Purpose of the Public Meeting/Hearing:

Discussion of proposed re-districting of the La Paz County Board of Supervisor Districts and Community College District

Gary Howell memorial service

2011-11-06T10:27:00.000-08:00

Gary Howell's memorial service will be held on Monday, Nov. 7th at 10am, at the Church of Jesus Christ-Latter Day Saints, on Riggles Rd. in Quartzsite. There will be a Summerland Farewell for friends and family, 6 pm Monday evening at Gary’s home:

(645 Spring Lane, Quartzsite).

Vol 1 issue 18

2011-11-06T10:23:00.000-08:00

BLM press release

2011-10-26T12:22:00.000-07:00

For Release: October 26, 2011

Contacts: Dennis Godfrey and Deborah Stevens, (602) 417-9504

Rachel Tueller, (435) 688-3200

BLM Issues Final Environmental Impact Statement for Proposed Withdrawal from New Mining Claims near Grand Canyon

St. George, Utah – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today released the Northern Arizona Proposed Withdrawal Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for public review. The Final EIS analyzes the potential effects of withdrawing federal lands near the Grand Canyon in Arizona from location and entry under the 1872 Mining Law and identifies a preferred alternative that would withdraw about 1 million acres, subject to valid existing rights.

A withdrawal would prevent individuals and companies from staking new mining claims; however, currently approved operations could continue and new operations could be approved on valid existing mining claims. Uranium, like oil and gas, solar, wind, geothermal and other resources, remains a vital component of a responsible and comprehensive energy plan for the United States. In addition to possible development of any valid existing claims on any lands that are withdrawn, other federal lands in Arizona and other parts of the country remain open to hardrock mining claims, including those for uranium.

“The Grand Canyon is an iconic place for all Americans and visitors from around the world,” said BLM Director Bob Abbey. “Uranium remains an important part of our nation’s comprehensive energy resources, but it is appropriate to pause, identify what the predicted level of mining and its impacts on the Grand Canyon would be, and decide what level of risk is acceptable to take with this national treasure. The preferred alternative would allow for cautious, continued development with strong oversight that could help us fill critical gaps in our knowledge about water quality and environmental impacts of uranium mining in the area.”

In June 2011, based on BLM analysis that began in 2009 and nearly 300,000 comments from the public, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar directed BLM to identify the preferred alternative in the EIS as Alternative B, the Proposed Action, which would withdraw about 1 million acres of federal land in the vicinity of the Grand Canyon for 20 years from the 1872 Mining Law, subject to valid existing rights. The Final EIS estimates that as many as 11 uranium mines could be operational over the next 20 years under the preferred alternative, including the four mines currently approved.

The BLM is the lead agency that, in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Park Service, prepared the Final EIS, which will be used to support a final decision by the Secretary of the Interior on the proposed withdrawal. The Final EIS responds to hundreds of thousands of public comments on the Draft EIS released to the public on Feb. 18, 2011 http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/mining/timeout/deis.html, and discloses the potential impacts that withdrawing the lands from location and entry under the 1872 Mining Law would have on the environment and natural and cultural resources.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act regulations, a notice published by the Environmental Protection Agency in tomorrow’s Federal Register initiates a 30-day review period after which the Secretary of Interior can make and issue a final decision.

In addition to analyzing the potential impacts of the Proposed Action, the Final EIS has analyzed three other alternatives to the proposed action. In all of the alternatives, any withdrawal would be subject to valid existing rights.

The four alternatives analyzed are:

· Alternative A is the No Action Alternative, under which no withdrawal would occur and mineral exploration and mining would continue throughout the study area in accordance with existing BLM and Forest Service regulations and land use plans.

· Alternative B is the Proposed Action, which is to withdraw approximately 1,006,545 acres of federal lands from location and entry under the 1872 Mining Law for 20 years, while allowing previously approved operations to continue and new operations to be authorized on mining claims with valid existing rights. The federal lands are located in three parcels, two parcels north of the Grand Canyon National Park on BLM Arizona Strip lands and the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest, and one south of the Grand Canyon on the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest. The proposed action would not affect disposition or development of the lands under the mineral leasing, geothermal leasing, mineral materials, or public land laws.

· Alternative C is to withdraw a reduced acreage within the same three parcels amounting to approximately 648,802 acres of federal lands from location and entry under the 1872 Mining Law for 20 years. As with the Proposed Action, mining could continue at previously-approved mines and new operations could be authorized on mining claims with valid existing rights. This alternative would withdraw the largest contiguous area identified on resource location maps with concentrations of cultural, hydrologic, recreational, visual, and biological resources, which could be adversely affected by locatable mineral exploration and mining. As with the Proposed Action, Alternative C would not prevent disposition or development under the mineral leasing, geothermal leasing, mineral materials, or public land laws.

· Alternative D is to withdraw a further reduced acreage within the same three parcels amounting to 292,086 acres from location and entry under the 1872 Mining Law. As with the Proposed Action, mining could continue at previously-approved mines and new operations could be authorized on mining claims with valid existing rights. This alternative would withdraw the contiguous area identified on resource location maps where there is the highest concentration of overlapping cultural, hydrologic, recreational, visual, and biological resources, which could be adversely affected by locatable mineral exploration and mining. As with the Proposed Action, Alternative D would not prevent disposition or development under the mineral leasing, geothermal leasing, mineral materials, or public land laws.

Information can be found at http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/mining/timeout/feis.html or by calling (602) 417-9504 or (435) 688-3200.

The BLM manages more land – over 245 million acres – than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM’s multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.

- BLM -

October 20th, 2011 volume 1 issue 17

2011-10-21T18:16:00.000-07:00

Messages from Quartzsite citizens

2011-10-14T07:55:00.000-07:00

Please publish if you will.

dennis

And a letter posted from someone, so blatantly false on every assertion (except possibly that Richard paints cars in Mexico...) that it is apparent why they didn't bother to check their facts...or sign their name to it! An interesting week!

3rd arrest for activist Dana Stadler

2011-10-12T15:56:00.000-07:00

Dana Stadler was arrested Monday, Columbus Day around 11 am for allegedly "assaulting" our newly appointed member of the Quartzsite Personnel Board, Denise Florian.

Florian claims Stadler touched her rear end as he walked by, but Stadler insists he was nowhere near her. Florian has a very colorful past, and is expected to be a less than credible witness. Stadler was released on a $500 bond. He retreived his motocycle from impound today. This is the third arrest for Stadler since writing messages against the police and town council with children's sidewalk chalk on the courtyard in front of town hall.

The DESERT FREEDOM PRESS, vol 1 issue 16 October 6th

2011-10-08T10:48:00.000-07:00

Quartzsite police arrest activist without warrant for misdemeanor

2011-10-03T19:19:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Activist Dana Stadler, age 58, was arrested this afternoon on a charges of "harassment, disorderly conduct, interfering with judicial proceedings" relating to an encounter Saturday afternoon outside of the McDonalds in Quartzsite, wherein he told councilman "Machine Gun Joe" Winslow "You're a worthless piece of shit." This is the second warrant-less misdemeanor arrest in a week for Stadler, who many feel is simply being punished by Police Chief Jeff Gilbert for participating in copblock.org 's "chalk the police" day, on October 1st.

Stadler's first warrant-less arrest was for starting his chalking criticism of the Police Chief a few days early, on Tuesday, September 27th, prior to the town council meeting. Apparently, the police were unaware that n 1995, the 9th Circuit Federal Appellate Court ruled that chalk did not cause actual property damage, in Mackinney v Nielson.

Quartzsite Councilman Joe Winslow is becoming infamous for his erratic behavior, bizarre comments, and a string of ridiculous charges against anyone who criticizes him. Winslow filed for a restraining order against Michel Roth, for calling him a "turd", had local videographer Doug Gilford arrested for asking him why he refused to put the police chief on administrative leave, and for ordering town police to forcefully remove Jennifer Jones from a town council meeting over the orders of Quartzsite Mayor Ed Foster.

No mayor for Quartzsite?

2011-09-22T18:11:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

This morning, something happened in the La Paz County Superior Court that few expected. Mayor Elect Jose' Lizarraga was determined to be "unqualified" if he failed to obtain and file a bond prior to taking office, as required by Quartzsite Town Code.This was only one of several allegations made against him by third place mayoral candidate Jennifer Jones, who contested Lizarraga's eligibility for office.

Lizarraga had not filed the required response to the contest of the August 30th mayoral election, and did not show up to court today. Contestant Jones motioned for a default judgment, but Judge Michael Burke stated the law allowed for the hearing to proceed "ex parte".

No one was present to legally represent the interests of the town, after Judge Burke had granted them intervention for relief, in the event that Lizarraga was found ineligible under the law. However, Jones argued that:

"The arguments listed in the town’s motion to intervene were based on false premise. First, election contests were not known at common law and therefore they are purely statutory and are special proceedings, not actions at law or suits in equity. Harless v. Lockwood, 85 Ariz. 97, 32 P.2d 887 (1958); Brown v. Superior Court in and for Santa Cruz County, 81 Ariz. 236, 303 P.2d 990 (1956).

This means the procedure is strictly in accordance with ARS §16-671 through 16-678. Nowhere in these statutes is there a right of intervention and the parties are limited to contestor and contestee under ARS §16-673, 16-674.B, and 16-675. The Town of Quartzsite is not a party under these statutes."

Jones also asserted that Town Attorney Martin Brannan had erred in his claim that the town council has an “absolute right” bestowed upon it to appoint a mayor, to fill a vacant position, and that the mayor's seat must be filled by election, under state law and town code. Judge Burke grudgingly concurred.

The town of Quartzsite will apparently not have a mayor, until the next election, in the spring of 2012. Because Arizona law states: "In case of the absence of the mayor the council may appoint one of their number to act in his stead.", Vice mayor Barbara Cowell is expected to chair the meetings, approve the minutes, and perform other mayor duties, but cannot assume the title or stipend of the position.

A written ruling in the case is expected within five days.

Town granted intervention in Jones v Lizarraga election dispute

2011-09-21T12:58:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Tomorrow morning at 10:00 am, there will be a one hour hearing at the La Paz County Superior Court regarding Jennifer Jone's contest of the mayoral recall election in Quartzsite, AZ - Case No. CV201100117. Mayor-elect Jose' Lizarraga did not file a timely response, but the Town of Quartzsite filed a request to intervene, and Judge Burke granted the request, prepared by Town Attorney Martin Brannan. Jone's contest of the election maintains that Jose' Lizarraga is ineligible under town ordinance 2-1-10, and since incumbent Mayor Ed Foster had the second highest number of votes he is not recalled.

The La Paz County Superior Court is located at:

1316 Kofa Ave, Suite 607
Parker, AZ 85344

Phone: 928-669-6131
Fax: 928-669-2186

Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm

Vol 1 issue 15

2011-09-16T17:49:00.000-07:00

Quartzsite serves termination notice on police whistleblowers

2011-09-15T17:37:00.000-07:00

Officers Dominguez, Norris, Yeomans, Frakes and Kemp, of the Quartzsite Police Department who filed complaints against Police Chief Jeff Gilbert in May have been given a letter of intent to terminate by the Town of Quartzsite today, for appearing in Federal Court on Friday, instead of being on "house arrest". They were ordered to a termination hearing tomorrow, Sept 16th.

QPOA officers with Rep. Carl Seel, at Quartzsite Liberty Fest.

Quartzsite Officers statements about Quartzsite "emergency" on July 10th, 2011

2011-09-14T17:06:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The following are the sworn statements of Quartzsite Police Officers James Kemp and Michelle Norris, made to the Office of the Attorney General, Open Meeting Law Enforcement Team (OMLET), regarding the declaration of an "emergency" in Quartzsite on Sunday, 7-10-11

Statement by Officer Kemp About “Emergency” Condition

07/10/11, J.C. Kemp Q35

Narrative:

On 07-10-11, I went to the Quartzsite Police Station to pick up some paperwork from my box. Upon entering the station, I saw Ofc. Norris, Ofc. Rodriguez, and Chief Gilbert. As I stopped to check the warrants board, I heard Ofc. Norris call me and ask me to come into the patrol room where they were

I entered and asked them what was going on. The Chief explained that earlier that morning, the Town Council had called a special meeting to announce a state of emergency in Quartzsite, due to threatening emails sent to them and the Chief. The Chief then proceeded to read me an email that said something to the effect that the person who wrote the email would not mind if the Chief was killed.

