Administrative Leave Issues Remain:
QUARTZSITE'S OFFICIALS FACE FEDERAL COURT
The attorney for the Town of Quartzsite was criticized when the defendants in the case, Town Managers Alex Taft and her assistant, Al Johnson, as well as the town's police chief, Jeff Gilbert failed to appear in the case involving the Quartzsite10 and their 'Whistleblower' status with the Town of Quartzsite.

The attorney further attempted to convince the judge during the hearing that the matter at hand was a personnel issue and should be treated as such.

The attorney for the Quartzsite 10, Chuck Onofry, argued that the case involved the Constitutional rights of the Quartzsite 10  and should be heard in federal court.

Attendees at the hearing in La Paz County's Superior Court before Judge Randolph Bartlett Monday afternoon listened as Sgt. Will Ponce outlined the current situation and explained the position of the Quartzsite 10. Why Gilbert has not been placed on administrative leave -- as the officers have been -- remains unclear.  The restraining order prohibiting the firing of those officers will remain in effect according to Bartlett, who has replaced Judge Michael Burke in the case, since Burke recused himself.


Internal Investigation?
QUARTZSITE10 REMOVED FROM DUTY AMIDST FRAY
The 'Quartzsite 10' -- 9 police officers and a police clerk comprising 80% of the police department personnel -- [all of whom have been involved as 'whistleblowers' alleging impropriety in the police department] have been removed from duty pending an 'internal investigation' that is being handled by some of those the officers have accused. Read Notice READ MORE
Abuse of Process?
EMBATTLED COUNCILMAN
ASKS QUARTZSITE COURT TO REEL IN ROTH
Roth, though, has been vacationing out of state and  denies having had any contact with Winslow and does not know why he has been targeted by the 'angry councilman.'

"I called him a turd once," Roth stated in an interview Wednesday, "Other than that I have no idea why he would be in court, asking for a restraining order. I haven't contacted him."

Winslow may have a difficult time getting the court to intervene on his behalf since, as Bill Sims of the League of Cities and Towns pointed out in a training session with Quartzsite councilmen, they can expect to be subjected to   criticism as public officials. 

Winslow's comments -- shared with the world via the Internet -- have sparked  international media attention as well as incurring the angst of outspoken political activists who have indicated their shock and contempt over Winslow's treatment of Jennifer Jones in the Quartzsite video footage shot by Doug Gilford June 28.

Winslow has also been seen as the primary spokesman in efforts to harass and intimidate Foster since his election as Mayor of the small desert town, using ad hoc committees and censures -- primarily over the Mayor's MINESHAFT publication.

Reports have indicated the case is already in the hands of the Supreme Court.
DOCUMENTATION
REQUESTS CREATE
FLURRY OF PAPER
As the public's attention has focused on the issues facing Quartzsite, so, too, has pressure mounted on officials to step up and accept responsibility.

Foster's Facebook fans [Supporters of Mayor Ed Foster of Quartzsite Arizona] are sharing information online for those watching the situation unfold -- as are people throughout the world via the thousands of stories and articles the situation has generated online, as well as in print and television media.

"I am absolutely amazed," Foster stated Sunday "at the level of dedication and concern demonstrated by the people -- literally of the entire world -- for the free speech and openness in government that people  recognize this battle represents."

"Quartzsite is at the 'center of the storm' in a country the world believes exemplifies human rights. Whatever other questions exist for citizens, nothing can be made right without these most basic rights." 

"Dragging a citizen from a microphone where they have been invited to speak should not happen anywhere in the world -- and most certainly not in a country founded on the principals set forth in the Constitution -- principals for which generations of men and women have fought and died," he said. "This country has stood as a beacon of hope for those who suffer oppression --  and I think this is the reason this battle has struck such a chord with the people of the world."

