Desert Messenger

8 www.DesertMessenger.com August 6, 2014 Contributed by: Violet Kiss I am going to make this short and sweet today. Well, I'll try (smile). Quartzsite Rotary sponsored a "Meet the Candidates" evening on Tuesday, July 29th for all can- didates who may hold a seat in Quartzsite. Namely, we invited all candidates for the Primary includ- ing any candidates who will be in the General Election this Novem- ber. These are candidates whose packets were turned in and record- ed by July 8th to have enough time for the preparations. It was held on July 29th since Quartzsite Prima- ry's "early ballots" were mailed out July 31st. We've had many "Thank Yous" for doing this and a few others who've had questions on why we did it. First, I'd like to tell you the history of "Meet the Candidates" Rotary Doings First locally-owned and operated music station in Quartzsite, Arizona. Proudly serving the communities of Quartzsite, Bouse, Brenda, Rainbow Acres, La Paz Valley and beyond, since 1988. Quartzsite Radio • Quartzsite's Favorite "CLASSIC HITS" • Local Information • Weather • 24 Hours Day / 7 Days Week! KBUX 94.3 FM 928-927-5111 http://kbuxradio.com here in Quartzsite. In the past, it was held also in the Senior Center, sponsored by the Quartzsite Cham- ber or the GFWC Women's Club. One thing I know for sure is that a sponsor must be non-profi t as well as non-political as we are also. In our Rotary International Manual of Procedure it is clear the merits of any public question involving the general welfare of the community are of concern and may be enlightened in forming their in- dividual opinions. It is also noted Rotary Clubs shall not endorse or recommend any candidate for public offi ce and the club shall not express an opinion on any pend- ing controversial public measure. On that basis and for the many who had asked us to sponsor it, we took it to our membership and it was voted unanimously to do it for the community. This simply was a service project for our commu- nity, no more, no less. We will also state here that any Rotarian who is THRIFT STORE Benefitting the La Paz County Animal Shelter in Parker Supported by your generous donations! 455 E. Main St. Quartzsite Open Tues. thru Sat. 9-3 928-927-4223 WITH THIS AD! Benefitting the La Paz County Animal Shelter in Parker THRIFT STORE La Paz County Animal Shelter WITH DENTURES $350 Full Set (replacement) • US Military trained w/ 30 plus years experience • Implant Dentures Available • Partials starting at $175 QUARTZSITE SNOWBIRD SPECIAL: Same Day Dentures and 1 Hour Reline/Repairs!! Dental Laboratory Service Call: 623-444-4013 • Goodyear, AZ http://www.DLSAZ.com Mexico Prices...USA Made!! either a candidate for any seat or is employed with Town Hall was not allowed to participate in any of the planning from step one. They were not allowed at any planning meet- ings, to give any comments or see any process of this event. All ques- tions were done completely fair. We also saw there was no better time to do such a service for our people than now when the com- munity has been coming together, talking together, sharing bread, fun, and enjoying each other in a truly friendly manner. I have been watching and am still in awe how the majority of our towns- people, all ages, come together even now to get information on something important to them. I would guess approximate 130 or so people showed up, listened to the same questions being asked of every member of the specifi c offi ces being sought, endured the awful heat when it appeared the A/C was not working adequately, and shift- ed instantaneously to the smaller lunch room, huddled together and fi nished listening to the pre-select- ed roll call of candidates and their answers to our hottest questions of the day here in Quartzsite. When all was done in this seg- ment, dessert (baked by Dee and Anna) was available with water and cof- fee and we entered into the fi nal stage, the "Meet and Greet". This time all who at- tended were able to ask questions one-on- one to the candidates of their choice and hopefully get answers clarifi ed or answers helping them make better decisions and to pick up any of their litera- ture as they left. Either way, we're all so pleased at the result, a good old fashioned town get-together. My sincere thank yous, besides to the wonderful people of Quartzsite, are to the hard-working team put- ting this together: Judi Clark, Ron Jones, Dennis Kuehl, Steve Schue, Dee Sheehan and Anna DelPino.

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