Ofc. Norris then cut in and asked him why she and Ofc. Rodriguez, who were on duty that day, had not been informed of a state of emergency. The Chief stated that he had been unaware of what the council was going to do until just a short time ago at the meeting.

At his words, I grew angry, as I had been shown an email from Chief to the La Paz County Sheriff's Office asking for their assistance, as death threats had been issued over the internet, and Quartzsite was discussing calling a state of emergency.

I asked the Chief how serious a threat he thought it really was, if he had not told his own officers in advance, as all officers receive death threats, usually in person while making an arrest. Chief again said he had not told us, as he himself did not know the town was calling a state of emergency till just a few minutes ago. I again asked him if the threat was actually credible. At this point, he seemed to get visibly angry at me, and asked me, "How can you of all people not take this threat seriously?"

I told the Chief that since we now "knew", we needed to call and inform all the officers working for our department that the town was in a state of emergency. The Chief said no, that the officers would be informed as they arrived for their shifts of duty. I said I believed that if death threats were being made against Quartzsite Officers, and since the people making the threats were local and knew where all the Officers lived, we needed to inform all Law Enforcement Officers right away, to heighten their alertness at home as well as on the street, working. The Chief shook his head, and stated the Officers would be notified over the next few days as they arrived for duty.

At this time, I turned away from Chief and told Ofc. Norris and Ofc. Rodriguez that we needed to call all the officers and give them a heads up, and that I personally intended to do just that myself. Chief then left the station.

Ofc. Norris then told me that she and Ofc. Rodriguez had been called to town hall, where they were confronted by a crowd of people who were upset and angry, because the town was declaring a state of emergency, and the Chief was going to be in charge of everything. Ofc. Norris said she was so angry that Chief had let them walk into the situation blind, with no warning, that after the meeting, she followed him to the Eatery and confronted him in the parking lot. Ofc. Norris stated that the Chief told them to meet him at the station.

I called Sgt. Ponce and told him what had happened, and the reasons why Ofc. Norris was upset. I then mentioned to Sgt. Ponce the email we saw on Friday the 8th, 2011, and told him it was wrong of Chief not to warn us, since he obviously knew before the meeting occurred on the 10th. Sgt. Ponce also recalled the ewmail, and told me he would inform the other officers.

End. James C. Kemp

Statement by Officer Norris About “Emergency” Condition

On July 10th 2011, I was dispatched to 465 N Plymouth Road to the Quartzsite Town Hall in reference to suspicious activity. While en route dispatch said that they received a call from Ed Foster who advised that he was told he was to meet Chief Gilbert at Town Hall and it was suspicious. Upon arrival, I noticed a large amount of people in the parking lot of Town Hall. As I got out of my vehicle several people, including Ed Foster came up to myself and Officer Rodriguez. They were angry saying that an illegal meeting was going on and they were locked out and not allowed in town hall. Foster said that he was at home when Chief Gilbert and Xavier Fausto came and asked him to go with them to Town Hall for an emergency meeting. Foster said he refused to ride down with them but said drove to the Town Hall in his own vehicle. When he walked up to the doors of town hall he noticed all the council members and some of town hall staff were there having a meeting. Foster said it was an illegal meeting. He said Xavier Fausto opened the door and told Foster they were having an emergency meeting. Foster said he told them the meeting was not legal, was not open to the public and said he would not attend. He said Frausto refused to allow anyone to attend the meeting and he locked the door so no one could get inside the building. Foster said he wanted to file a complaint. After several attempts to contact Chief Gilbert and Sgt. Fausto, Officer Rodriguez contacted dispatch and requested assistance from a La Paz County Officer. An Officer from La Paz County Sheriff's Office arrived and talked to Officer Rodriguez and to Ed Foster. I was at the back of the building when the meeting ended and Chief Gilbert walked out. He told me not to allow anyone at the back of the building or in the rear parking lot. Chief Gilbert and Xavier Frausto then gave council members a ride home. I was confused as to what emergency was taking place because I had seen Chief Gilbert several times that morning. I was in the office earlier that day and Chief Gilbert walked in, went past me and into his office. He never said anything to me about an emergency. I had been passed multiple times by both Chief Gilbert and Xavier Frausto several times in different places while driving around town that morning and had attempted to call both of them several times but neither of them would answer. I felt if there was some type of emergency in town then Officer Rodriguez and I should be notified for safety reasons since we were the officers on duty at the time. I saw Chief Gilbert drive into the Main Street Eatery Restaurant and Laundry Mat.

I turned around and pulled into the parking lot. I asked Chief Gilbert if he could explain to me why there was a State of Emergency in Quartzsite. I told him I was upset that I and another officer had been on Duty for several hours today and not been notified of any emergency. If there was an emergency I felt for officer safety reasons, we should have been notified right away. Chief Gilbert said he had planned on telling us later but would go ahead and talk to us now. He said to meet him at our office. Officer Rodriguz and I met Chief Gilbert at the office. Officer Kemp had walked into the officer and joined our conversation. Chief Gilbert told us that Quartzsite Officials, Council Members, and Officers had received a lot of death threats via email in the past week and because of this a state of emergency had been called. I explained to Chief Gilbert that I was upset and I didn't feel it was right that he had enough death threats on Officers, Officials, and Council Members to cause a State of Emergency, yet he didn't notify his officers of this information. I explained to him that knowing the officers are the easiest targets because we can be easily identified, we should have been and could have easily been notified by him as soon as the death threats were received. Officer Michelle Norris

Quartzsite mayoral recall election challenge filed in Superior Court

2011-09-09T12:10:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Thursday, September 8th, a legal challenge to the election of Jose Lizarraga was filed in the La Paz County Superior Court by Jennifer Jones, publisher of The DESERT FREEDOM PRESS. Jones was also a candidate on the ballot for the mayor recall election that unseated popular "people's mayor" Ed Foster, but had publicly asked voters to support Foster.

The summons was served on Mayor Elect Lizarraga's wife this morning, at their home, by a private process server. Lizarraga has until 5 pm Wednesday, September 14th, to file a response with the court. The civil case is between private parties Jones and Lizarraga, so town attorney(s) may not represent the newly elected mayor. Jones filed "in pro per", and will represent herself.

The Contest of Election surrounds Lizarraga's eligibility under Quartzsite Town Code 2-1-10. Ironically, Mayor Foster wanted this town ordinance repealed, and placed it on the Council Agenda last spring, but the council including Lizarraga supported the ordinance and voted in favor of taking no action. They refused to even engage in public discussion on the matter with Foster.

From the complaint:

Statement Specific Facts Disqualifying Contestee from Office of Mayor
5.   Arizona Revised Statutes Authorizes this Statement of Contest. Arizona Revised Statutes, Section 16-672.A.2 provides that an elector may contest the election of any person declared elected who was, at the time of the election, not eligible to hold the office.
6.    Contestee Violated the State of Arizona’s Open Meeting Law. On December 21, 2010 at a Town Meeting, Contestee and the majority of the Town Council violated the Open Meeting Law. In an opinion by the Office of the La Paz County Attorney dated January 28, 2011 and attached hereto as Exhibit “B” County Attorney Samuel Vederman states on page 6: “it is our belief that the Open Meeting Law was violated.” On page 3 of that letter, County Attorney Vederman clearly points out the Contestee participated and violated the Open Meeting Law at that time. In Exhibit “C”, (an article in the Arizona Republic dated July 17, 2011, on page 4, 11 lines from the bottom) it states: “In interviews, Lizarraga [the Contestee] and Lukkasson…said they do not care if some council meetings are deemed unlawful or if public-records laws are broken.” Further, at “Meet the Candidates” night, on August 27, 2011, Contestee publicly acknowledged that the December 21, 2010 Town meeting did violate Open Meeting Law. This demonstrates a clear and express violation of Quartzsite Municipal Code 2-1-10 C wherein it states that a violation of open meeting laws is a disqualification to run for office. Contestee is currently under investigation for additional violations of the Open Meeting Law by the Arizona Attorney General’s Open Meeting Law Enforcement Team.
7. Contestee Thwarted Mayor Ed Foster’s Investigation into wrong-doing by the Town Council and Contestee. Former Quartzsite Mayor Ed Foster undertook a series of investigations into possible misappropriation, misuse and waste of Town funds. Town Council and Contestee undertook actions to thwart Mayor Foster’s efforts at every turn, to wit:
(a) Town Council Including Contestee Refused to allow Mayor Foster and Contestant to have access to public records. The Town, under the direction of the Town Council (including Contestee) refused to provide records to the Contestant, which were determined to be within the scope of Open Records, as determined by Arizona Ombudsman – Citizen’s Aide. The Town, under the direction of the Town Council (including Contestee) also refused Mayor Foster’s repeated request for records related to Town checks, which Mayor Foster suspected of being questionable. Attached hereto as Exhibit “D” is a true and correct copy of the ”Final Report of Investigation” by Arizona Ombudsman-Citizens’s Aide which has findings that the “Town wrongfully denied [the Mayor’s] public records request. Contestee was a member of the Town Council and voted wrongfully to deny said request. Indeed, paragraph (b) below details the length that Contestee went to secret records from Mayor Foster.
(b) Town Council Including Contestee Unlawfully changed its laws to Thwart the Mayor’s investigation into Town Council and Contestee’s actions. In a meeting of the Town Council held on Tuesday, June 8, 2010, Town Council and Contestee passed a resolution prohibiting the Mayor from receiving any reports from the Town without an approval vote of the Town Council. (See Attachment “E” resolution 060810-6). This unlawfully restricts the powers of the Mayor which under Arizona Revised Statutes, 9-236 states that “The mayor of the common council shall be the chief executive officer of the town..” Further, this effort by the Town Council and Contestee to stop the Mayor from obtaining records that must be available to a chief executive officer of a Town constitutes felonious secreting of documents under Arizona Revised Statutes, 38-421 which makes it a felony for an officer having custody of any record to…”secret the whole or part thereof…”   Contestee voted “Aye” on this illegal provision for the express and felonious purpose of keeping records from Mayor Ed Foster.
    (c) Town Council Including Contestee Engaged in Various Acts in violation of the law which have as a primary purpose to thwart investigation into Contestee’s misdeeds. Town Council and Contestee engaged in a pattern of illegal and outrageous acts designed to thwart investigation into Contestee’s illegal acts, to wit:
(i)    At the October 26, 2010 Town Council meeting, the Town Council, including Contestee, sanctioned, by ordinance and participated in the unlawful restriction of content based speech during “Call to the Public” after being provided with case law by Contestant. Contestee voted “Aye” on this illegal provision. Subsequently, on June 28, 2011, a video of denial of Contestant’s rights to speak was posted on Youtube and was viewed over two hundred thousand times and resulted in national and international attention being focused on Quartzsite. (See: Exhibit “G”)
(ii)    At the October 26, 2010 Town Council meeting, the Town Council, including Contestee, sanctioned by ordinance, and participated in the unlawful revocation of Town business licenses and vendor permits without Due Process of Law. Contestee voted “Aye” on this illegal provision. (See: Exhibit “G”)
(iii)    Contestee has violated his sworn oath of office while a member of Town Council, and other acts in violation of law as set forth in Exhibit “D” attached hereto and made a part hereof.
    8.    Contestee participated in his unlawful swearing in to office as Mayor.   Contestee was sworn in as mayor at a special meeting on September 6, 2011. (Note the swearing in and the completion of the canvas of election and declaration of results thereof was done at the same time at the special meeting. Quartzsite Town Code, section 2-1-3 (See Exhibit “A”) provides that “Council Members shall assume the duties of office at the regularly scheduled Council meeting next following the date of the general election.” Neither this code section or any other section whatsoever authorizes Contestee to be sworn in at a special Town Council meeting.   Contestee usurped the office of mayor before the time to contest the election has expired. Also, under information and belief Contestant understands that Contestee failed to obtain a bond for the office of mayor (as required by Quartzsite Town Code 2-1-7) prior to being sworn in. (See Exhibit “A” ).

