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ONE COPY PER PERSON PLEASE Vol. 6 Issue #112 FREE Community Paper Serving The Communities Of Quartzsite, Ehrenberg, Brenda & Bouse WED. JULY 7, 2010 Fireworks & Fun See story on page 2 Photo by Starr BearCat Photo by Linda Ward Quartzsite’s New Mascot? “Hello! My name is Eduardo Saguaro! Wonderful World of Rocks and Gems and you’ll understand why we live here!” Come and experience the Welcome to my home in Quartzsite, AZ! A month of news at a glance • Local Businessman offers County $6.5 Million Bailout • 2010-2011 Budget Approved • Calls for Mayor’s Resignation • Election Corruption in Quartzsite? • Mayor Distrusts Town Manager • Confl icts Rise Between Mayor/Council • New Subdivison Approved [Editor’s note: It’s been a long month since the last issue of the Desert Messenger. To keep updated with all that occured, I am posting news on www.QuartzsiteBlog.com. It will be another long month, so check online for all the latest news.] Quartzsite- The Regular council meetings of June 8 and June 22 drew standing room only crowds, angry outbursts from the public, and confl ict between offi cials. In a Budget Worksession meeting on June 18th, it was brought out that the town is operating under budget for the 2nd year in a row. The June 22nd meet- ing lasted two and a half hours, with over an hour of comments from the public. The council approved the 2010-2011 Budget. Council members Jerry Lukkasson and Joe Winslow called for the mayor’s resignation. Quartzsite Police Chief Jeff Gilbert announced to the public that there are allegations of corruption of the election of March 9, 2010. For a 2000-word full report of the meeting, visit www.QuartzsiteBlog.com On a different note, local business owner, Richard Oldham, has offered to bail out the county of its $9.2 mil- lion in damages awarded to Yakima by the Arizona Court of Appeals on June 22, 2010. In “La Paz County v. Yakima”, a 48-page opinion, the court stated the trial court did not err in fi nding in favor of the Yakima Company, and upheld the award of $9.2 million. The case revolves around the Yakima Company which en- tered into an agreement in September 2002 with the county for operating a municipal sludge-drying facility next to the county landfi ll on Hwy. 95 between Quartzsite and Parker. SEE NEWS ON PAGE 6 the town’s bank of choice HCB : Quartzsite- After months of discussion, the Quartz- site Town Council voted unanimously to move all the bank accounts to Horizon Community Bank (HCB) branch offi ce in Quartzsite. During a special meeting held on Wed. June 30, 2010 questions were answered by Chief Financial Offi cer, Ross Johnson, of Lake Havasu City. HCB opened the Quartzsite branch in September, 2005. Residents have welcomed the opportunity to bank locally, rather than drive 30 miles to Parker. The change will provide convenience and savings for the Town of Quartzsite. AVP Branch Manager, Suzan Fonda said she was “absolutely thrilled that the town is now supporting the local community” with local banking. Fonda explained there are other benefi ts, such as “the employees of a business that banks with us qualifi es for ‘Absolute Best Checking’ group banking package.” ABC includes free checking, no minimum balance, free fi rst order of checks, free online bank- ing, bill pay, check imaging, e-statements, Quick- Books, and more. The bank’s mission statement says, “It is our intent to be the most respected and profi table community bank in the communities we serve. We will uphold our commitment to deliver a hometown, differenti- ating experience for our consumers.” For more information on banking locally with Ho- rizon Community Bank, please contact one of their Team Members at 225 N. Central Blvd., Quartzsite or phone 928-927-7660. 4th of July FREE!