As the Arizona Republic story has clearly illustrated, Quartzsite's officials have been less-than-forthcoming with clear explanations of why the town has continued to operate behind a veil of secrecy and unaccountability -- in spite of public outcry.   The Attorney General's Letter outlines the intent to press forward and other professionals [the Ombudsman's office -- AZCOPS.ORG Goldwater Institute  City Ethics.Org  OATHKEEPERS.ORG] have shared their concerns with the level of disregard for the law as well as the violations themselves. The League of Arizona Cities and Towns director, Bill Sims, warned Quartzsite months ago of the potential for problems and asked -- again -- that town manager Alexandra Taft allow the organization to properly train her for the position she currently holds.

Neither Taft nor her recently appointed counterpart Assistant Town Manager Al Johnson [another unadvertised position appointed by the council] have been properly trained. Sims also warned of the ramifications of arresting people at town council meetings at that time.

OATHKEEPERS.ORG:
FOSTER/JONES
TO BE REPRESENTED

Concerned over the abuses perpetrated in Quartzsite, Yale educated attorney Stewart Rhodes is moving forward to defend those damaged... READ MORE
FROM YAHOO AND FACEBOOK TO THE WASHINGTON POST --
  
Quartzsite on MYFOXPHOENIX.COM

QUARTZSITE'S OFFICIALS UNDER FIRE NATIONWIDE FOR ABUSES OF CITIZENS' RIGHTS

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of people are following what's been happening in Quartzsite this week as civil rights abuses have been illustrated in Jones' arrests. The web has been ablaze over the treatment of Ms. Jones, Quartzsite's DESERT FREEDOM PRESS blogger and publisher. The blog currently contains the video: Click HERE. As Jones' case plays out throughout the nation, literally tens of thousands of people have registered their disgust and dismay over the abusive treatment of Jennifer Jones, who has been interviewed by the most popular media people in the country.

The resulting stories have created an Internet sensation including a video that 'went viral' over the activities of Joe Winslow, the councilman that 'called for restricting Jones free speech rights, Town Manager Alex Taft who set her arrest in motion with three nods to the Chief of Police, and the Chief of Police Jeff Gilbert along with the two officers who carried out the forced and 'overtly rough removal' of Jones' from the microphone during call to the public, Officer Fabio Garcia and Officer Rick Patterson.  Town Manager Alexandra Taft hurried to blame Town Attorney Pamela Walsma for advising her that they could have Jones removed from the gallery -- and a special meeting was immediately held to replace Walsma with a new attorney -- Martin Brannan.
 
The country has seemed to  embrace Ms. Jones as the 'new face of the defender of liberty' for standing up against what is being described as 'tyranny and injustice' since she has been jailed and repeatedly arrested in an effort to silence her criticism of the town's officials. As their efforts against her have   escalated, she -- and even the Mayor -- have been arrested, causing 80% of the Quartzsite Police force to publicly call for the firing of the police chief, Jeff Gilbert, with a vote of no confidence on the part of those officers against Gilbert.  Investigations are said to be underway. 

Stories describing the incident are overwhelmingly supportive of both Quartzsite's Mayor, Ed Foster, and Ms. Jones, THERIGHTSCOOP.COM INTERVIEW     FREEDOMS PHOENIX.COM  FOXNEWSPHOENIX    ABOVETOPSECRET.COM WORLDNETDAILY.COM  

The world at large  is discussing detailed reports of the filmed incident appearing on YOUTUBE.COM that showed clearly what happened when Jennifer Harris Jones stood to speak and incurred the wrath of Councilman Joe Winslow at the council meeting.

Posts are replete with negative comments criticizing the council for their actions as well as those of the police involved. [Incidentally, that meeting is soon to be declared illegal along with all the others that have happened since some of the town's officials began efforts to  intentionally limit seating space for citizens in what has been described as an effort to avoid public scrutiny at the town hall meetings.]