Lizarraga usurps Foster as mayor of Quartzsite

2011-09-08T10:13:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, September 6th, 2011 candidate and former Councilman Jose Lizarraga was sworn in as mayor, in a special meeting of the Quartzsite Town Council. The unusual action was not undisputed. Town Attorney/Town Prosecutor Martin Brannan's contention that it was a lawful maneuver was questioned in a written complaint, by The DESERT FREEDOM PRESS publisher and mayoral candidate Jennifer Jones. Mayor Ed Foster, who was recalled by the wife of Councilman Jerry Lukkasson, was expected to retain his position for another week, until the regular council meeting.

Quartzsite videographer arested in town hall

2011-09-02T16:34:00.000-07:00

Another critic of Quartzsite officials has been jailed in what appears to be retaliation. Local Realtor Doug Gilford has gained notoriety as the blogger and videographer who filmed the unlawful removal of Desert Freedom Press Publisher Jennifer Jones, from a June 28th town council meeting. The video has been viewed over two hundred thousand times on Gilford's YouTube channel.

Yesterday afternoon, around 3:30 Gilford was at the counter in Town Hall, filing an open records request for town hall feed surveillance tape when Assistant Town Manager Al Johnson confronted Gilford. Apparently feeling threatened, Gilford set his camera on the counter but didn't hit record, when suddenly Johnson snatched it from across the counter. When Gilford called for police assistance, he ended up being arrested instead of Johnson.

Gilford was booked into the La Paz County jail on charges of harassment, trespassing, and false reporting to law enforcement. He was released on $500 bond. Mayor Ed Foster and Doug's wife Teri picked him up at time around 8pm last night.

Since filming the now infamous Jennifer Jones video, Doug Gilford has been assaulted with a barrage of misdemeanor charges. He was charged with three counts of harassment and noticed to turn himself into the La Paz County Jail for asking Councilman Winslow a question about the town council's failure to put embattled Police Chief Jeff Gilbert on administrative leave, following criminal allegations by 80% of his department.
See: http://www.youtube.com/user/1qtown#p/u/34/KAEE5Rl0Pz0

When Gilford showed up at his arraignment this week, he was informed that he was being charged with ten additional misdemeanors for harassment, disorderly conduct and false reporting to law enforcement, for complaints he had filed against town officials. He will be arraigned on all thirteen charges on September 13th, at 10am, in the Quartzsite Magistrate Court, under Judge Karen Slaughter.

Gilford has been for driving around town with a large sign directed at the Quartzsite Town Council that reads: "GO QUIT RESIGN!"

He has no prior criminal history, and is best known for his volunteer work with the homeless with his wife Teri.

For more information, follow Doug's blog at: http://qtown.us/blog/

Lizzarraga beats Foster

2011-08-30T21:14:00.000-07:00

Town of Quartzsite recall election

	Percent	Votes
FOSTER, ED (NP)	42.20%	230
JONES, JENNIFER (NP)	4.22%	23
LIZARRAGA, JOSE (NP)	53.03%	289
Write-in (NP)	0.55%	3
		545

Hundreds attend Quartzsite Liberty Fest

2011-08-30T12:35:00.000-07:00

http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Article/095500-2011-08-27-quartzsite-live-coverage-of-oathkeeper-event-photo-update-4.htm

http://www.parkerliveonline.com/2011/08/29/quartzsite-rally-attracts-hundreds/

Saturday’s Quartzsite Liberty Festival made its mark on Quartzsite Saturday as planned, despite temperatures of 114 to 117 degrees.
The rally was arranged to protest the actions of the town’s council and police chief, most conspicuously the treatment of Quartzsite police officers who were suspended or fired in what the protestors say was retaliation for bringing formal allegations against Chief Jeff Gilbert.
Marchers chanted “Quartzsite Ten, oath-keeping men” as they walked over 2.5 miles from an RV park south of I-10, over the freeway bridge and along the streets of Quartzsite to Town Hall.
Several politically active groups were in attendance, including Oath Keepers, the Tea Party Patriots, the Sons of Liberty Riders and campaigners for Ron Paul for President 2012.
Many attendees carried flags, banners and signs. Some were armed with pistols or rifles, and cameras of all sorts. Law enforcement and other authorities were largely absent from the demonstration.
Chilled water bottles were available to the heat-weary crowd, and Grubstake bar and restaurant was flooded with people during a stop-off along the route. Some were seen pouring water over their heads. Others’ clothing appeared to be almost entirely soaked with sweat.
Quartzsite Mayor Ed Foster said people had flown in from around the United States for the rally, from states as far and wide as Alaska, Florida, Texas and Connecticut. “I live here and I’m having a hard time in this heat, so I know, for these people from [colder states], it’s gotta be tough on them”, he said.
Local activist Jennifer Jones, the video of whose arrest at a public meeting provoked outrage on the internet, said the people had braved the weather to send a strong message about the importance of liberty.
Standing in front of the doors of the council chambers that she was hauled out of months earlier, Jones told a cheering crowd, “God bless each and every one of you for coming and standing with the citizens of this town today. Right is right and wrong is wrong, and the rule of law applies to everyone.”
Among the speakers at the event were Arizona State Legislators Carl Seel and Judy Burges, and Libertarian Party activist Barry Hess.

Click here to Get the Ernie Hancock recap halfway down the page at "hour two"

Ausust issue of the Desert Freedom Press, vol 1 issue 14

2011-08-24T12:25:00.000-07:00

Southern Poverty Law Center, Department of Homeland Security, and Quartzsite?

2011-08-23T14:43:00.000-07:00

The Southern Poverty Law Center, sworn enemy of the Tea Party and the liberty movement has been rumored to be planning an infiltration and disruption of the Quartzsite Liberty Fest peace rally in support of town police officers who "blew the whistle" on Chief Jeff Gilbert in May.

While this might ordinarily be a laughable bit of "psychological warfare" aimed at discouraging participation in an afternoon of celebration and music, the following recent blog post from http://freedomfighterradio.net/ which ties SPLC to Homeland Security, and recent World Net Daily article which shows new DHS videos depicting what former Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano believes "domestic terrorists" look like, it does make a compelling, albeit circumstantial case for why Morris Dees and the SPLC might not want to see the citizens of Quartzsite succeed.

Another rumor circulating around town is the Quartzsite Police Chief Jeff Gilbert is contacting outside law enforcement agencies to set up roadblocks and intends to bring in the local SWAT team to assist. Sources confirm that several outside departments declined Gilbert's invitation, and did not want to be affiliated with anything he might be planning. One local resident stated "I think Gilbert may be trying to orchestrate a disturbance to justify the emergency they declared over the bogus death threats. It's no wonder other cops don't take him seriously."

(Re-posted unedited with permission - opinions expressed are those of the original author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Desert Freedom Press)

Source: Freedom Fighter Radio.com

According to Wikipedia, in 1971 Morris Dees and Joseph Levin began a so-called non-profit civil rights organization known as Southern Poverty Law (LIE) Center. This organization claims to have a variety of tasks that has grown through-out the years. Near their inception they had a strategy of filing civil suits for damages on behalf of the victims of hate group harassment, threats, and violence with the goal of financially depleting the responsible groups and individuals.

Originally, the group seemingly had a righteous cause, targeting groups like the KKK. Morris Dees reportedly won a wrongful death suit at one point for a black mother who lost her son to racist violence. I would like to state that I personally feel racism is wrong, for the record! However, this case could shine a negative light on Dees as he allegedly won a massive judgment near $9,000,000.00! The grieving mother was reportedly paid out $51,875.00! Dees near that time is alleged to have started a salary for Dees at a mere $275,000.00 annually. This is where I begin to question, just how righteous the cause of the SPLC actually is?

Morris Dees is portrayed as an expert on terrorism, militias, and the patriot movement! But his behavior, and credibly are called into question in court documents recorded in records from his divorce proceedings! They claim Dees attempted to molest his step daughter. Also in these documents it is alleged that there was inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature which occurred with his future daughter-in-law, as well as many other extramarital engagements!

These documents point out that Dees has an ego the size of Texas as well! We don’t see a lot of current public appearances out of Dees these days as he seems to send his minion, Mark Potok instead. Apparently in 1986 Dees entire legal staff quit in Protest to Dees refusal to address issues such as homelessness, voter registration, and affirmative action! These issues appear to be worth far less money than fighting the KKK to rich benefactors! A former lawyer at SPLC was quoted as saying that SPLC programs were apparently calculated to cash in on “black pain and white guilt.” Anyhow, these are just a few of the juicy historical elements to Dees, and SPLC now I digress to get back on topic.

SPLC grew over the years, and started to broaden their staff, and scope of issues it focused on. The focus continued to include discrimination, civil rights violations, racial segregation, mistreatment of aliens, and separation of church and state issues. It also grew to monitor alleged hate groups, militias, and extremist organizations! The SPLC sprang onto the scene and was used by lame stream media to demonize the resurgent militia movement. This movement resurfaced in recent years due to a lot of American citizens seeing a government stepping out of the framework set up by the founding documents, also known as the law. However, the SPLC doesn’t ever seem to state that! These are the sorts of issues that have lead to the rebirth of the militia, and things like the TEA party. All of which are regularly referred to now as terrorist organizations, which is far from true!

Potok over the last few years along with the backing of the SPLC has been on a media campaign to demonize those seemingly concerned citizen’s who wish to align themselves with the constitution, and the bill of rights. Potok in my opinion and by his own actions could be described as a left wing fanatic himself. The SPLC has been alleged to label themselves as one of the most highly regarded non governmental organizations which monitors hate groups. That has also changed but we will get into that later.

Potok has written an article which ended up published in a communist magazine, although Potok claims no knowledge of how it ended up there! Potok acts as a key spokesman for SPLC in alleged cases of extremism. Potok has been recorded to have had dealings with the United Nation’s as well. Potok has been on the staff of SPLC since 1997, but furthermore has also had dealings with socialists. He has affiliations with Amy Goodman of Democracy Now, which is clearly socialist in origin!

He is also documented as saying in regards to Rep. Peter Kings hearings on Muslims “Well, I think they’re despicable. I think that the truth is, is that Peter King does not come to this with clean hands, quite the opposite. You know, the reality is that this is a guy who has said that 85 to 80 — or 80 to 85 percent of the leaders of mosques are radicals, are jihadists, tied to extremism and so on. And I think that that is objectively entirely false.” However, we who study Islam from the outside know those who adhere to the pedophile prophets teachings are the true extremists!

The most recent estimates we can find are provided by charity navigator, which alleges net assets near $152,000,000.00 in 2010! Dees, Potok, and the rest of the crew certainly seem to be in it for some very good intentions, money. This campaign they have been on as an alleged NGO is questionable at best. I know this has nothing to do with Charles Dyer! However, it does which we will be able to tie in if you just bear with us!

Freedom Fighter Radio has uncovered the names and faces of some other SPLC personnel that will prove interesting as well as affiliated organizations that we believe will also grab your attention. These are some of those affiliate organizations/programs: hate watch, Klan watch, teaching tolerance, intelligence report…. The list goes on! Some of the alleged employee names are as follows: Al Dixon, Harold Thompson, Brian Youngblood, Penny Weaver, Henderson Cornelia, Melanie Mulchahy, and Jennifer Holloday……to name a few!

The warped views of the SPLC are listed as a resource for none of than the Federal Bureau of Investigations for many years now! The SPLC has some warped causes it apparently stands for including illegal immigration, (LBGT) lesbian gay bisexual transgender, socialists and the jihad loving Muslim’s! They apparently have gone against a lot of groups that based there stance on the constitution in recent years. This becomes important for one simple fact, that fact being SPLC was folded into the government! The SPLC was adopted by Department of Homeland Security in October 2010! Remember this fact as it will be pertinent as we get deeper into the rat hole!

