24 NOVEMBER 2008 -- In an open session of the Quartzsite Town Council, an agenda item -- consideration of the possible appointment of [Citizen's Coalition chairman] Dean Taylor -- was brought before the council.

Councilman Carolyn Guthrie took the opportunity to state that although she had initially suggested Taylor for the Planning and Zoning Commission, she 'was disappointed' in herself for having done so.

Guthrie went on to accuse Taylor [transcript here]  of extortion.

Taylor, a military veteran who has openly stated he lost 50% of his hearing at the age of 17 in the U.S. Army, has indicated he was unable to hear most of Guthrie's comments -- even when Guthrie reiterated her accusations in the second portion of this video.

"I was shocked when people told me what she'd said in the meeting," Taylor stated. "I am not guilty of extortion and I believe this is retaliation for my leading a recall effort naming Guthrie, as well as the Citizen's Coalition becoming established as an ethics oversight committee for the Town Council -- something the council has long opposed."

"They were given every opportunity to allow ethics oversight. It was refused at every turn."

A good case in pointe, according to Taylor, is the way Guthrie talked to and about him in the public meeting.

"I can't believe she was allowed to talk about me like this and I think she should have been stopped by those that could clearly hear her. The town attorney [Daniel G. Field] had to know this was wrong."

When asked to comment Field stated, "It was a bit of a surprise but that was her feelings, I guess."