Desert Messenger

40 www.DesertMessenger.com December 20, 2023 SPECIAL SECTION November 21, 2012 WHAT'S INSIDE 2 Editorial 4 Letters to Editor 7 Election Results 8 Around Town 12 Voices from the Past 14-15 Restaurants 18 Hi Jolly Pioneers 19 Adventures in Rock 32 Church Directory 34 ROCK MAP 35 MUSIC JAMS 36 Puzzle Page 37 Astrology 38 Paul Winer's Comic 38-39 Classifi eds Santa's Workshop Arts & Crafts Festival this weekend! ����� | S���� B���C�� www.DesertMessenger .com • "Quartzsite's FREE Community Paper" • 541-218-2560 N�� �� ��� 9 th YEAR! 9 By Joanne Winer After all the turkey and fi xings have settled, and the holiday is over, be sure to rest up for another great event in Quartzsite! The Quartzsite Busi- ness Chamber of Commerce invites you to come and check out our fi rst annual Santa's Workshop Arts and Crafts Festival that will be held at Ty- son Wells Showgrounds on Sat. Nov. 24th and Sun. Nov. 25th. The event will take place in the sec- ond metal building from the corner, where the artists had their Rock Mo- tel. The inside of the building is fi lled, and there will be lots of outside tables and booths as well. Crafters from all over the place will be set up and ready Shake up at Quartzsite Town Hall SEE TOWN HALL PAGE 3 MAIN ST . MONDAY TUESDAY LUNCH Specials DINNER SPECIALS • 4-7pm WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY By Shanana Rain Golden-Bear Quartzsite, Arizona - Three high ranking Town of Quartzsite offi cials have recently been dismissed. Dur- ing Town Council's regular meeting of Tuesday, November 13th, members voted 6-1 to terminate Town Manager Alexandra Taft's contract. Pat Work- man, who campaigned with Mayor Ed Foster promising to fi re Taft, was the only dissenting vote. Taft had been placed on administrative leave on Au- gust 28, 2012, shortly after placing Quartzsite Police Chief Jeff Gilbert on administrative leave. Assistant Town Manager Al Johnson was dismissed October 26th by Inter- im Town Manager Laura Bruno, after he was placed on administrative leave early September due to "inappropriate actions on his part." Town Attorney Martin Brannan was dismissed by Bruno "for cause" on Oc- tober 30th. Taft held many job titles in her long career at Quartzsite Town Hall. She served as Librarian, Care Watch Coor- dinator, wrote grants, and was instru- mental in the creation of many volun- teer boards. Taft served under Town Manager Dan Fields as Asst. Town Manager before being hired as Town Manager in 2009. Taft was a propo- nent of procuring grants for the Town Park, the new walking paths, the new Community Center, and protecting Quartzsite's 1000+ year old Ironwood trees. Taft planned to retire in 2014. Taft became a target of criticism when the Arizona Ombudsman-Citizen's Aide offi ce found the Town of Quartz- site wrongfully denied Foster's 2011 request for copies of payroll checks and vouchers. Johnson was hired in 2009 as Build- ing Offi cial, creating controversy with local contractors. In 2011 he was named Asst. Town Manager. While Taft was on administrative leave, Have a Happy Thanksgiving to greet you and entice you with their wonderful handmade items! The theme is "Christmas with Santa's Workshop", but not all items will be Christmas related. Some of the craft- ers will be bringing jewelry, crocheted items, painted rocks, wood carving, handmade clothing and gift items, plastic canvas items, dolls, cards, mag- nets, pot holders and lights. There will also be rope cowboy art, vases, clocks, beaded scarves, items in wood, leather, and metal, marble tiles, painted sand dollars, bird feed- ers, handmade crosses, walking sticks, wood-burning items, engraving on glass and plastic, quilts, Christmas wreaths, candles, ornaments and much, much more!! Crafters will be able to set up Friday afternoon, and the booths and doors will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Be sure to come over and check out all the goodies you will fi nd for yourself or as a gift for a special friend or loved one. There will be a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, lots of little elves run- ning around, and a raffl e will be held both days with items donated by the crafters in the festival. Lots of fun for everyone!! For more information, please call the Business Chamber at 928-927-9321 or drop in to the offi ce at 110 W. Main St. Hope to see you all there!!!

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