Now back to the employees we have discovered to be alleged employees of SPLC! One such employee, we have come to discover is a man employed by according to other articles, and sites we have discovered for the SPLC! His name is Brian Youngblood! Well let us look at what we know about Brian Youngblood, as he might be a little less of a left wing extremist although I doubt it! First, I have gained accessed to a lot of his tweets and apparently he likes to drink. One tweet states “I love the smell of hops in the morning”, which could imply as he does he brew’s beer, but also could lead us to believe he likes to drink! It seems he likes to drink at all hours of the day to me! He certainly seems to imply that in his tweets as well! Brian also has affiliations with intellitours; a GPS guided Tour Company as an expert in computers and telecommunications equipment. This I find interesting due to being personally told by victims of the website Hate Trackers that there was information posted that could have only been gathered by a computer hack, information including pictures only found on one persons personal computer!

Their website also lists him as an IT Professional for SPLC! So by now, you are probably wondering why this clown is important to this story. Well, we found an article that was posted online by CNN tech dated August 12, 1999 that says a lot! The article is titled “Web Trackers Hunt Racist Groups Online”! In the beginning of this article they state “The leader of the hate trackers is the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, Alabama”! To tie this to Brian Youngblood I will also quote the aforementioned article as stating “There, Brian Youngblood heads up a team of 12 that monitors the material at more than 500 Web sites, mostly by hand, as well as a number of chat rooms and news groups.” So the fanatic leftist loons of SPLC are historically tied directly to Hate Trackers! They are also tied directly to our corrupt government as they have been folded into the DHS!

With statements being made by the Hate Trackers Site such as: “We have held on to this information at the request of the FBI, but it has leaked to other entities, so we are going with our story first.” It now becomes more than apparent Hate Trackers is highly likely to be, if not certainly is a government operation, as Jim and I have long suspected! But wait it gets more interesting yet, so don’t go anywhere boys and girls!

So, the FBI, and ATF are two of the agencies who have been involved in Dyer’s persecution! They are now under the blanket of fusion (inter-agency cooperation) that has been laid out by the patriot act! These agencies all get there instructions from the DHS expressly HSAC otherwise known as the Homeland Security Advisory Council! This Council is run by two devout Muslims by the names Arif Alikhan, and Kahreem Al Shora! We brought this to light on previous shows of ours with help of our friend, and author Chris Alexander (retired Marine)!

Oh but wait it gets better yet with other names involved with HSAC like:

Arif Alikhan

Nimco Ahmed,

Omar Alomari,

Asli Bali,

Mohamed Elibiary

(President and CEO, The Freedom and Justice Foundation)

Ronald Haddad (Chief of Police, Dearborn Police Department)

Imam Mohamed Magid (Executive Director, All Dulles Area Muslim Society)

Dalia Mogahed (Gallup Center for Muslim Studies)

Appointed to President Obama’s faith advisory council, was a partner

in an Islamic project whose stated goal was to define,

interpret and implement the concept of the Islamic State in modern times in America

Asim Rehman (Muslim Bar Association of New York)

Nadia Rouman (American Muslim Civic Leadership Institute)!

Those are the apparently devout Muslims working as appointees of the Obama Administration for the HSAC! (Homeland Security Advisory Council) Another, interesting name that is on the HSAC list is Bob Wasserman! My suspicion is that Wasserman is related to Debbie Wasserman-Shultz DNC Chair, who also seems to be heading up the Obama 2012 campaign!

Some of these people, namely the devout Muslims named are likely related by blood to the very people, or at least by there adherence to the blood thirsty beast known as Islam that our country and many other brave souls have meet on the battlefields in far off lands!

To you Patriots out there, pick your friends wisely as the infiltration is deep and beware the enemy is inside the gates! The perimeter has folded and the siege is underway! Pick your battles wisely, and give no quarter to thy enemy for god in heaven will surely not look kindly on us for that!

“Now the Lord is the spirit; and where the spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty.” Second Corinthinian’s 3:17 I for certain would gladly stand with all the other noble souls who can clearly state the mission “Liberty or Death” rather than sell my soul to those who mean to enslave or murder us all! To look at this government one must consider this as well,

2 Peter 2:19 while they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

Galatians 4:31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

May the Lord bless you all, do not forsake the Lord almighty and he will be with you always. The flesh of this earth matters not as we are here for only his divine plan! Liberty is his plan, and when I stand to be judged for my works as all will be I will proudly state I stood for truth and justice under the law of the land and of the Lord!

May you all repent well in Christ, Semper Fidelis,

JT Campbell (USMC Retired, Host of FFR)

Research for this expose’ assisted by Jim Host of Freedom Fighter Radio

Some of the links used in this article posted below:

http://articles.cnn.com/1999-08-12/tech/9908_12_hate.online_1_web-sites-stormfront-white-supremacist?_s=PM:TECH
http://www.freedomfighterradio.net/hsac_cve_working_group_recommendations.pdf
http://start.facemoods.com/results.php?s=brian+youngblood+splc&category=web&a=iron&start=1
http://www.wired.com/politics/law/news/1999/08/21163
http://twitter.com/#!/brianyoungblood
http://www.spoke.com/info/p5QORQJ/JenniferHolladay
http://www.intellitours.com/about_youngblood.php
http://12160.info/profiles/blogs/southern-poverty-law-center
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Southern_Poverty_Law_Center
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_organizations_designated_by_the_Southern_Poverty_Law_Center_as_hate_groups
http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2010/summer/meet-the-patriots
http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2010/summer
http://freedomfighterradio.net/2010/03/10/morris-dees-child-molester-pervert-and-liar/
http://freedomfighterradio.net/2010/03/05/the-southern-poverty-law-center-exposed/
http://refugeeresettlementwatch.wordpress.com/2009/02/05/so-who-the-heck-is-mark-potok-anyway/
http://dailycaller.com/2011/01/22/splc-article-featured-in-communist-newspaper/
http://www.democracynow.org/blog/2011/3/10/mark_potok_peter_king_hearings_on_muslims_despicable
http://start.facemoods.com/results.php?s=+debbie+wasserman+shultz%27s+husband&category=web&a=iron&start=1

QPOA v Quartzsite - case moved to federal court

2011-08-15T22:19:00.000-07:00

Read the minutes: http://bit.ly/q8RnFq

At this afternoon's hearing between members of the Quartzsite Police Officers Association and town officials, defendants Police Chief Jeff Gilbert, Town Manager Alex Taft, and Assistant Town Manager Al Johnson were no shows. They were represented by Justin Pierce, from the firm of Jackson Lewis, hired on the recommendation of the town's insurance. He argued that the motion he had filed just this morning should be considered, despite the attorney for the Quartzsite Police Officers not even having seen it, let alone the opportunity to respond.

The Honorable Randolph Bartlett did not appear not impressed by this last minute maneuver, and proceeded with the hearing to show cause as to why the temporary restraining order should not remain while the officers are given proper due process in their administrative hearings. Presumptively, Bartlett may have given the defense attorney the opportunity to make that argument when his turn came, but things never made it that far.

Officer William Ponce was the first and only one to testify, and he detailed the conduct that resulted in ten members of the Quartzsite Police Department filing complaints against Police Chief Jeff Gilbert, and giving an official vote of "no confidence" in him. After having several objections overruled, the town's attorney asked to approach the bench. After several minutes of discussion between the judge and the attorneys, Judge Bartlett announced that the case has been requested to be moved to the US District Court in Phoenix. He ordered that the paperwork be filed within ten working days, and that the "TRO" remain in place.

Freedom movement artist Jordan Page to play Quartzsite Liberty Festival!

2011-08-14T15:19:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Quartzsite, Arizona's "Liberty Fest" is shaping up to be a historic event. The event will center around a non partisan August 27th 10 am banner and flag march to the steps of Quartzsite Town Hall, followed by speeches and a live radio broadcast by Ernest Hancock of "Declare your Independence". A pot luck dinner gathering will feature live entertainment.

It has just been announced that well known musician and freedom fighter Jordan Page, has been confirmed for Saturday evening, and other artists are currently in negotiation to perform.

The Quartzsite Liberty Festival was inspired by ten members of the Quartzsite Police Department who chose to honor their oath to the Constitution, and ask for a formal criminal and ethical investigation into their boss, Police Chief Jeff Gilbert. Law enforcement officers and patriots from around the country wanted a way to show support for the "Quartzsite 10", after facts surrounding the actions by town leaders became a national news story.

According to the website for Oath Keepers, "The Quartzsite Liberty Festival will also support the concerned citizenry of Quartzsite, local activists such as grass-roots journalist Jennifer ‘Jade’ Jones, and the town Mayor, the Honorable Ed Foster (a Marine veteran), who have stood up for the free speech rights of the citizens."

In addition to the Greater Phoenix Tea Party and the Oath Keepers, patriot groups such as the Ron Paul R3volution, Sons of Liberty Riders, Campaign for Liberty and others have RSVP'd for the event.

For more information about the event, contact:
Arizona Oath Keepers – Contact Mike Frye: mrteapartyfrye@gmail.com phone -- 623-521-3612
Oath Keepers Board of Directors – Contact Elias Alias
eliasalias@gmail.com phone -- 406-285-6597

For more information on musician Jordan Page, see:
http://jordanpagemusic.com/
and
http://www.myspace.com/jordanpagemusic

Quartzsite 8-9-11 Council meeting was anything but "regular"

2011-08-12T21:50:00.000-07:00

Mayor Ed Foster had called for a special meeting to be held Tuesday morning at 9am, in order to give the town council a chance to make their ongoing "emergency" legal. Recently reprimanded Town Attorney Martin Brannan advised the council it was an "illegal meeting" just because it had not been posted to the town website.

However, Quartzsite Town Code section 2-4-2 states that the mayor can call a special meeting with twenty four hours notice, and that "In the case of an actual emergency, a meeting may be held upon such notice as is appropriate to the circumstances." Brannans assertion that the special meeting agenda needed to be posted to the town website in order to be legal might therefore mean that despite declaring an emergency in a locked door emergency meeting, there was no "actual emergency".

Mayor Foster had posted the notice of the special meeting on bulletin boards around town, as well as notifying Town Clerk Karen Norris that it needed to be posted last week. Foster stated that Norris had been prohibited from doing her job. Norris had placed Mayor Foster's agenda item on the "regular" meeting agenda, scheduled for the same time. Town Manager Alex Taft is ultimately responsible for the town's website updates.

Town Attorney Brannan insists that the "regular" meeting is legal, because three council members signed for it, but that would only be required for a "special" meeting as stipulated by Town Code 2-4-2. A "regular meeting" is held only at 7 pm, accordin to Town Code 2-4-1 and has a set agenda that includes public comment as outlined in 2-4-6. From the audience reaction, it appeared that even the laypersons watching this intentional violation of law understood the complexities of what was taking place. The Attorney General's Office is now reviewing this video.

Other meeting highlights, included a report by the town manager that included the following:

The Town Engineer suggested going forward with a “transportation master plan”. The cost of the plan could be funded through an ADOT “Planning for Rural Assistance Grant” and monies would go to the town engineer for the study.

A “Safe Routes to School Grant” is in pre planning stage with ADOT. Town Manager Alex Taft had previously indicated that the grant was needed to improve walking safety for the elderly on a road that is conveniently located near the elementary school.

The Hi Jolly way finding and B10 landscaping grant has been started. It will fund placing signs on the Interstate telling drivers where the "Hi Jolly" cemetary monument is, and for landscaping along Main St near the McDonalds. This will be paid for by ADOT enhancement funds.

According to Taft, Quartzsite is receiving a 3.7 million grant by the USDA for wastewater treatment expansion.

The consent agenda was approved without questioning why payroll is still not listed by which amout was paid to what employee, and it contained the following curious item:

3. Approval of ratification of actions regarding Regular Council Meetings and public participation; approved by Council at the Emergency Meeting of July 10, 2011.

As predicted, Mike Jewitt was appointed to fill the council vacancy left by Jose Lizarraga, who stepped down to run against Ed Foster in the August 30th recall election. Jewitt was appointed and sworn in with such haste that Vice Mayor Cowell didn't bother to state "motion carried".

