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Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/57511
Page 28 CANDIDATES FROM PAGE 26 Qualifications - What qualified the ap- pointed predecessors? (Wes, Jerry, Mike, Pat, etc.) I could certainly do no worse than those who have held the seat in recent years. Actually, a trained chimp could do no worse and might be more pleasant to sit next to on the dais! At least I have com- mon sense, I know how to spend within my financial limitations and have proven my ability to ask tough questions, speak the truth even when it's not popular, research state statutes, county codes and municipal ordinances as well as relevant case law. Attract business - Stop using the mu- nicipal court for revenue generating by harassing the tourists with parking tickets instead of warnings, working with busi- nesses to come into compliance with rea- sonable codes and ordinances instead of issuing punitive fees or fines, give the ven- dors back the annual permit, and re-brand the town as a "new and improved" family friendly and fun destination (after Taft, Gilbert, Johnson and the current council members are no longer ruing our reputa- tion with the world that exists outside of the sand box, and the intelligent people of Quartzsite have shown their commitment to rebuild our image by voting all the in- cumbents out). Benefit the community - To whom are www.DesertMessenger.com you referring when you say "community"? Everyone who stays here full or part time, or just the land owning gentry? You mean, beyond helping to rescue and help find homes for the cats the Paw Power shelter abandoned (before they became a public nuisance)? Those whom I've helped in the last year already know and I didn't do it for appearances, so I'm not going to pat myself on the back for your blatantly biased and pathetic little attempt at election coverage Most important issue - Municipal bank- ruptcy. Vision for next 5 years - Financially sol- vent and not supplanting funds or borrow- ing from HURF, WIFA or any other monies that are not allocated to the general fund. Be free from entangling grants. [Editor's note: Mrs. Jones falsely stated in her resonse to the public, that I was in her "yard" when she wasn't home. She currently resides in La Posa North where one does not really have a "yard", nor is fencing allowed. I believe she may be referring to the day I drove out to BLM LTVA investigating two stories and came upon the candidate's "camp" flying the United States flag upside down. If she would have noticed, the pho- to in Jan. 4th edition of Desert Messenger was taken from a long distance from the camp. Just to clarify her false accusation: Never have I en- tered her camp or "yard"-which comes from Old English geard; enclosure - on BLM lands!] Full Service Cardiovascular Office in Quartzsite! MARK ORGERON In response to the questionnaire, the fol- lowing is what I believe to be relevant to my seeking office in the town of Quartzsite. My name is Mark Orgeron and I am origi- nally from Louisiana. I retired from the Navy after 21 years of service to our coun- try. After retiring from the Navy, I began teaching math in a middle school and later taught algebra and college algebra at one of the local high schools. I moved on from there to teach here in Quartzsite. Along with being retired and currently teaching, I also am a shareholder in an LLC in Louisiana that deals with oil and natu- ral gas. I hold a Master's of Art in Educa- tion/Administration and Supervision. My educational background is in accounting, criminal justice, psychology, and educa- tion and supervision. I believe that I am qualified to be an ef- fective councilman due to my background in accounting and my management expe- rience in the classroom. While on active duty, I successfully ran an operating bud- get in excess of $80 million. I have been bonded by the U.S. Treasury to issue and sign government checks in my duties as a Deputy Disbursing Officer. Being in the military is the same as working for the most diverse company in the world. The military breeds good leadership qualities. To be effective as a teacher, one must be able to manage their classroom and sur- roundings. Tourism is an important part of Quartz- site, but it is not the only thing we have go- ing. To attract more business to Quartz- site, we need to begin by having a viable housing market to help entice others. First we must look at what companies are look- ing for and correct those deficiencies. Although I do not sit on any boards, I CARDIOVASCULAR DIVISION OF IMS Diagnose and Treat • chest pain • shortness of breath • leg pain • varicose veins • leg swelling • palpitations LOCATED in Palm Plaza 255 N. Central Blvd. #5 Quartzsite Cardiac Services Provided • stress testing • echocardiograms • vascular ultrasound • PAD screening • coronary angioplasty/stenting • peripheral angioplasty/stenting All testing done on-site No need to travel 928-927-6105 have supported our community by spon- soring 2 rocks painted by our elementary students. I previously participated in the Chili Cook-Off and purchased bricks for the snack-shack. I also support the com- munity by spending my money locally with businesses that are here all year long. In the next two years, the most impor- tant issue at hand is to repair the fractured state of our community. My future vision is to have a safe environment for our chil- dren, have a viable housing market with adequate rental units that show potential businesses we are here and ready for mod- erate growth. I chose not to answer a few of the ques- tions as to where I live and how long I have been at my residence. I will say that I own my home here in Quartzsite and do not want unwanted visitors. If you are a close friend, you already know where I live. I think we need to not ask such questions, but instead focus on why we allow people to use town equipment for their own per- sonal gain. Let's stop the "good-ole-boy" club mentality and have a community where citizens can participate in govern- ment and be proud to live in Quartzsite. I am your educated choice for Town Coun- cil and remember to vote NO on Prop. 1. March 7, 2012 JOE WINSLOW I am a Town Councilman seeking re-elec- tion. I live in J.R's RV Park and have resid- ed there for nearly 7 years, and a Quartz- site resident for 12 years. I'm not a party to any on-going legal action against our town. I've never been arrested, nor do I have a criminal record. I received my baccalaureate degree from Evergreen State College in 1982. I com- pleted one year of post-graduate studies at Lyndenwood College, St. Charles, MO, but was recalled to active duty, before completion. Prior to retirement in 1996, I served as Washing State Military Archivist for nine years. I was an Infantryman for 16 of 24 years of service. Due to a service- connected disability I was retained by the government as a contractor in various po- sitions and finally as Military Technician. In addition to my previous three years as a council member, I have expertise in pre- vious governmental positions, which is a definite asset. As member of Washington State Emer- gency Operations Center, part of my job was to locate and dispatch military and ci- vilian personnel, and their ancillary equip- ment to various locations throughout the state. This requires a high degree of orga- nizational ability; liaising with local, state and federal agencies and other assets. An in-depth understanding of capabilities and requirements is mandatory. If re-elected, among my short term goals would be the completion of our Communi- ty Center, Assisted Living Facility, the So- lar Tower and other endeavors. Long term goals will primarily consist of the joint ci- vilian/military airport project and a town sponsored animal shelter. In addition to closely following the Town's Master Plan, I believe we should focus much of our energies on developing an ATV oriented business economy. I be- lieve this will attract much needed tourist revenues and greatly enhance our tourist based businesses. In the past year, I have attended and vol- unteered at various functions around our town. I actively support/participate in at many Quartzsite organizations/clubs, and would do more, but for time and manda- tory obligations; WACOG, Head Start, Op- eration Hero Comfort, etc. The most important issue facing Quartz- site for the next two years, and beyond, is the continuity of our government. We can accomplish nothing if we do not have a stable government. Towards that end, I fully support the Council/Management form of government. Some 87 towns and cities in our state have council appointed mayors. A council then has the ability to censor and/or remove those members who don't perform. In addition, the public may still recall a member of the council (for that is what a mayor is). We've had six mayors in the last 4 years. Since incorporation in 1989, Quartzsite has had exactly one may- or who completed his full term. It takes years to learn the job of a coun- SEE CANDIDATES ON PAGE 29