According to published reports, the Town Manager and town attorney reportedly conversed before Town Manager Alexandra Taft motioned for Jones to be removed and Taft has indicated that the Town Attorney Pamela Walsma advised her this was legal. Walsma is now leaving Quartzsite for reasons yet unreported, slated to be replaced by Attorney Martin Brannan at a special meeting scheduled for Thursday morning at 10 a.m. AGENDA HERE.

"This may not deflect the attacks currently aimed at Taft by Quartzsite citizens who insist that she -- under the direction of Dan Field -- has orchestrated this entire series of disasters in Quartzsite: hidden payees on the town's payroll, [$1 MILLION paid to these 8-10 straw men over the last five years alone!] the strong arming of citizens and town hall employees -- even attempts to use the town's police force to control citizens who were trying to stand up for their rights and demand some level of accountability," stated Quartzsite Mayor Ed Foster.

"Instead they've been shouted down, slammed, attacked, accused and maligned, hauled into court for civil infractions that the town is pursuing as criminal -- even arrested which should happen to no one under these circumstances -- when they're being targeted for not obeying the orders of the tyrants in charge and basically told they have no voice. In the meantime, property values are falling, morale at town hall and in the police force are at an all time low, and people are just basically fed up with being treated like they have no rights," he concluded.

Online, Foster is being lauded as a hero among people watching the events in Quartzsite unfold while the councilmen are being lambasted for their inability to properly govern their town -- and for abusing their constituents.

Councilman Jerry Lukkasson was the first to indicate he wanted his e-mail account turned off so that the public could not continue to contact him with their comments.  
ORCHESTRATED DISASTER:
JONES ARRESTED AGAIN

OVER THE OBJECTIONS OF THE MAYOR, Jennifer Jones was arrested yet again -- this time while making statements during the Call to the Public as she calmly made relevant comments pertaining to the new rules apparently designed to stifle reporting and videography as well as the new  taxation issue presented during the meeting. She left the town property in an ambulance.

Councilman Joe Winslow repeatedly interrupted Jones demanding that she be evicted, over the objections of the Mayor and others.  Two officers physically removed Jones from the podium and arrested her. Jones was treated and released from Parker Medical Center for injuries to her arm, reportedly sprained in the fray.  READ MORE
 
LIZARRAGA RESIGNS

Jose Lizarraga has resigned his position as councilman in the hope of becoming Quartzsite's next Mayor. Lizarraga has come under fire for leading the councilmen to abandon their seats -- something they've all been criticized for doing every time a controversial issue is to be addressed. Mayor Ed Foster is the only elected official who has not vacated his seat during difficult sessions.

Lizarraga, criticized for his 'leadership' of the town council's walk-out on Quartzsite's Policemen's Association and the AZCOPS VP they invited to speak is shown here, motioning for the entire council to vacate their seats: which they promptly did. The videographer, James Snyder, is making the video of the sequence available to anyone that wants to review it.


JOSE LIZARRAGA FILES CANDIDACY PAPERS TO RUN FOR MAYOR'S SEAT

TOWN SLATED TO LOSE $250K CDBG GRANT FOR FAILURE TO REPORT
There will likely be no new recreational center in Quartzsite's future following the notice of intent to withdraw by the CDBG Grant Office after Quartzsite's officials failed to follow proper procedure and make timely reports critical to being allowed to receive the quarter million in grant funds.                    READ MORE
TOWN COUNCIL TO CENSURE FOSTER FOR CALLING SPECIAL   MEETING? Quartzsite Mayor Ed Foster learned Monday he will face the possibility of what supporters claim is  another censure under the reign of his political adversaries who currently make up the town's council.

Foster called the meeting to discuss concerns brought by the town's police force after letters from the policemen's association to the council were effectively ignored. As the situation has worsened.

WHY HAVE FOSTER'S QUESTIONS BEEN STONEWALLED?

According to Quartzsite Mayor Ed Foster, a story in the Parker Pioneer [Click HERE to read]  has done little to clarify the issues surrounding Foster's questions -- to Town Manager Alexandra Taft -- concerning missing monies from Quartzsite's coffers.  "In fact," Foster notes, "those missing funds amount to an average of $200,000.00 per year over many years -- and the issue of paying money to unidentified individuals whom Taft is refusing to identify does not represent a violation of privacy but, more likely, a gross violation of the people's trust."