Item 3, to execute an agreement to take part of the "Rice Ranch" property from Chaunce Hamilton for town use was passed.

Item 4, to possibly train a town employee to conduct backflow testing of wells was postponed. Ironically, Assistant Town Manager Al Johnson had a meeting in the Planning and Zoning Office with someone from a backflow company the previous afternoon.

Lastly, item 5, the town will give a reduction in the "per fixture" water and sewer rates to churches for the summer months, but not to the towns nearly vacant RV parks.

Missing audio minutes of secret "emergency " council meeting now available

2011-08-10T22:30:00.000-07:00

Even though they were promised to the media almost a month ago, the audio, direct from Quartzsite Town Hall microphones has finally made it out of the building.

Received from an open records request that was filled by Town Clerk Karen Norris. Now the world can hear for themselves what constitutes an open ended "emergency" in an American town.

Norris had been away on "sick leave" since the July 10th "emergency" locked door council meeting, and reappeared long enough to download these files, and attend yesterdays unorthodox council meeting, but has again disappeared. Many now speculate that she has been suspended or terminated, and sources reveal that she retained legal council several weeks ago as the town's political climate has become volitile.

The details of yesterday's potentially unlawful town council meeting will be posted here tomorrow.

Declare Your Independence" radio to broadcast live from Quartzsite!

2011-08-07T22:31:00.000-07:00

LIVE From Quartzsite Monday and Tuesday Noon to 2pm

http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Media/094453-2011-08-09-live-from-quartzsite-az-noon-to-2pm.htm

Listen to Monday's show:
FIRST HOUR
SECOND HOUR

Tyson's R.V. Park "Community Room" - 350 W Main Quartzsite, AZ - Noon to 2pm Both Monday and Tuesday - Public invited to attend and peacefully participate.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=350+W+Main+St,+Quartzsite,+AZ+85346&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rlz=1R1GGLA_en___US375&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl

EVERYBODY on ALL sides get to have their say!

Peace,

Ernest Hancock
602 717 5900

The "terrorists" are coming? August 27th and 28th, 2011

2011-08-05T19:36:00.000-07:00

Do these Americans look like terrorists to you? Apparently, they look like a "terrorist" threat to Quartzsite Police Chief Jeff Gilbert. According to his own statements at Wednesday's "coffee with cops" Gilbert has reported the upcoming "occupation" of Quartzsite by the Tea Party and the Oath Keepers to the "FBI and any other agency that would listen".

Patriots from around the nation will arrive Saturday August 27th for "Quartzsite Liberty Festival", a peaceful show of support for The Quartzsite Police Officers Association "whistle blowers", Mayor Ed Foster, and the oppressed citizens of the town.

According to the Oath Keepers website, "Oath Keepers will muster, along with the Sons of Liberty Riders, the Sons of Liberty, the Greater Phoenix Tea Party Patriots, the Campaign For Liberty, and numerous other patriot/Constitutionalist groups". A FaceBook page states that the Ron Paul group "Arizona R3volution", and the USA Riders have also RSVP'd for the event.

Local merchants are already making plans to accommodate the much needed boost to the economy. The real question is, what will Quartzsite chose to show the world? Will citizens join together in solidarity for a peaceful and patriotic weekend? Or will our guests be greeted by riot police?

http://www.infowars.com/quartzsite-police-chief-calls-oath-keepers-and-tea-party-%E2%80%9Cterrorists%E2%80%9D-and-reports-them-to-the-fbi/comment-page-1/#comments

http://oathkeepers.org/oath/2011/07/28/quartzsite/

Quartzsite breaking news

2011-08-04T13:47:00.000-07:00

Mayor Foster has called a special meeting for Tuesday morning at 9 am.
http://qtown.us/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-09-Meeting.pdf
On the agenda is "Discussion and possible action to declare that a state of emergency exists in Quartzsite, AZ (Open for public discussion)

Since AG Tom Horne issued a press release stating that "we are prepared to say that, based on review of a video of a July 10 meeting, there is reasonable cause to believe that there has been a violation of the Open Meeting Law, inasmuch as the public was excluded." the actions taken at that "secret" meeting are therefore legally null and void and must be reratified by the council. Now, thanks to Mayor Foster, Quartzsite Councilmembers and staff will be able to plead their case to the citizens and make it a lawful decision on whether angry emails created an "emergency" as defined by town code.

Here's the link to the most recent story on Quartzsite by CBS News in Yuma, discussing Assistant Town Manager Al Johnson's "contempt of court" :
http://www.kswt.com/story/15211002/court-slaps-quartzsite-with-temporary-restraining-order
There will be an exclusive interview on tonight's newscast at 10 pm with QPOA President Will Ponce.

A national fund has been set up to offset legal fees incurred in defense of "The Quartzsite ten" http://www.facebook.com/pages/Supporters-of-Mayor-Ed-Foster-of-Quartzsite-Arizona/118461931576665?sk=notes#!/note.php?note_id=131856113570580

Publisher Jennifer Jones will be the featured speaker at the Arizona Breakfast Club on Saturday
http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Article/094208-2011-08-03-arizona-breakfast-club-this-saturday.htm

Former Mayor Richard Oldham was interviewd yesterday on Declare Your Independence with Ernest Hancock
http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Media/094249-2011-08-04-bonus-ernest-hancock-interview-by-joyce-riley-on-the-power.htm
And the Declare Your Independence radio show will be broadcasting LIVE from Quartzsite this week! Stay tuned for more details.

Quartzsite Police Chief Jeff Gilbert referred to the Oath Keepers and the Tea Party as a terrorist threat and admitted to reporting their upcomming August 27th - 28th peace rally to the FBI yesterday morning.
http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/News/094198-2011-08-03-quartzite-chief-tells-fbi-that-tea-party-oathkeeper-terrorists-plan.htm
RSVP on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/index.php#!/event.php?eid=263949043618629
http://oathkeepers.org/oath/2011/08/03/oath-keepers-to-muster-quartzsite-arizona-august-27-2011/
Oath Keepers Founder Stewart Rhodes responded by saying " If Chief Gilbert wants to label us "terrorists" simply for keeping our oaths to defend the Constitution, by using our natural right of free speech in support of good police officers who refused unlawful orders, and if he is going to label us "terrorists" for simply exercising our First Amendment protected right to peaceably assemble and petition government for a redress of grievances, - all rights that GOOD MEN fought and died to preserve - well then, all I have to say is "we're your huckleberries" Chief. See you in Quartzsite folks! Our forefathers are watching.

Restraining order issued against Quartzsite over QPOA suspensions

2011-08-03T11:27:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

August 1st, La Paz County Superior Court Judge Barlett, issued a temporary restraining order against the Town of Quartzsite, Alex Taft, Jeff Gilbert, and Al Johnson, which basically prohibits the termination of the Plaintiffs (members of QPOA), and orders that the Defendants appear for a "show cause" hearing at 1:30 on August 15th in the La Paz County Superior Court in Parker AZ.
http://qtown.us/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/TRO1.pdf
This hearing is open to media and the public.
http://qtown.us/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Order-to-Show-Cause1.pdf

The Plaintiffs are being represented by the Phoenix, AZ law firm of Schneider and Onofry. Anyone wishing to contribute to the legal expenses of these officers can make a contribution through an account set up by the Greater Phoenix Tea Party with Wells Fargo Bank for "Quartzsite Citizens Donation Fund"
http://thedesertfreedompress.blogspot.com/2011/07/fund-set-up-for-quartzsite.html
Also, a car wash fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, August 6th, beginning at 7am to be held at the Shell Gas Station on the corner of Hwy 95 and Main St. in Quartzste.
http://qtown.us/blog/2011/08/02/quartzsite-10-fundraiser-carwash/

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AG Tom Horne press release on Quartzsite

2011-07-29T13:04:00.000-07:00

http://www.azag.gov/press_releases/july/2011/110729%20Open%20Meeting%20Law.html
ATTORNEY GENERAL TOM HORNE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, July 29, 2011

Contact: Amy Rezzonico (602) 542-8019

Attorney General Horne Finds Reasonable Cause to Believe Open Meeting Law Has Been Violated in Quartzsite

PHOENIX (Friday, July 29, 2011) – Tom Horne, Arizona Attorney General, today released partial information regarding the Attorney General’s Office investigation of events in Quartzsite. Horne stated:

“Normally, we do not release the results of an investigation until it has been completed. However, because this is a matter of unusual public interest, we are prepared to say that, based on review of a video of a July 10 meeting, there is reasonable cause to believe that there has been a violation of the Open Meeting Law, inasmuch as the public was excluded. The meeting was held under the misconception that an emergency meeting can be conducted without the public present. Independently of the question of whether the Town Council had a legitimate reason to hold an emergency meeting, even proper emergency meetings must allow the public to be present. The exception is if there is a legitimate basis for an executive session, and the City Council did not attempt to hold a proper executive session during the emergency meeting. The investigation of this and other alleged violations of Open Meeting Laws is ongoing.”

http://www.kpho.com/story/15177446/quartzsite-officials-may-have-broken-open-meeting-law
QUARTZSITE, AZ (KPHO) -

It's the small Arizona town getting national attention for all the wrong reasons.

Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne said his office is now investigating allegations of corruption, harassment and secret meetings in the town of Quartzsite, located west of the Valley.

Earlier this month, activist and local newspaper publisher Jennifer Jones was arrested at a public meeting while trying to address the Quartzsite Town Council.

Horne told CBS-5 News Friday that the meeting on July 10, may have been illegal and violated the state's open meeting law.

"If what's involved is an innocent misunderstanding,then probably training is the remedy," said Horne. If there were meetings done deliberately to withhold information from the public, then there's the possibility of people being removed from office."

The AG's office has been flooded with calls and e-mails recently from Quartzsite residents complaining that their town is out of control.

The mayor, town manager, police chief and town council members have all been accused of misusing their power and conducting meetings without public notice.

Horne's office is now investigating all allegations, including some "so called" emergency meetings that may have been held behind closed doors.

Government agencies are required by law to make the public aware of all meetings and provide an opportunity for public comment.

According to Horne, emergency meetings are not exempt from notifying the public.

"Open meeting laws are based on the premise that sunlight is the best disinfectant, and if people can see what's going on and participate, we'll get better discussions," said Horne. "If people meet in secret and the public is not there, it violates the law and its our job to enforce it."

http://island-adv.com/2011/07/arizona-attorney-general-tom-horne-issues-statement-on-quartzsite-freedom-of-speech-violations/

http://messageboards.aol.com/aol/en_us/articles.php?boardId=551411&articleId=847907&func=6&channel=Member+Guided+News&filterRead=false&filterHidden=true&filterUnhidden=false

it even made http://statebrief.com/ !

Shocking QPOA Officer Statements reveal cover up by Quartzsite Town Manager

2011-07-27T18:39:00.000-07:00

It appears there has been a "Q-wiki" leak. Actual unredacted statements from eight of the "Quartzsite 10" police officers recently placed on administrative leave for "defaming" the town, have been posted by persons unknown. Read them here:
http://statementsfromthequartzsite10.wordpress.com/

It is uncertain why statements by Officer Herlen Yeomans and former Administrator Linda Conley were not made public. However, it is reasonable to assume that it has something to do with the ongoing criminal investigation by DPS. Conley was just hired by La Paz County Prosecutor Sam Vederman's office.

These sworn statements are in stark contrast to the front page story on the Parker Pioneer
http://www.parkerpioneer.net/articles/2011/07/27/news/doc4e3040a207d30936990868.txt
and the official town "report"
http://www.epageflip.net/title/6362

An excellent new article is on The Intel Hub
http://theintelhub.com/2011/07/27/quartzsite-arizona-blueprint-for-a-police-state-takeover/

Another good one here:
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=25798
Follow CBS in Yuma's coverage here:

KSWT-TV 13 (put "Quartzsite" in Search...they have 14 stories right now.)

www.kswt.com

Ruth's KSWT Bio (contains Facebook and Twitter links)

http://www.kswt.com/story/12534082/ruth-castillo

Ruth's Facebook Page

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reporter-Ruth-Castillo/143278652407912

KSWT-TV Facebook Page

http://www.facebook.com/pages/KSWT-News-13/118233418194751

Councilman Joe Winslow v Michael Roth- Exactly who was threatening who?

