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December 21, 2011 www.DesertMessenger.com Attorney General finds Open Meeting Violations In a letter to Quartzsite Town Attorney Martin Brannan dated Dec. 9, Assistant Attorney General Christopher Munns stated his office found alleged violations relating to the council's June 28 regular meeting and the July 10 emergency meeting. In a press release last week, Attorney General Tom Horne cited four alleged violations: • June 28: While addressing the council, Quartzsite resident Jennifer Jones was removed from the meeting by a vote of the council, Horne said. She had turned her back on the council and was addressing the audience, which the council reasonably could object to, he said. Public bodies can eject members of the public for disruptive conduct, but they must first give a warning, which the council failed to do, Horne said. • July 10: The Council convened an emergency meeting at the Town Hall to dis- cuss disruptions during previous meetings. The Council locked the doors to the meeting room and did not allow any member of the public to attend its meeting, Horne said. Excluding the public from the meeting violated the Open Meeting Law, Horne said. • Dec. 9: In a related violation, the Attorney General said the Council did not fully comply with the posting requirements for emergency meetings. Horne said as of Dec. 9, the minutes of the emergency meeting were not posted on the town's website. • The final violation involved the failure to comply with posting requirements for notices and minutes, Horne said. The council did not post minutes for the July 10 emergency meeting, according to Horne. The council also failed to post minutes for a number of its meetings labeled as "work sessions," Horne said. As for remedies, the AG recommended the council discuss the letter in an open meeting, that council members receive training from the League of Arizona Towns and Cities on the Open Meeting Law in an open meeting, and that the council be subject to oversight from the AG's office for a period of one year. The letter stated the AG's office could not substantiate claims council members were discussing town business at a local restaurant, or that they were meeting in the town manager's office prior to council meetings. They said they found no corroborating evidence to substantiate these claims. The town will have until Dec. 30 to let Munns know if they agree to the recom- mendations in the letter. "On the Road Again" New Year's Eve at HOLIDAY PALMS ~ ~ 8pm - Midnight Performing your Favorite Country and Oldies Dance Music QIA: Wednesdays: Dec. 21, Dec. 28, Jan. 11, Jan. 25 - 7-10pm Senior Center: Fridays: Jan. 6, Jan. 20, 7-10pm Holiday Palms: New Year's Eve, Dec. 31, 8pm to midnight and Fri. Jan 13, 7-9 pm JR's RV Park: Wed. Jan. 4; Sat. Jan. 21; and Wed. Feb. 1, 7-9 pm Got something to share? • Birth • Obituary • Anniversary * Wedding A FREE Service of Desert MESSENGER! 541-218-2560 Hi Jolly Daze Parade planned for Jan. 7, 2012 The 24rd Annual Hi Jolly Daze Parade will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at noon. The Town of Quartzsite and sponsors are planning the best parade in years! The parade will start at 12:00 NOON. The parade starts at the Fire Station on E. Tyson, heads east, then south on Plymouth ending up at Town Park where there will be lots of food, music and fun for the whole family. The theme this year is "Arizona thru the Century" with the Arizona Centen- nial year upon us. Enter your float, walk, dance, play your music, ride your bike, drive your car, ATV, RV, or walk the dog, but bring the whole family and your friends for a fun time. The Hi Jolly Daze Parade and activities afterwards at Town Park brings the residents, businesses, organizations and our Winter Visitors together to celebrate our winter season and pay tribute to the man who made our area his home for fifty years. Parade Entry Forms may be picked up at: Quartzsite Business Chamber of Commerce, Town Hall and the Quartzsite Senior Center. No Entry FEES! Or download online at www.QuartzsiteRocks.com. Drop off the Entry forms at Town Hall. Please turn in entries by Wednesday, January 4, 2012. For more informationlease call Quartzsite Town Hall at 928-927-4333 or call Rain at 541-218-2560. Visit www.QuartzsiteRocks.com! 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