"It has nothing to do with privacy," stated Foster. "I have requested and gotten payroll information before and any 'withholding' information is simply redacted. "This is actually a simple question," he says, "Who has been receiving these additional checks -- eight to ten of them each and every payday -- for years?"

While Foster refuses to budge and Taft has refused to produce the records, more than a few agencies are now watching the situation unfold.

Foster has indicated that this question may lie at the heart of many of the issues facing Quartzsite today.

Onlookers were astounded when Foster was arrested at the Town Council meeting in May. However, even more perplexing was the 'laundry list' of charges that accompanied the report of his arrest in a story carried by the Parker Pioneer.

Witnesses, too, could not seem to agree with the allegations made against Foster -- and in light of these events and others nearly all of the officers employed by the  Quartzsite Police Department have now gone public with a series of allegations of their own -- against Quartzsite's Chief of Police, Jeff Gilbert.

"Ms. Taft," Foster said, "has taken steps to see that whatever 'investigation' transpires is privately handled -- apparently in an effort to control the outcome. But hiring a private firm to investigate a criminal accusation is incorrect -- that can only be handled by law enforcement. Whatever comes of that, investigation, it cannot stand. A law enforcement entity must investigate and draw their own  professional conclusions.
This is just another huge waste of taxpayer monies."

The town is clearly divided -- but many are waiting to see just how far Taft plans to go to withhold the identities of those receiving the 'extra' checks.

"As Foster battles for the right to review the records to see where these additional payroll checks have been going, all the town's officials are faced with a choice: allow him to discover who has been receiving these checks or engage in what is being described as an effort to collectively 'cover' the contents of those records," stated Citizen's Coalition member and candidate for town council  Pat Workman.

"I have just one question," she said. "What are they hiding?"

"I have a question, too," council candidate Dave Djerdahl chimed in, "Who are they protecting?"

MAYOR HOLDS TOWN HALL MEETING TO DISCUSS QPD ISSUES

Without interference from the council that so often stonewalls everything the Mayor strives to accomplish in public meetings, a well organized and very well received meeting was successful in allowing the airing of both concerns and grievances pertinent to problems and issues facing Quartzsite and its police force -- while it lasted. There were well over 100 people present in the audience -- with only one councilman, Lizarraga, in attendance.

With over 80% of the  police department at complete odds with the police chief and demanding his ouster amidst serious allegations of corruption,  the meeting was originally called to discuss the challenges facing the town and allow those who wished to speak to be heard. The ten officers that filed the complaints concerning the Police Chief were all in attendance -- in civilian clothes -- available to answer the questions from those in the audience.

Less than 20 minutes into the meeting, newly 'appointed' Assistant Town Manager Al Johnson -- now wearing a badge on his belt according to attendees -- declared Town Hall to be closed and announced the town's employees were going home. He actually called the meeting to a halt and ordered the crowd to disburse. VIDEO HERE

[Reporter/Publisher Jennifer Harris Jones immediately questioned Johnson about his having removed  records from the care and control of Town Clerk Karen Norris -- resulting in a visibly flustered Johnson refusing to answer her. Johnson was also involved in removing large numbers of  documents from the Town Hall offices to California [reportedly to be recycled] while Norris was on vacation  -- after witnesses reported seeing Johnson leaving the premises with a trunkload of documents in his vehicle. [There is a recycling container less than 2 blocks from the Town's offices.] He has often been under fire for being involved in selectively pursuing citizens using his position as Building Inspector -- and now as Assistant Town Manager. At least one currently pending court case involves records now reported to be missing from Johnson's office.]

The meeting continued on the sidewalk outside the Town Hall building where the audience was still interested in obtaining answers to their questions and  media  in town to follow the story were able to speak with citizens concerning the issues.