2011-07-26T20:34:00.000-07:00

http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/News/093879-2011-07-26-councilman-joe-winslow-v-michael-roth-exactly-who-was-threatening.htm

Go to the power and politics blog to see the actual injunction against harassment documents.
http://powerandpolitic.wordpress.com/2011/07/26/councilman-joe-winslow-v-michael-roth-exactly-who-was-threatening-who/

And check out World Net Daily!
http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=326601

Governor Brewer fiddles while Quartzsite burns

2011-07-26T12:54:00.000-07:00

Two months after Quartzsite police requested a criminal investigation into Police Chief Jeff Gilbert, Quartzsite residents are still living in the twilight zone, and not a word from AZ Governor Jan Brewer or Attorney General Tom Horne.

Although town code requires regular meetings of the Common Council to be held at 7pm, today's irregular "regular" meeting was held at 9am, and with the addition of a metal detector at the front door to town hall. The members of council enter through the back door, and no metal detector has been installed there. Sgt. Fabiola Garcia was videotaped text messaging on her phone, while several citizens walked around the metal detector, however. While the council may be arming themselves with guns, the citizens continue to arm themselves with cameras. This appears to be a more effective approach.

Despite Mayor Foster's refusal to call the potentially illegal meeting to order, the council proceeded anyway. They approved a zoning change for the property adjacent to Vice Mayor Cowell's property, so that a gun shop and shooting range may be built 372 feet from the Scholar's Academy. They passed the transaction priveledge tax of 2.5% (3.5% for licensed contractors) This expands the scope of business to which the Transaction Priveledge Tax applies, from the 16 categories currently paying for the priveledge" of doing business in Arizona. Council also moved the appointment of a councilperson to fill Jose Lizarraga's vacant seat to a work session (TBA).

Nobody in authority has expressed an official interest, nor offered any advice beyond a mandamus or federal injunction to stop the bizare and shocking actions by Quartzsite officials after declaring that an emergency exists, and basically abdicating any responsibility to the town manager Alexandra Taft, and her employees the police chief, town attorney, and building official. Mayor Foster had previously tried a mandamus, but La Paz County Superior Court Judge Michael Burke dismissed the demand, ruling that a citizen had no standing to request his or her elected officials obey they law. Jones filed an injunction in pro per last December, but did not respond to the motion to dismiss filed by the town's insurance lawyers, in order to refile with legal council. She is asking any attorney familiar with federal law to assist in refiling immediately.

Meet Quartzsite Officer Rick Patterson - with illegal gambling photo?

2011-07-25T17:24:00.000-07:00

From:
http://mancationnation.com/accomodations.html
The man with the mustache in the dark gray shirt on the left is Quartzsite Officer Rick Patterson. Patterson, who was fired from the La Paz County Sheriff became infamous as the officer who "frog marched" advocate Jennifer Jones out of a town council meeting that was video taped and went "viral" on Youtube. That appears to be real money on the table at a private facitlity.

Officer Patterson has his own page on the MancationNation website:
http://mancationnation.com/Bio_Rick.html
Where you will find this photo:

Rick Paterson - MCN Firearms Instructor/Range Master

Rick Paterson was born in Sinton, Texas in 1952. He grew up nearby in Taft, Texas and as a young boy was almost immediately exposed to the shooting and hunting sports by a large, immediate and extended family whose roots came from ancestors of Scottish and Spaniard lineage. Some of Rick’s ancestors were decorated Civil War, World War I and World War II veterans.

After moving to southern California with his family in 1963, Rick attended grade and High school in Carlsbad before entering military service with the Army National Guard. Following his military service, Rick worked briefly in retail sales and for the telephone company before becoming a Reserve Police Officer for the City of Oceanside, California for about two years. Rick then became a regular Police Officer for the City of Escondido between 1978 and 1980, serving with the Oceanside Harbor Police, thereafter. Rick attended college at MiraCosta College in Oceanside, California, achieving a Certificate of Competency with highest honors in the Administration of Criminal Justice.

Rick had also begun his martial arts training in Oceanside in 1972 and became internationally certified as a “Black-Belt” Instructor in the classical Korean martial Art of “ Soo Bahk Do-Moo Duk Kwan”. Rick relocated to Parker, Arizona following the death of his father and was hired as a full-time Deputy Sheriff for the La Paz County Sheriff’s Office. Rick has served since the birth of La Paz County in 1983 and has risen to the current rank of Major, as its Chief Deputy/Undersheriff.

Throughout Rick’s law enforcement career, he has distinguished himself as a leader of men, an expert marksman, defensive tactics Arizona P.O.S.T.-Certified Instructor and tactician, receiving extensive formal training in firearms instruction and special weapons and tactics, as well as leading tactical operations as a Tactical Team Leader of over 100 missions and supervising the county’s Drug Task Force. Rick regularly trains members of his own Sheriff’s Office, as well as Officers of surrounding law enforcement agencies in these areas of high liability proficiency, specializing in instruction of revolver, semi-automatic pistol, semi-automatic rifle, precision rifle and sub-machine gun.

Rick has also developed his own, off-duty consulting firm: “Paterson Tactical Consulting” and since 1991 he has regularly provided training to the private sector in the Arizona Concealed Weapon Permit Training Program, as well as basic-to-advanced firearms proficiency skills. He has also regularly consulted to the area Tribal Casino and trained its management security and surveillance personnel in areas of proficiency relating to defensive tactics, leadership and supervision, drug and drug paraphernalia recognition, to highlight a few. Rick has regularly appeared on local television stations as a speaker and has also taught classes for Arizona Western College for over twelve years.

Rick enjoys competing in N.R.A. High Power Service Rifle shooting matches which involve the use of military-style service rifles such as: the “M-1 Garand”, “M-14” and “AR-15” rifles in courses of fire at 200, 300, 600 and 1000-yard distances. Rick has earned the current rating of “Distinguished Expert” in this particular form of shooting competition, however he has also engaged in shooting competitions over much of his adult life such as: “P.P.C.”, “I.P.S.C.”, “Action Pistol” and “Cowboy-Action Shooting”.

Rick invites you to enjoy an exciting, yet safe and goal-directed, rewarding shooting experience, while at ManCation Nation!
There are many more photos in the Mancation Nation gallery:
http://mancationnation.com/photo_gallery.html

OMLET arm of the AG's Office investigation update

2011-07-25T13:32:00.000-07:00

I, Jennifer Jones, had an important phone conversation earlier today. I was informed by Mr. Christopher Munns, of the Attorney General's Office, Open Meetings Law Enforcement Team (OMLET) that his office was expediting our complaints. Please thank him for that.

However, after I discussed the evidence I wanted to email him, he informed me that they did not have authority to rule on the investigation. Basically, the OMLET department is a "toothless tiger" as Mayor Foster likes to say. In other words, their standard operating procedure is to contact the town and attempt to bring the council into compliance with open meetings law. If the town fails to comply, then a court action may proceed. Eventually, the courts will intercede. In the mean time, AG Tom Horne could look into issuing a legal opinion on action taken by the council, but has not indicated any interest in doing so.

So you see, as of this date, both Governor Brewer and Attorney General Horne have avoided any responsibility for Quartzsite's open ended "state of emergency" and subsequent lawlessness of it's officials.

I suggest that we may contact:
United States Attorney
District of Arizona
Two Renaissance Square
40 N. Central Ave, suite 1200
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-514-7500
FAX 602-514-7693

You can request a "Citizen Complaint Form"

9 am tomorrow - Council to raise tax and appoint new member

2011-07-25T10:25:00.000-07:00

WALK THROUGH METAL DETECTOR BEING INSTALLED RIGHT NOW! BE AWARE...

Meet "Machine Gun Joe Winslow" - under oath + TERRORIST ALERT?

2011-07-23T23:14:00.000-07:00

http://powerandpolitic.wordpress.com/2011/07/23/law-enforcement-receives-quartzsite-alert-az-independent/

Quartzsite Councilman Joe Winslow earned the nickname "Machine Gun" after he was caught on the town hall microphone before the March 23rd, 2010 town council meeting was called to order saying "I think if we could get all five of them in the front row, we'd just machine gun 'em" Councilman Lukkasson replied "Damn fine idea!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=endiUqx1G6c&NR=1

"And they're contacting people all over the country with similar political beliefs, and that's why we had to DECLARE A STATE OF EMERGENCY"

"Based on my history, 24 years in the service, I'm more concerned about my reaction to his aggression"

"I've been diagnosed with PTSD and I'm a member of the DAV (Disabled American Veterans). And it is, that's what I'm concerned with, that he's going to get so far into my personal space that I'm going to react, and without thinking. It's just, I'm not making threats or anything like that...I'm not proud of that but It's just the way I am."

"I'm in a position where I felt it necessary for me to go out and purchase a gun, and I did. I went out and I bought a 12 gauge shotgun."

"If nothing else I would like to see him (Roth) disarmed."

Now read The 'sane' person in the room can be a matter of perspective
by Doug MacEachern, columnist - Jul. 24, 2011 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic

FUND SET UP FOR QUARTZSITE

2011-07-23T14:44:00.000-07:00

The Greater Phoenix Tea Party has posted the following notice:

Attention: You can help the Quartzsite officers, secretary, and Jennifer Jones by making a donation to the "Quartzsite Citizens Donation Fund" at any Wells Fargo Bank. Please spread the word, as these folks are going to need financial support.

http://phoenixteaparty.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

Quartzsite puts most of its police officers on house arrest

2011-07-23T08:49:00.000-07:00

http://www.kswt.com/story/15133005/quartzsite-puts-most-of-its-

Posted: Jul 22, 2011 3:33 PM MST

Story by Ruth Castillo, Reporter - bio | email

Quartzsite, Arizona July 21, 2011 - Many folks living in Quartzsite say the town is in a state of emergency. Sgt. William Ponce of the Quartzsite Police Officers Association says most of its officers are on administrative leave for telling the truth. Ponce is one of nine officers listed that are or will be placed on administrative leave.

"We are tasked with maintaining peace and order in our community, says Ponce, who is currently on vacation and has yet to receive the administrative leave notice. "And we took an oath as law enforcement officers to uphold the Constitution and follow the laws of the State of Arizona and that's all we want to do. And from what you can see right now, the Chief [Gilbert] himself is not creating peace in the community. He is creating chaos and disruption and only making things worse. And we just want to be able to go to work, do our jobs and not be under duress anymore."

The town's complaint says officers have defamed the town of Quartzsite, Police Chief Jeff Gilbert, its town manager and the town council. Mayor Ed Foster says Police Chief Gilbert worked under directives from some members of the town council, which he termed as "selective enforcement".

"There was a council candidate that had warrants out on her and the Chief [Gilbert] told the officers to ignore it," says Mayor Foster. "And later, she got picked up for D.U.I. and the officers got in trouble for that. And she screamed and shouted that the Chief had her protected and that they couldn't do anything. The [video from the] bodycam of the arresting officer that he turned in, it disappeared from the file."

As of 1 p.m. Thursday, Mayor Foster says the Arizona Department of Safety (DPS), the agency that is investigating the officers' allegations against Chief Gilbert, has yet to see their statements and evidence.

"I don't know why and what their procedures are, but a month later, I would have thought they would have had some investigative processes going on with the [DPS] field officers and have some preliminary look at this evidence that they turned over," says Mayor Foster. "And the Head of the investigation had no idea that this evidence existed."

DPS issued a statement Thursday, which states: "The Major Crimes Bureau of the DPS Criminal Division is involved in an on-going investigation of allegations made against the Quartzsite Police chief." The statement also acknowledges that it will assist the La Paz County Sheriff's Office in responding to calls for law enforcement in Quartzsite.

The four QPD officers that aren't on administrative leave include Police Chief Gilbert. And with only four officers to serve the town of 3,500 residents, Mayor Foster says that's unacceptable.

