Business News

Quartzsite's 'firing line' an ever growing list...

The protests of the Town concerning Quartzsite's Citizens Coalition -- which seems to be a constant source of consternation for them -- have been heard since the group's inception. And, indeed, many members participate via communication because they are afraid of the fallout if they allow themselves to be seen as participants.

The truth of the coalition meetings is this:

There are those that belong to the coalition that speak far more often -- and far more loudly -- than others. But the issues brought to the forum are interesting and often bear the earmarks of genuine.

They include people with 'typical' concerns and while someone will at times attend that has a political agenda to discuss, the group or its forums have never been abused or utilized to create problems for anyone. They are always open to the public. They are a viable group and seem earnest.

The recall efforts have brought people to the group that have never participated before. These individuals often explain why they are doing what they do to the group's members -- but the group has never endeavored to have anyone recalled. People are welcome to participate in open discussions but, again, there are always those that enjoy speaking and do it often, creating an atmosphere more conducive to listening for most of those that attend.

Ex-Mayor Richard Oldham rarely speaks at the meetings and is there to stay informed as are many of the participants. Oldham is not the catalyst for change that he is consistently accused of being. For anyone particularly interested, Deborah Ireland takes notes or makes video tapes, writing about the Coalition's activities in QUARTZSITENEWS.COM. She, too, stays quiet at the meetings unless it is to ask a question -- and that is a rarity. She reports only as the situation merits, and both have refused to publish anything they believe to be defamatory or volatile.

It was reported recently that someone described the group as having a purpose that involved "disruption" and if such evidence that that occurred were to exist, we would like to request that it be presented for publication here. Since Richard Oldham and Deborah Ireland were both present and recorded the meeting in question, it would be most interesting to know exactly when this announcement transpired that it was not heard by all those present at this meeting.

In fact, as publishers of QUARTZSITENEWS.COM, no organization that had such a purpose as that would be followed in this publication.

The QUARTZSITENEWS.COM site does not participate in libelous nor slanderous activities. We attempt to consistently report both sides of any issue, and welcome input from our readers. Our purpose is to encourage Quartzsite to be the best it can be: not resort to the problematic behavior that has created the adversarial climate that exists in the town today.

We take the position that those reporting the news should do so accurately and forthrightly without engaging in accusations without merit and we believe that those calling themselves 'reporters' have a responsibility to abide by the rules set forth by journalistic societies that promote sound journalistic standards.

We believe that those doing the reporting should take responsibility for what they write and stand up for sound principals in procedure.

It should be unthinkable for any true 'media representative' to publish accusations without documentation and any item without contact information. Accuracy in media is backed up by the reputation of the reporter, and their willingness to stand behind their reporting.

Anything less will never be true journalism.

We have a reputation for quality journalism -- and as such, are inundated with reports from people complaining about many issues. Some of them talk of problems -- others bring substantiating evidence.

We, too, hear from whistleblowers and the issues of which they speak are sometimes of great concern.

These reports vary in context, ranging from the mildly interesting to the gravely disconcerting.

And although we often share their concern, we have often refused to report the activities and actions they have related, believing that they would only serve to escalate the tensions already seemingly out of control. But, too often, the evidence is undeniable and we -- too -- are concerned for the wellbeing of the community. Its reputation for these activities is certainly becoming widespread as more people read and report that they will not be returning here.

In the interest of truth, we cannot blame them. Most people do not have so much invested in Quartzsite that they cannot walk away in search of 'greener pastures' as evidenced by the number of business people who have already closed their businesses and moved on, while many, many others are up for sale, most quietly offered. Unless and until something happens to alter the course of the town, its future is truly bleak.

And while Quartzsite is already failing in the wake of so many allegations as well as a shaky economy, there are those that are not allowing the situation to rest: in fact, these matters seem to be being willfully escalated. Why? Quartzsite can only suffer further as a result.

Some residents are keenly aware that Quartzsite has -- in the past -- failed to recognize when the situation was becoming critical. It was not that long ago that the situation escalated to a disastrous point that culminated in Quartzsite coming into national focus as the 'Hellhole' in Arizona.

Thus, we have walked away from the reporting of many, many of these stories citizens come to report -- and the issues they would bring to bear if they were reported -- hoping that the overall good still in Quartzsite will ultimately prevail and that somehow the historically significant name of Quartzsite will be preserved... but we know that that is unlikely when editorials such as this must be published.

It is truly a loss for all concerned.

"Quartzsite, like many other small municipalities, must keep sight of how it came to be a popular winter destination," Foster stated at a coalition meeting. "Today, visitors and traveling vendors alike complain that Quartzsite is no longer receptive to the concerns of these special groups: and its tax base is dissolving under the weight. In the meantime, the political oversight has continued to sidestep issues and, above all, has sought to silence criticism rather than address the issues," he concluded.