Desert Messenger

September 7, 2011 Quartzsite Elementary School and Eh- renberg Elementary School are still tak- ing K-8 grade enrollments for the 2011- 2012 school year. We offer small class sizes, AZ certified teachers and extra- curricular activities including athletics. Breakfast and lunch are served at each school daily. Enrollment packets are available at the school office. Arizona requires the following documentation to enroll students: birth certificate, immunization records and proof of AZ residency (a rent receipt, utility bill or property tax receipt in the parent's name). QES seeking students September 15, 6:00 p.m.: Open House at Quartzsite Elementary School. The program will include our annual Title I meeting, information about the curriculum and programs offered in the school. The Quartzsite After School program started on August 30. This program provides a safe environment with fun activities for your children. For grades K-3 it runs Tues. through Thurs. 3 to 4:30. Friday is 4-8 grades, runs from 1:00 to 3:00. To sign your child up or for more information please contact Tracey or Yesenia at 928-927-9182. After School Program www.Desert Messenger.com Quartzsite - The month in review by Shanana Rain Golden-Bear Aug. 3- Oath Keepers announced their plans to Muster in Quartzsite on Aug. 27th in cooperation with Tea Party. Aug. 3- Coffee with Cops. Occupy and Liberate Quartzsite event was mentioned. Oath Keepers and Greater Phoenix Tea Party were told by two confirmed eye witnesses that Chief Jeff Gilbert called them "terrorists". Aug. 9- Regular Council meeting. There was some confusion regarding an addendum to the agenda posted Monday morning. There was an- other agenda posted by then-mayor Ed Foster taped to the outside of the glass case at Town Hall. Foster was de- manding a special meeting at the same time of the regular meeting. Foster's agenda stated he wanted council to de- clare a state of emergency, open to the public for discussion. Mike Jewitt was appointed and sworn in to fill vacancy of Jose Lizarraga. Council decided the budget needed more discussion. Aug. 11- Quartzsite Police Chief Jeff Gilbert released a letter to Oath Keep- ers, Greater Phoenix Tea Party, and Sons of Liberty, "I did not call the Oath Keepers, the Tea Party, the Sons of Lib- Food Handlers Classes La Paz County Health Department holds food handlers classes in Quartzsite all year round. All classes are at the Quartzsite Senior Center, located at 40 Moon Mountain. CLASSES PLANNED FOR SEPT., OCT. & NOV. : Wednesday, Sept. 21st @ 10:00 am and 2:00 pm Wednesday, Oct. 12th @ 10:00 am and 2:00 pm Wednesday, Nov. 16th @ 10:00 am and 2:00 pm THE FOLLOWING CLASSES ARE PLANNED FOR DECEMBER AND JANUARY : Wednesdays, Dec. 7th, 14th, 21st @ 9:00am and 10:30 am Fridays, Wednesdays, January 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th @ 9:00am and 10:30am Fridays, Dec. 2nd, 9th, 16th, & 30th @ 9:00am & 10:30 am Jan. 6th, 13th, 20th 27th @ 9:00am and 10:30 am READER'S OASIS BOOKS 690 E. Main - Quartzsite (one block east of Family Dollar) 928-927-6551 erty Riders or other groups "terrorist". I am sure that most of the followers of these groups are civil law abiding citi- zens who would not participate in this type of activity or condone it." Aug. 15- A hearing held in La Paz County Superior Court in Parker as to whether a temporary restraining order against the Town of Quartzsite should remain in place ended abruptly when Judge Randolph Bartlett announced the defendants had decided to remove the case from state courts and take it to federal court. Bartlett ruled that the restraining order barring the town from firing 10 police department em- ployees should remain in place until the town files the case in Federal Dis- trict Court. Seven of the "Quartzsite 10" were in court. Aug. 17 – Work session on the fiscal budget for 2011-2012. Discussion only. Aug. 17- AZ State's Ombudsman Re- port released stating "We substanti- ated [Foster's] allegation and found that the Town wrongfully denied your public records request. We recom- mend that the Town release the appro- priately redacted records, but they did not agree. We have no legal authority to order the Town to comply with our Page 11 recommendation." The Ombudsman's office recommended the Town release appropriately redacted copies of the paychecks and vouchers or provide a list of employee names, gross pay, and net pay for the periods Foster requested. Foster had requested copies of pay- checks and vouchers for pay periods ending Jan. 23, 2010, Aug. 21, 2010 and Sept. 18, 2010. The Town argued that discrepancies in net pay between two employees with the same gross sal- ary would invite speculation into the private lives of the employees. They also argued that net pay is not a reflec- tion of actual town expenditures. "The Attorney General has clearly conclud- ed that the public benefit to disclosing pay vouchers outweighs any invasion of privacy," the report states. The re- port also recommended town staff re- ceive public records training. Aug. 23- Council meeting when the council made some serious changes to town codes. The 2011-2012 Budget was approved. Approved Ordinance 11-10 relating to duties, responsibilities and authority of council and mayor. SEE QUARTZSITE ON PAGE 15 Come Visit our Salvation Army 101 S. Moon Mountain Ave. New Mini Store for the We are now accepting donations and doing our charity work from our new location. Our new mini store is now open while we wait for the construction of our brand new building. NEW HOURS: Mon-Sat. 8-11am We still need and are accepting your donations so we may continue to help our local people. For more information, contact Salvation Army at 928-927-3636.

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