"You know, we're in trouble out here and I can't get anybody in state government to do anything, you know," says Mayor Foster. "I mean, I get more support from the New York Times and from people all over the world than I'm getting out of Phoenix right now."

View leaked Quartzsite document 1
View leaked Quartzsite document 2
View leaked Quartzsite document 3

In a related statement, Councilman Lukkasson comments on the current situation.

ANARCHY IN QUARTZSITE?

2011-07-20T19:59:00.000-07:00

About 5 pm PST, The Desert Freedom Press learned that under the current "emergency", Police Chief Jeff Gilbert has suspended ALL officers who filed criminal and ethical complaints against him. This leaves only the four officers who chose to stand with the Chief, despite the controversy and ongoing investigation by DPS. La Paz County Sheriff Don Lowery told the Parker Pioneer Newspaper last week, that he had provided back up units to patrol the perimeter of Town Hall during the June 12th council meeting. Quartzsite Police Chief Jeff Gilbert and Sheriff Lowery served together as officers on the Colorado Indian Tribes Reservation.

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=324161

http://www.kpho.com/story/15122209/infighting-escalates-in-quartzsite-police-department

http://www.fox11az.com/news/local/125971188.html

http://www.outpost-of-freedom.com/blog/?p=557

The Whole World is Watching Quartzsite - FOX "Freedom Watch"

2011-07-20T01:41:00.000-07:00

http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/1066252272001/the-whole-world-is-watching-quartzsite

Also, check out Players in the Quartzsite Feud

AZ Republic exposes all

2011-07-17T09:02:00.000-07:00

Dennis Wagner's in depth story makes front page.
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2011/07/17/20110717quartzsite-arizona-political-feud-continues.html

8:42 am | 92°

July 17, 2011 |

Quartzsite's bitter political feud continues

35 commentsby Dennis Wagner - Jul. 17, 2011 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic

QUARTZSITE - The mayor called a Town Council meeting, but five of the six council members didn't show up.
So the mayor denounced them as cowards.
The town manager was inexplicably absent.
Several police officers attended the meeting in May to read a statement asking that the police chief be investigated. They alleged abuse of authority, including the arrests of numerous political enemies.
They never got a chance to speak, however, because the building inspector who recently had been promoted to assistant town manager suddenly made an announcement:
"City Hall is closed, and this meeting is over."
About 120 concerned Quartzsite residents, as colorful and raucous as a "Jerry Springer Show" audience, were brusquely ushered outside under threat of arrest.
Such scenes are becoming commonplace in Quartzsite, "The Rock Capital of the World," where the old saying "you can't fight city hall" is being severely tested.
In the past two weeks, more than 85,000 people have watched a YouTube video showing a local newspaper publisher handcuffed and hauled out of the council chambers as she talked about free speech. Council members, who said they received death threats, convened a secret meeting and declared a state of emergency. The mayor and other critics condemned those moves as illegal and pleaded for state investigators to intercede.
But long before the video went viral and the media trained a spotlight on Quartzsite, town government here was already helter-skelter.

Raucous infighting

There may be debate as to who is right or which side is winning. But it's undisputed that municipal business has become a sideshow to infighting that disrupts nearly every town department and meeting.
Mayor Ed Foster, newspaper publisher Jennifer "Jade" Jones and most of the police officers in Quartzsite say the Town Council and police chief ignore Arizona's public-records law and misuse police power to silence their critics.
"There's a cabal running Quartzsite," Foster said, "and I'm about to take it down."
Council members and the police chief, in turn, say their critics are simply a bunch of agitators trying to stir up trouble.
By last Sunday, six days after the video was posted on YouTube, the political firestorm was so heated that council members announced plans to conduct future meetings without public notice and to prohibit comments from citizens.
Foster said that decision was made in violation of Arizona law. "I refused to be a part of an illegal meeting behind closed doors," he said. "I announced the meeting was canceled, but they went right ahead."
The incident is just the latest in a circus act that for years has paralyzed the town: dysfunction and distrust fueled by a historical feud, recall attempts and allegations of public malfeasance, abuse of power and government secrets.
In the past three years alone, Quartzsite has been through five mayors and a trio of recall elections. (Foster, who has been mayor since 2010, is facing a recall vote next month.) The municipal government is buried in costly lawsuits.
And at least 10 Quartzsite activists, including the mayor and four past council members or candidates, said they were charged with petty crimes after criticizing the Town Council and Police Chief Jeff Gilbert.
Foster, who leads the anti-establishment group, has asked the Arizona Attorney General's Office, the state Department of Public Safety and the Arizona Ombudsman's Office to investigate public malfeasance. A DPS probe is under way. The attorney general closed one inquiry but has been asked to take on another. The ombudsman found that the Town Council violated state public-records laws.
"They make up laws as they go," Foster said of council members. "They think they're a kingdom here, and because we're a small town, they've gotten away with it.
"I've been trying to find out where all the money goes in this place. But the town manager won't even speak with me, . . . and the council passed a law that says I can't get any reports." The resolution passed by the council instructs town staff members not to give the mayor any documents unless the entire council approves the release of information.
Jones, who publishes a newspaper known as the Desert Freedom Press, has been arrested four times on at least a dozen charges. In one instance, she was jailed for disturbing the peace after flipping her middle finger at rivals in Town Hall.
Last month, as Jones attempted to make a statement about freedom of speech during the council's public-comment session, she was handcuffed and hauled out of the chambers.
Video of that incident has been viewed by thousands on YouTube. While the mayor insists that Jones is authorized to speak, council members vote to silence her. Police move in, pry the microphone from her grip and drag her away.
"They put me in some kind of police hold with my arms in the air like chicken wings, and they jerked me up in the air," said Jones, who was taken to a hospital for an elbow sprain. "It's absolutely crazy. Finally, someone outside of Quartzsite is seriously looking at this," she said of recent media attention.
Even most of the police force balks at such arrests. In May, 10 of the town's 14 sworn officers passed a no-confidence vote against the chief, alleging in a written statement that he uses "bully tactics" to intimidate members of the community "if they disagree with his methodology and political affiliation."
The Quartzsite Police Officers Association asked the state Department of Public Safety and Arizona's Peace Officer Standards and Training agency to investigate. In a written statement, association leaders alleged that the chief uses restricted justice-system computers "to find 'dirt' on political candidates." They also said that officers are "ordered to make traffic stops and arrest/cite citizens who the chief believes are against him."
Chief Gilbert would make only a brief statement to The Arizona Republic: "I will certainly be cleared of any of the allegations, any of the criminal allegations."

Political intrigue

Motorists might avoid Quartzsite completely if Interstate 10 didn't cut right through its barren heart on the way to LA.
The town, 130 miles west of Phoenix, is a retirement haven with one of the nation's most geriatric populations, a place where abundant idle time may contribute to political intrigue.
In the summer, heat mirages shimmer over empty RV parks and the population dwindles to about 3,600.
In the winter, more than 200,000 snowbirds flock to town for a few weeks of sunshine, swap meets and gem shows.
There's a local bookstore where the male proprietor wears nothing but a G-string. At the political hot spot, known as "Main Street Laundromat and Eatery," you can get a shower for an extra six bucks.
That business is owned by Councilman Jerry Lukkasson and his wife, Michelle, who directed the most recent recall campaign, targeting Mayor Foster. Councilman Lukkasson acknowledged that endless political wars interfere with town business and cost a fortune.
"I'm so tired of the negativity," he said, "but I know I'm part of it."
In fact, municipal politics got nasty almost as soon as the town incorporated two decades ago: Rex Byrd, who would become the town's second mayor, was accused of a 1993 murder-for-hire plot against his political rival, Richard Oldham, the first mayor. Byrd was found guilty and spent six months in prison before the conviction was overturned because of contradictory witness testimony. Then he resumed his post at Town Hall.
Councilman Jose Lizarraga, a longtime resident, said that incident drew early battle lines in Quartzsite's otherwise non-violent version of the legendary Hatfield-McCoy feud.
"You have such a long history of hate in this town between one side and the other," Lizarraga said. "It was the Byrds and Oldhams, and that division line is still there."
Today's council meetings, often packed with colorful residents aiming video cameras at one another, resemble Jerry Springer shows.
Warring newspapers and Internet blogs mingle factual reports with rumors. Jones' competitor, Shanana "Rain" Golden-Bear, puts out a publication known as the Desert Messenger. The rivals have vilified each other in print, spied on each other, filed criminal complaints with police and obtained orders of protection in court.
Their spat, and the town's other high jinks, might seem comical except that people are going to jail, reputations are getting ruined and public money is being squandered.

Citations, warnings

Foster, a former Marine who became a snowbird after retiring as an engineer at the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co., got his first criminal citation in 2009, before he became mayor.
He says he was accused by police of disorderly conduct after a verbal disagreement with a Town Council candidate. Charges were dropped by the prosecutor.
Chief Gilbert initiated another case against Foster in March 2010 for "false reporting of an emergency" because Foster's newspaper, the Mineshaft, questioned the quality of local water. The prosecutor again refused to press charges.
A month later, police investigated Foster for allegedly campaigning too close to a polling site. He denied the allegation, and charges again were dropped.
Foster ran for mayor as a reform candidate last year and won. Before he took office, incumbent council members so distrusted him that they adopted an ordinance wiping out his powers as the top elected official. They also began holding sessions away from Town Hall, which earned a letter of warning from the La Paz County attorney for violating Arizona's public-meeting law.
In March, a recall campaign was launched against some incumbents. Prior to the election, council members adopted an ordinance banning candidates who owed money to the town. Christina Kohn, a staff attorney for the Goldwater Institute, a Phoenix-based government watchdog organization, said town leaders other than Foster simply ignored letters warning that the ordinance is unconstitutional.
"It didn't seem to matter to them," Kohn said. "That seems to be part of a larger pattern of lawlessness going on in the town."
Foster, the mayor, said Alexandra Taft, the town manager, refused to give him basic information on expenditures and employee salaries. He complained to the state Ombudsman's Office, which investigated and agreed that Quartzsite was in violation of the Arizona public-records laws.

Harassment alleged

Publisher Jones' battle with the town began three years ago and stemmed from a series of disputes with zoning officials and police over her pet-grooming business, A Fur Salon, located at a swap meet.
Jones says town inspectors and police trespassed, assaulted her husband and launched a harassment campaign. Police reports dispute those allegations and accuse Jones of instigating confrontations.
As a series of follow-up incidents escalated into criminal charges, Jones pursued a federal restraining order that says police made false arrests "as a tool for political retribution." One day after municipal officials were served, Jones was arrested as she arrived at a meeting in Town Hall, charged with obstructing governmental operations and making a false report to law enforcement.
"I just kept pushing, and they just kept pushing back," Jones said. "None of the charges against me have come to court."
Numerous other activists tell of being cited or arrested for minor offenses after taking sides in the political feud. For self-protection, they began monitoring police radios, carrying video cameras and dialing 911 to request sheriff's deputies as witnesses whenever they were confronted by town officers.
Former town prosecutor Matt Newman said he refused to press charges in many of the misdemeanor cases and was summarily dismissed by the council without explanation. "I was saying that the criminal law is too important to use for political purposes," Newman said. "There were several cases where I said, 'No, I'm not going to file complaints.' "
Robert Wechsler, director of research for City Ethics, a non-profit group that advises local governments on ethics issues, said there is a "serious disrespect for laws and rights" going on in Quartzsite. "Outside authorities will have to be brought in to investigate what has happened and to get the town government working," he said. "It's important to recognize that this is an institutional problem, not an individual problem. For example, if it were simply an individual problem, the police chief would be long gone."

