Desert Messenger

September 7, 2016 www.DesertMessenger.com 7 Opinions expressed in letters to the editor do not necessarily represent those of the Desert Messenger. letters to the editor Corner of Moon Mt. & Cowell • Quartzsite • 928-927-5400 QUARTZSITE'S ONLY YEAR ROUND SALON Cheyanne, Debbi, and Sandy ARE HERE FOR ALL YOUR OPEN YEAR ROUND! Hair, Nails, and Pedicure Services READER'S OASIS BOOKS 690 E. Main - Quartzsite (one block east of Family Dollar) 928-927-6551 PROPERTY VALUES IMPORTANT The talk: confronting a neighbor who's hurting your home value Maybe if you had to pay prop- erty tax you would clean up your environment and show you care and are proud to live in this town. Appearance shows a lot about how the community thinks about itself; what the people want and what to attract to the town. Property values are important. Pat Meissner Quartzsite THANK YOU FOR VOTES Starr BearCat Newly Elected Quartzsite Council Member I want to thank everyone who voted for me in this election that allowed me to have enough votes to be able to represent all the people of Quartzsite. After the General Election in November is when I will be sworn in and take my seat. I look forward to work- ing with Jerald Kinkade, (little is known of his politics or points of view though), the New Mayor and sitting Council Members with the Town Manager Jim Ferguson, as a Team to move Quartzsite into the 21st Century and solve the issues for Quartzsite to begin prospering and growing. The Quartzsite Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism will hold a Networking Breakfast Thursday, Sept. 22nd at Mountain Quail Cafe. The informal (no-host) meeting will start at 7am. Chamber events offer a chance for community members to share information about your busi- ness or organization. Come learn more about the what's happening at the new Quartzsite Chamber & Tourism Information Center located at 1240 W. Main Street, across from McDonald's. The office is on sum- mer hours: 10-2, closed Tuesday & Sunday. For more information visit www.QuartzsiteTourism.com or call 928-927-5200. Chamber & Tourism hosts Networking Breakfast Sept. 22 Thanks to everyone who came out to VOTE, no matter who you voted for, exorcising their precious Con- stitutional right. Council Member Elect Starr BearCat THANK YOU FOR BEING SPECIAL I have always thought of Quartzsite as the Little Town with the Big Heart, because of the way it pulls together in time of tragedy or need in the community. I experienced it when my daughter Celia had her first accident and a dog bit her lip off--many people came to visit her and sent her cards and notes to cheer her up--people we didn't even know. Then, years later when she passed away in 1994, this town showed us such compassion and love that we were overwhelmed by the kindness of friends and strang- ers alike. It has been that way for others who have suffered in this town as well as us, and it makes you feel very special to have so many hugs and well wishes from everyone. In the middle of July I was very sick with what I just thought was stomach aches from not eating--the heat just drained me and I wasn't able to keep anything down. After two weeks Paul took me to the clinic where they immediately sent me to the Emergency Room in Parker, who later sent me to the hospital in Phoenix where I spent two and a half weeks. I had suffered almost to- tal kidney failure, and they told me one more day and I might not have made it. They also found a huge kid- ney stone that had to be removed or it could block my whole system. At the time, we did not have insurance, and Paul applied for ACCHESS at the hospital. We didn't even have enough money for gas for him to visit me in Phoenix so he stayed and worked. Some ladies came into the store one day and asked him if they could set up a Go Fund Me account and help us with some expenses. I hesitated be- cause I didn't want to take money from anyone, but they did set it up and people did donate. I was finally approved for insurance so that stay was covered, and got a grant for some of the medication I needed to combat a rare infection ($10,000) just for pills. The money that was raised in the account really helped us with our extra expenses that incurred through driving to Phoe- nix to get me and losing days in the store, paying bills etc. It was a god- send, and we would like to thank everyone who donated there and also those who came to the store with gifts for us. I would like to personally thank everyone who sent me cards and letters during this illness, and all the phone calls I received while in the hospital and recuperating at home. I would especially like to thank the Quartzsite Fire Dept. for the beautiful flower arrangement that arrived in the hospital in Phoenix, and to the VFW men's auxiliary for their check to give Paul enough money to come and get me. Joanne Robinson also helped out as did Jini and Don Dill who brought me stuff from home. I have been slowly recovering from this illness and hopefully will be back running around like crazy as soon as I can, but wanted to express my sincere thanks to everyone who prayed for me and helped us throughout this time. We are often asked why we like Quartzsite so much, and we always tell them it's because of the people here--we love this town and know that when something bad happens our friends and neighbors and even strangers are always there to pitch in and help. Thank you all for being so special!! Joanne Winer Quartzsite

• Cover