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WED. OCT. 5, 2011 Vol. 8 Issue #137 N�� O�����! www.DesertMessenger.com Jose Lizarraga still Quartzsite mayor Quartzsite, AZ - Jennifer Jones, former mayor- al candidate, challenged the eligibility of Jose Lizarraga, who beat Ed Foster in the mayoral recall election of Aug. 30th. A hearing was held Sept. 22, 2011 in La Paz Superior Court. Judge Michael Burke ruled on September 29th that "Jose Lizarraga is quali- fied to hold the office of Mayor of the Town of Quartzsite if either he posted the required bond or if the town has a blanket bond that covers all its officers." Quartzsite Town Manager Alex Taft told the Desert Messenger, "the blanket bond covers all elected officials, including Jose Lizarraga." In her Statement of Contest, Jones challenged Lizarraga violated open meeting laws; that Lizarraga thwarted Mayor Fosters' investiga- tion into wrong-doing by him and the coun- cil; that the town council, including Lizarraga, unlawfully changed the law to thwart Foster's investigation into conduct by the town council and Lizarraga; that the town council and Lizar- raga engaged in various acts in violation of the law intended to impede investigation into Lizarraga's misconduct; that town council and Lizarraga participated in unlawful revocation of town businesses and vending permits; that Lizarraga was unlawfully sworn in as mayor at a special meeting on Sept. 6, 2011; that Lizar- raga did not post the required bond prior to him assuming office. The court found the al- legations were only accusations, that there was no proof to substantiate the allegations. In his ruling, Judge Burke explained Section 2-1-7 of the Town Code covering the posting of a bond by council members appears to allow SEE MAYOR ON PAGE 5 Quartzsite Country Bash with Harry Luge & Rodeo Oct. 15 2nd Annual Quartzsite- The Harry Luge Band returns to 2nd An- nual Quartzsite Country Bash on Saturday, October 15th, 2011. The fundraiser for Quartzsite Rotary will take place at Town Park from 2pm-10pm. This fam- ily friendly event will showcase Harry Luge, a well- known performer from the "Country Thunder" Festi- val circuit from the Southwest to Midwest. "Harry's music is most relevant when one hears a simplicity that transcends the transient, reaches across political lines and reaches deep inside each listener with stories relat- ing to family, sense of place, personal growth and every- day life. As a result, Harry's popularity is a well developed institution throughout Ari- zona." There will also be a rodeo featuring the bulls of the Bro- ken Slash P Rodeo Company. Broken Slash P was founded in 1999 by Jesse Pettigrew, who was the 2000 Turquoise Circuit Rookie of the Year in steer wrestling as well as yearend Pickup Man for the Grand Canyon Pro Rodeo Finals. The bulls of Broken Slash P have been used at Mr. Lucky's Nightclub in Phoenix, and participated in MAIN ST. EATERY * $ 275 NOW OPEN FOR DINNER Thurs. Fri. & Sat. 4-7pm FISH FRIDAYS! min. PRIME RIB SATURDAYS! OPEN YEAR-ROUND! The Gathering Place of Quartzsite for Good Food, Fun and Friendship! 205 E. Main Street, Quartzsite Photo courtesy of www.HarryLuge.com one of the largest open bull riding exhibitions at Country Thunder in Florence. The bulls are cur- rently being featured at Rawhide Western Town in Chandler, Arizona. Broken Slash P has sev- eral Championship Lines in their stable, includ- ing Baby Huey, the 2008 Bull of the Year for the Grand Canyon Pro Rodeo Association. To kick the event of in style, there will be a pre-party event on Friday, October 14th featur- ing live music for all ticket holders. Gates open at 7pm on Friday. VFW Post 769 members (with member cards) receive free admission. Purchase tickets in Quartzsite at the Grub- stake Bar & Restaurant, Quartzsite General Store, Main St. Laundromat & Eatery, and VFW Post 769. In Parker, folks can purchase tickets at Little Brown Jug. Holt Engineering Group has tickets for sale in Blythe, Calif. Tickets are also SEE BASH ON PAGE 5 What's Inside 2 Editorial 4 Letters to Editor 6 Voices from the Past 10 Around Town 14 Thoughtbuster.com 15 Perspectives 16 Church Directory 20 Puzzles 23 Classifieds Watch council meeting videos at www.YouTube.com/ user/qwatchingeyes MAIN ST. LAUNDROMAT Full Service Laundry! Pick up & Delivery! 928-927-4163 "Quartzsite's FREE Community Paper" FREE! Open Daily 6AM Open 6AM- 2PM FREE with any meal* COFFEE Showers $6