'Nothing invested'

In interviews, two council members said Foster, Jones and other critics are just naysayers out to wreck Quartzsite.
"All they're trying to do is stir trouble," Lukkasson said. "They have nothing invested in this town. After they've created all of the havoc, they can just pull up their sewer hoses and move out."
Lizarraga, who was appointed to the council, said he despises Foster because the mayor criticized incumbents during an election campaign and previously tried to remove Lizarraga from his position. "I'll tell you straight out: I don't like that man," the councilman said. "I believe his ethics are questionable."
In interviews, Lizarraga and Lukkasson said they do not care if some council meetings are deemed unlawful or if public-records laws are broken. Nor do they believe accusations against the police chief. In February, they extended the police chief's contract and increased his pay.
Dissidents and police-association leaders said they want an independent state investigation.
Foster answered the Town Council's emergency declaration with an editorial in his newspaper that says the council members "are going to be exposed no matter how many crises they attempt to manufacture in an effort to avoid disclosure."
"And there's one significant difference now: The world is watching."

New York Times coverage

2011-07-16T08:02:00.000-07:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/16/us/16quartzsite.html?_r=1

Quartzsite Journal

Kicking Up the Dust in an Arizona Desert Town

Joshua Lott for The New York Times

Mayor Ed Foster of Quartzsite, Ariz., is at odds with most of the other officials in town. He calls the police chief “a corrupt thug.”

By JENNIFER MEDINA

Published: July 15, 2011

QUARTZSITE, Ariz. — Like many folks in this blink-and-miss-it town on the western edge of the state, Ed Foster moved here to escape the hustle and bustle. He is delighted that the main drag is just a couple of miles long, bookended by gas stations. It doesn’t take much more than a working sewer and water hookup to make him happy.

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Joshua Lott for The New York Times

Chief Jeff Gilbert and Town Manager Alex Taft who says Mr. Foster is “just being Jerry Springer, but without the humor.”

A couple of years ago, Mr. Foster, 69, a retired engineer for the Wrigley chewing gum company, began wondering what was happening to his tax money. So he ran for mayor, shaving off his long, scraggly beard when one supporter suggested it might not help his image as a politician.
But the clean-shaven Mayor Foster loves to raise a ruckus. For months, he has accused town officials of hiding money and called the police chief a “corrupt thug.” He has tried to persuade the attorney general’s office to step in, and is pressing for a criminal investigation of the chief.
In the past month, two of Mr. Foster’s allies have been arrested during Town Council meetings and led out in handcuffs. Saying that they fear for public safety, the Council members have declared an emergency, stopped public comment at their official meetings for the next month and brought in a police officer to keep guard at the Town Hall.
Mr. Foster calls this martial law.
“They are just insane. They think they can do whatever they want, take control and not have to do what people want,” the mayor said during an interview at the local Subway, tucked inside a truck stop at the edge of town. “They won’t talk to me, won’t look at me, nothing.”
Mr. Foster and his supporters have taken to the Internet to gather support, posting videos of the Council meeting and several clips showing officers escorting one woman from a meeting last month.
Suddenly this town, once known as a haven for RVs, gemstones and sprawling swap meets, is becoming a symbol for those who say government is filled with power-hungry bureaucrats, bent on spending too much public money.
But Mr. Foster’s detractors — the six other members of the Town Council, the town manager and the police chief — say that it is Mr. Foster, more interested in destroying the town than in focusing on the often mundane tasks of governing it, who has stepped over the line. He has filed several complaints and lawsuits against the town, which has a population of 3,600 in the summer. And he has been censured twice by his Council colleagues and arrested by the chief on disorderly conduct charges. He faces his own recall next month.
“He’s got these ideas that have nothing to do with the truth,” said Alex Taft, the town manager. “He says we are lying, stealing, harassing, anything you can think of. He’s just being Jerry Springer, but without the humor.”
Ms. Taft said that the mayor had enthusiastically “stirred up discontent” every chance he had gotten. But it was not until the meeting in June that she began to get really nervous.
More than two-thirds of the town’s 14 police officers showed up to complain about the chief, and Council members said they could not hear their statements because of a continuing investigation of a complaint filed with the state. One of the mayor’s supporters was arrested and several others in the crowd began shouting. “That was about as close to a riot as we will hopefully ever get,” Ms. Taft said.
Two weeks later, the Council was scheduled to discuss the municipal tax code.
Jennifer Jones, a local activist, supporter of the mayor and owner of a kennel she runs out of a trailer, rose to speak against a fee increase for merchants who rent space here in the winter, when the population can swell to the hundreds of thousands. Soon after she began her allotted four minutes, Ms. Jones turned her back to the Council and began speaking to the crowd. The Council voted to have her removed, and within moments officers were holding her by the wrists, escorting her out the back door.
Ms. Jones, who also publishes a newspaper and blog about the town, said her elbow began to burn after a few minutes. After she complained to another officer, Ms. Jones was released and took an ambulance to the nearest hospital, 35 miles away, where she said doctors told her she had probably sprained her elbow.
“We’re an example of everything that is wrong with small-town government,” Ms. Jones said, wearing a button reading “Clean up Quartzsite” and featuring a large broom and the Web address for the state’s Tea Party chapter. “People come here to live cheaply; they know how to live within their means and they want their government to do so, too.”
A vast majority of homes here are mobile homes, and the residents are not the sort to embrace bureaucracy. With open desert as far as the eye can see, it is about as close as they can get to the Wild West these days.
After the video of Ms. Jones’s arrest spread on the Internet, the Town Hall and Police Department began to receive threatening phone calls and e-mails. Ms. Taft had any pictures of the Council and staff members removed from the town’s Web site, which had been overloaded with traffic. On one site, people spoke of the state’s laws allowing guns to be carried without a permit.
“We know everyone in town; I don’t think they have the guts in them to do anything like that,” said Jerry Lukkason , a councilman who owns an RV park, Laundromat and diner in town. “But this is going all over the place now, and with other people, you never really know.”

A version of this article appeared in print on July 16, 2011, on page A9 of the New York edition with the headline: Kicking Up the Dust in an Arizona Desert Town.

Arizona Republic "Outside agency must help in Quartzsite"

2011-07-14T10:35:00.000-07:00

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/2011/07/14/20110714quartzsite-editorial.html
Jul. 14, 2011 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic

Late Sunday night, the Quartzsite Town Council declared a "state of emergency" in the community as a series of conflicts, several of them long-simmering, came to a head. Some residents, including Mayor Ed Foster, fear the chief of police and others are targeting their political opponents with arrests and harassment.
On the other side, Police Chief Jeff Gilbert and some Town Council members say they fear reprisals following the release of a YouTube video depicting a local activist being arrested at a town meeting.
The video depicts the activist, Jennifer Jones, doing nothing more outlandish than exercising her citizen's right to petition the government. Yet she was arrested for "disorderly conduct." Numerous other Quartzsite residents, including Foster, claim they, too, have been arrested, some several times, on similar charges.
The controversy doesn't end there. The state Department of Public Safety says it is investigating Chief Gilbert, in response to a letter signed by at least 10 of his 14 sworn officers, declaring "no confidence" in the leadership of their boss.
Some of the concerns raised by the Quartzsite officers sound very much like those raised by Foster and Jones. They contend Gilbert is ordering his patrol officers to stop, cite and even arrest people who oppose his policies and political points of view, and that he has prevented allies from being served with court warrants. Those are serious charges.
In an address to the Quartzsite Town Council on June 14, an official for the Arizona Conference of Police and Sheriffs said it is standard procedure for a police official accused of such malfeasance to step down, on paid leave, until investigations run their course. That is the matter DPS is now investigating, yet Gilbert remains on the job. And that is a primary source of much of the tension in Quartzsite.
It's time someone stepped in.
The controlling authority would appear to be the La Paz County Board of Supervisors, which can direct the state police to assert some measure of civil order in Quartzsite. If the supervisors decline to take these simmering conflicts seriously, the governor's office needs to consider acting.
Some legitimate authority needs to enforce the peace in Quartzsite. And they need to act before somebody gets hurt.

video exposes council & police chief knew better!

2011-07-12T09:11:00.000-07:00

4:52 seconds in William Sims, lead legal council for the towns ins. pool tells Police Chief Jeff Gilbert “there will be the lawsuit…” At 10.02 he says that the MAYOR makes that call!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1D3XQ5wBE4&feature=channel_video_title

Please keep in mind, that this Youtube channel belongs to a friend of the police chief. Many false and defamitory video are on this channel and the former mayor, Wes Huntley posts as "Wilcoxfood"...

The DESERT FREEDOM PRESS

County Prosecutor requests FBI investigate Quartzsite Corruption

Power struggle in Quartzsite spills into court, Internet

Legal filings and crude website mockery

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2012/01/23/20120123quartzsite-feud-spills-into-court-internet.html#comments

Town confidentiality memo - no longer confidential!

Scholar's Academy appeals Charter Board decision

Personnel Board member Gene Clark dies of cancer

Prutch to run against Jewitt as write in

Quartzsite election fraud scandal

Carol Kelley to replace late husband as Quartzsite councilperson

Read the DESERT FREEDOM PRESS online archive

Councilman Robert Kelly dies at age 77

Republican Committeeman vindicated

STATE v. ROTH

STATE OF ARIZONA, Appellee, v. MICHAEL ALAN ROTH, Appellant.

No. 1 CA-CR 10-0994.

Court of Appeals of Arizona, Division One, Department B.

Filed: December 22, 2011.

MEMORANDUM DECISION

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY1

DISCUSSION

I. CONSTITUTIONALITY

II. SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE

A. Count Two

B. Count Three

Footnotes

"Quartzite Woman Accuses Town Attorney of Slander and Threats"

Charlie Tyson cabin defaced

Report says Quartzsite council broke Open Meeting Laws,

AZ Attorney General says Quartzsite Town Council violated Open Meeting Law

http://www.kswt.com/story/16319388/az-attorney-general-says-quartzsite-town-council-violated-open-meeting-law

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http://www.usatoday.com/USCP/PNI/NEWS/2011-12-15-PNI1215met-quartzsite-town-council-abrkPNIBrd_ST_U.htm

AG: Quartzsite violated meeting law

By Angela Piazza

Attorney General Tom Horne says his office has found evidence that the Quartzsite Town Council violated the state Open Meeting Law and failed to comply with posting requirements for notices and minutes.

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BREAKING NEWS: Horne Finds Open Meeting Law Violations In Quartzsite

http://www.kpho.com/story/16315940/horne-quartzsite-violated-opening-meetings-law

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http://www.parkerpioneer.net/articles/2011/12/14/news/doc4ee8c9e8a37f7495316453.txt

No Justice for Jennifer Jones - charges vacated on 5th false arrest!

vol 1 issue 19

9 day Public Comment period begins on Solar Reserve proposal

Most Viewed Stories

BLM opens comment period on solar project in La Paz County

Freedom Fighter Radio supports QPOA officers

Fracturing Quartzsite - County redistricting meeting

Gary Howell memorial service

Vol 1 issue 18

BLM press release

October 20th, 2011 volume 1 issue 17

Messages from Quartzsite citizens

3rd arrest for activist Dana Stadler

The DESERT FREEDOM PRESS, vol 1 issue 16 October 6th

Quartzsite police arrest activist without warrant for misdemeanor

No mayor for Quartzsite?

Town granted intervention in Jones v Lizarraga election dispute

Vol 1 issue 15

Quartzsite serves termination notice on police whistleblowers

Quartzsite Officers statements about Quartzsite "emergency" on July 10th, 2011

Quartzsite mayoral recall election challenge filed in Superior Court

Lizarraga usurps Foster as mayor of Quartzsite

Quartzsite videographer arested in town hall

Lizzarraga beats Foster

Hundreds attend Quartzsite Liberty Fest

Ausust issue of the Desert Freedom Press, vol 1 issue 14

Southern Poverty Law Center, Department of Homeland Security, and Quartzsite?

QPOA v Quartzsite - case moved to federal court

Freedom movement artist Jordan Page to play Quartzsite Liberty Festival!

Quartzsite 8-9-11 Council meeting was anything but "regular"

Missing audio minutes of secret "emergency " council meeting now available

Declare Your Independence" radio to broadcast live from Quartzsite!

The "terrorists" are coming? August 27th and 28th, 2011

Quartzsite breaking news

Restraining order issued against Quartzsite over QPOA suspensions

vol 1 issue 13 page 1

vol 1 issue 13 page 2

vol 1 issue 13 page 3

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY¹