Foster considered the meeting a success in spite of the removal of the group from the Town Hall building upon the orders of Al Johnson.

"These issues are so easily reconciled," Foster stated. "All we need is for the town's officials to step up to the plate, stop hiding the facts and figures from the public, stop holding secret meetings and  stop harassing those citizens that are asking questions. Just open the books! Whatever they're trying to hide -- it just looks worse for them the more they try to cover whatever activities they've become involved in."

"These efforts to rule this tiny town of retirees with an iron fist are patently absurd and must be stopped -- and we can all be thankful that we have a police force of enough dedicated and intelligent officers that they, too, saw this for what it was and and stood up for right. Their courage is highly commendable and we owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude," he stated.

With growing numbers of organizations interested in the plight of Quartzsite's citizens amidst allegations of corruption that rival Bell, California in scope, it would appear that change is imminent.


                                                   READ MORE
INTEREST IGNITED IN WHAT'S HAPPENING IN QUARTZSITE FOLLOWING MAYOR'S ARREST As Quartzsite's political battleground has erupted into lawsuits against the town and the arrests of almost everyone standing in [vocal] opposition to the way the town is being run, Quartzsite citizens have seemingly watched and waited. Many, it is now known, have been writing letters hoping for an investigation.

The turning point, though, was the arrest of the Mayor, Ed Foster, who was locked in a battle of his own: the Town Manager, Alex Taft, in spite of telling the Ombudsman's office that the reports would be forthcoming, is  flatly refusing to provide documents involving eight regular pay outs to unidentified persons who are not on the town's payroll. "Who are these individuals and for what are they being paid?" Foster inquired. The State of Arizona Ombudsman's office has supported Foster's right to know and have directed Taft to properly handle the FOIA requests according to the law.  They further indicated that they were going to be investigating the matter.  READ MORE
QUARTZSITE MAYOR JOINS LONG LIST OF ACCUSED In a detailed story in the Parker Pioneer, Quartzsite Mayor Ed Foster was featured on the front page, following his arrest at the Quartzsite Town Council meeting. Both Foster and Jones insists many aspects of the story were wrong. "I was called to the scene by Ms.Jones, and went there  to watch and observe, concerned that the existing case against the town could adversely effect our taxpayers," Foster stated.

                   PIONEER STORY   READ MORE
REPORTER/PUBLISHER
HARRIS-JONES ARRESTED [AGAIN] THURSDAY -- Jennifer 'Jade' Harris-Jones has stated that she was inquiring about the investigation of the search of a car taken from the interstate when detained and arrested for trespassing.

This is the third time Harris Jones has been arrested since November 2010, when she launched a series of  complaints and stories critical of the town's officials.
AL JOHNSON APPOINTED ASST. TOWN MANAGER --

FIRST OFFICIAL TASK: REFUSED MAYOR'S FOIA CONCERNING TOWN EMPLOYEE SALARIES Despite a  clear directive from the state Ombudsman's Office, both Town Manager Alexandra Taft and the newly appointed Johnson refused to comply and provide Foster the documents the Ombudsman agrees he is entitled to view.  Why was Johnson chosen as the town's building inspector without properly advertising the position? What are his qualifications? Why hasn't his resume been presented as requested by the Mayor? Is he, as has been widely reported, a relative to Town Manager Alexandra Taft?       READ MORE
DO WE KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT JAPAN'S RADIATION CONTAMINATION?  Here's a clue: Maybe not. Recent readings show increased levels hitting the west coast of the U.S. at an alarming rate. Is it safe? READ MORE
QUARTZSITE DRAWS FIRE FOR CREATING ILLEGAL LAWS     READ MORE    Independent Story
The Goldwater Institute warned Quartzsite -- repeatedly, in fact -- of their position concerning the illegal law passed by Quartzsite's sitting councilmen in 2009. At that time, Walter Akin was acting Mayor and he as well as Huntley, Guthrie, Lizarraga and Kelly all voted for the measure, with only Bill Moore voting against it.

