Desert Messenger

6 www.DesertMessenger.com August 12, 2020 DESERT MESSENGER Quartzsite's FREE Community Paper Proud to be a Quartzsite Licensed Business 928-916-4235 O� T��� - E���� T���! Founded by Walt Akin October 1, 2004 P�������� �� P���� R��� P��������� C�. P.O. Box 3185 Quartzsite, AZ 85359 P�������� ����� � ����� 1st & 3rd Wednesday Sept. thru May with Special Summer Editions June, July & August OWNER/EDITOR/PUBLISHER GRAPHIC DESIGN/ AP AR MARKETING EXECUTIVE/CLASSIFIEDS Shanana "Rain" Golden-Bear CONTRIBUTING JOURNALIST Jackie Deal CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Starr BearCat NAME PLATE DESIGN Paul Winer www.DesertMessenger.com www.MyQuartzsite.com E-mail: Editor@DesertMessenger.com 2020 © Copyright All Rights Reserved Copyright 2013 Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Desert Messenger. LIKE US on Facebook.com/ DesertMessengerNews FOLLOW US on Twitter @QuartzsiteRain By Shanana "Rain" Golden-Bear DEADLINE : WED. AUG.26 TH for Sept. 2 nd edition Desert Messenger News Email: editor@DesertMessenger.com 928-916-4235 www.DesertMessenger.com COVID-19 Updates Election drama again in Quartzsite? Haven't we learn from the past yet? Quartzsite has been known for its po- litical drama more than most small towns. In fact there's a new docu- mentary that focuses on Quartzsite's checkered past. At least this year, no one threatened anyone...oh, wait, I did get that one comment on social media, "You gonna DIE." Oh, well, it's not the fi rst time someone threat- ened me for speaking the facts. In contrast, in the early 90's, vot- ing in southern Oregon was pretty uneventful; most campaign signs had dissappeared on election day and there was absolutely no political advertising on TV or newspapers on election day. And then I moved to Arizona. The 2010 Election in Quartzsite was another story. As I drove up to the poll, I saw candidates and supporters set up across from the Senior Cen- ter waving their signs and yelling at people who went inside to vote. Well, that was rather an unusual sight! Once inside, I stood behind one of the Council candidates and his wife, who created a bit of a rucus. They ended up being turned away because they couldn't produce photo IDs. The poll workers explained they could return with other documents such as rental receipts, electric, etc. The poll workers asked made me to wait a few minutes while they shuffl ed the paperwork. But, wait...How could a candidate running for Town Council not have an Arizona ID? Well, he did lose the election, but I still emailed my concerns and experience to the Town Manager. Who knew that email would later be read outloud by a political activist in a public council meeting in an attempt to humiliate me? Well, that didn't work! Since incorporation, Quartzsite has seen its fair share of political contro- versy. Conspiracy to commit murder of the fi rst mayor, resignations, may- oral arrests, viral videos, and candi- dates disqualifi ed or their residency requirements challenged in court. But over the past few years, things have been rather quiet and productive with a solution oriented council. But then, just two weeks be- fore the primary, La Paz County Elections Director disqualifi ed a Quartzsite candidate. The Election Dept. told Desert Messenger write- in candidate Sam Saxton was "not a qualifi ed elector and cannot run for offi ce at this time." Is it because folks think we are just the "Wild West" and think no one will notice or care? Or maybe folks just don't want to follow the rules (AKA the law?) Well, I do care and I hope you and future candidates will care more about following the Rule of Law. Mayor Norm Simpson intro- duced the phrase, "What Happens in Quartzsite Goes Around the World!" It is up to each of us to be part of that story. We all must hold candidates and elected offi cials re- sponsible for their actions. A lot has changed in the last ten years, but history seems to repeat itself... un- less we as a community shift our fo- cus to a more prosperous future. COVID-19 has created more stress in our community, but work- ing together we can all be a positive infl uence on the future of our lovely town. Let us learn from our past and be Quartzsite Strong Together! There are a total of 188,737 con- fi rmed cases of coronavirus in Ari- zona and 4,199 coronavirus-related deaths according to the AZDHS numbers Tuesday morning. The La Paz County Health Depart- ment is unfortunately announc- ing one additional death, related to COVID-19. This individual was over the age of 65 years old, hos- pitalized within the county, with underlying health conditions and resided in the Quartzsite service district. The county is currently at a total of 480 cases. Please do your part and stay home when you do not feel well! If you are experiencing a change in how you feel and get tested, please stay home until you receive the test results. • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiz- er. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue. Consider wearing cloth face coverings, if it can be safe- ly managed, in public settings where other physical distancing measures are diffi cult to maintain. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. • If you are at higher risk for severe illness, you should avoid attend- ing congregate settings. People at higher risk for severe illness include adults 65 or older and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions. For more information on La Paz County and the state, please visit the ADHS coronavirus website at www.azdhs.gov/coronavirus, the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/COV- ID19 , the La Paz County Health De- partment website at https://www. lpchd.com/ and the Facebook page @LaPazCounty.HealthDepartment

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