All [but Foster and Moore] are now accountable for their actions except Moore -- with the new councilmen quickly moving, in spite of repeated warnings, to follow suit.    READ MORE
WHO IS JOHN GALT? THE QUESTION IS COMING TO THEATRE'S NATIONWIDE
Ayn Rand would appear to be the writer whose time has suddenly come: but who is Rand and why all the fuss? Galt's speech provides a clue to why -- all  these many years later -- his name is becoming a household word.   READ MORE
BLM ANNOUNCES PLAN FOR QUARTZSITE SOLAR PROJECT    READ MORE    PRESS RELEASE
The long rumored plans for a Quartzsite Solar Project involving 1,400 acres of BLM land and extensive building of the project could soon be underway.
JAPAN'S DISASTER DEEPENS: COMING SOON TO THE STATES?    DRUDGE READ MORE - VIDEO The most dangerous type of reactors are those currently in meltdown mode in Japan. While the fallout is clearly headed for the west coast, questions remain as to the amount of radiation involved. In the past, true levels have been withheld from the American public -- but now, with the Internet, other countries are openly reporting the severity of the threat....       LATEST RECORDED LEVELS



ALZHEIMER'S RATE AND CHOLESTEROL: IS THERE A LINK? Absolutely -- but not the one researchers had hoped to find.    READ MORE

The Town Council's Press Release may, indeed, have been misleading, critics contend, the rates will only increase under the new guidelines. It's been tried before in Quartzsite -- but state guidelines have prevented the reclassification of park models to mobile homes, in an effort to increase utility revenue Quartzsite so desperately needs... READ MORE  PRESS RELEASE
ELECTION RESULTS 'SHOCKING'
In a sharply divided town full of angst and opposition, the 'almost magical' election handed every single seat to Quartzsite's already seated councilmen. "That not even one seat was won by an opposing candidate is unbelievable," said Pat Workman. "All Ed needed as Mayor to stop them from overtaking the entire town was one additional vote -- and without it the people stand no chance at all," Dave 'Red' Gjerdahl stated.

The results stunned onlookers and raised more questions than answers. Many people had complained that they'd not received their absentee ballot -- and their requests for another were rebuffed at the La Paz County offices. Now that these ballots are  shown as the tipping point for the entire election there will surely be demands for a comprehensive investigation.
           Sunshine in Arizona    READ MORE
TOWN DECIMATES OLDHAM'S RUNWAY

Even as voters make their way to the polls, the town's plows were at Oldham's Main Event tearing up the airstrip -- one more liability the town can ill afford to pay. Was it a last ditch effort to show their power? The resulting burms are clearly a threat to anyone landing on the airstrip.

The council voted publicly only to cite Oldham -- but when a judge ruled against the first batch of citations, the town's position seemed indefensible. Oldham was not notified of the intent to destroy the airstrip -- he had attorneys working to defend against the onslaught of the town's attacks against him. Events already slated, however, were going forward while the legal battle was underway. The destruction of the runway was a clear effort to ruin the airstrip and render it completely unusable instead of waiting for a court to rule.

There is now no asphalt undercoating on the wide swathe torn by the town's graders and piled beside the runway making the runway unsafe -- and there is no way to inform pilots of the hazard..                             Pictures HERE

The Oldham's documentation clearly shows the runway was only advertised as an emergency strip after permission from the council then in office was granted -- but the angst of the new sitting council has been more than apparent, particularly where the ex-Mayor's properties have been concerned. As the situation has grown more dire, people are questioning how it got to be this far beyond the control of the people. ..                   READ MORE

Foster has addressed the issue of Tuesday's council meeting here, in The MINESHAFT, his local publication.

The 'public' meeting of the town's incumbents has already created a flap: attendees have indicated that the acting Mayor stated that the town would have to learn to get along without vendors... and he now denies he made that statement.