Monthly Archives: August 2014

Delays on US 89 north of Cameron as paving continues

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adot-logo-03aThe Arizona Department of Transportation is currently paving an eight-mile section of US 89 near US 160, between mileposts 477 and 485, about 15 miles north of Cameron.

Drivers can expect heavy delays during the paving operation, which must take place during the day because the asphalt must be applied within in certain temperature range that cannot be reached overnight.

Flaggers will guide vehicles through the construction zone during work hours. Paving takes place from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily Wednesday, Aug. 6 and Thursday, Aug. 7 this week and Monday, Aug. 11 and Tuesday, Aug. 12 next week. During work hours, delays could range between 45 minutes to one hour.

PJ’s Pajama Party

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Phoenix Suns player P.J. Tucker - Photo from FOX videoOPINION by Glen Davis

PHOENIX – Finally. Arizona is complying with the Eighth Amendment. Sort of.

You might recall last month when Arizona executed Joseph Wood while he slept. This has apparently had a significant impact on Arizona jurisprudence.

PJ Tucker will not have to spend time in icky old tent city in Phoenix for his extreme DUI conviction. He’s been sentenced to three days in Kawliforna.

While being sentenced to spend time in California might be a violation of the Eighth Amendment, he will have to spend his time in sunny, California in an air conditioned cell separated from the other icky inmates. And he will have to pay a whole $200 a day to do it!

In addition he will be grounded for eleven days when he returns home and have to have an ignition interlock device installed.

You or I would probably be held to the standard of Arizona Revised Statute 29-1382, Section D. 2:

A person who is convicted of a violation of subsection A, paragraph 2 of this section [Blood alcohol content of more than 0.20] shall be sentenced to serve not less than forty-five consecutive days in jail and is not eligible for probation or suspension of execution of sentence unless the entire sentence is served.

There are possible extenuating circumstances surrounding any case of which we may be unaware. Maybe his apology had something to do with it. If you are ever arrested for extreme DUI, do not forget to apologize.

The lesson here is DO NOT drink and drive. Unless you have a significant bank account.

To be fair to Mr. Tucker, he may have been actually remorseful and may never do it again. Only time will tell.

Deputy County Attorney receives Prosecutor of the Year Award

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FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Attorney’s Office is pleased to announce that one its felony prosecutors has received statewide recognition.

Deputy County Attorney Ammon Barker was awarded Prosecutor of the Year for Rural Counties by the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys’ Advisory Council on July 31st at the annual conference in Tucson. Barker competed against numerous other worthy candidates from other County Attorney Offices, but prevailed as a result of his exceptional year in obtaining jury verdicts in several major criminal cases.

“Ammon had a stellar year in the courtroom and we are very proud of him”, said County Attorney David Rozema.

Barker arrived in Coconino County less than four years ago through the office’s recruitment program with dreams of trying the most violent offenders. During the last year, his dream became reality, as he successfully tried a first degree murder, two machete attack cases and a domestic violence murder. The first degree murder conviction was based largely on a tire print taken from the scene and other scene reconstruction. The other cases presented challenges as well, including evidentiary difficulties and hostile witnesses.

Additional APAAC award recipients from the County Attorney’s Office include Chief Deputy County Attorney Michael Lessler, who received the Prosecutor Lifetime Achievement award in 2006, and former Senior Trial Attorney Jonathan Mosher, who received the Prosecutor of the Year award in 2011.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Conducts OUI Checkpoint at Lake Powell

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boatPAGE – On Saturday, August 9th 2014 law enforcement agencies in Northern Coconino County will be conducting an Operating Under the Influence (OUI) and boating safety checkpoint at Lake Powell from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. In an effort to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol and drug involved boat collisions, OUI checkpoints are conducted to identify offenders and get them off the waterways as well as to inform and educate the public of the dangers of impaired boating.

OUI checkpoints are a proven-effective method for achieving this goal. By publicizing these enforcement and education efforts, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office believes boaters can be deterred from operating watercraft while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In addition, members of the boating community are encouraged to ensure their vessels are properly outfitted with required safety equipment to ensure a safe voyage.

Traffic volume and weather permitting, all vessels may be checked for safety equipment and operators who are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs will be arrested. Our objective is to send a clear message to those who are considering operating a watercraft after consuming alcohol or drugs-Boat Safe, Boat Smart, Boat Sober! Deputies of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office will partner with Officers of the Arizona Game and Fish Department, National Park Service, Arizona Department of Public Safety, and the Page Police Department. It is our desire that this two pronged approach of public awareness/education and strict enforcement will allow boating enthusiasts to have an enjoyable and safe recreational experience in Coconino County.

Safe boating recreation is a must, and everyone should take a minute and remember to check your boats, personal watercraft and all equipment before launching at your favorite lake or waterway. Make sure you have all required safety equipment, such as proper fitting life jackets and working fire extinguishers.

Early ballots mail for the Primary Election

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300px-to-polls-az2PHOENIX – Early ballots for the Primary Election have been mailed for voters affiliated with a recognized political parties. More than 1 million early ballots will mail statewide. Recognized political parties include Republican, Democrat, Libertarian or American’s Elect.

“Independent voters make up the largest group of voters in Arizona; and it is important for them to know they can vote in the Primary Election,” said Secretary of State Ken Bennett. “Both independent and partisan voters have the choice of voting by mail or at the poll on Election Day, August 26.”

To vote by mail, whether a partisan or independent voter, contact the County Recorder for the county of legal residence and request an early partisan ballot. If voting at an early voting location, an independent voter may make his or her party ballot selection at the poll. For early voting locations and availability, contact the County Recorder’s office.

The last day to request an early ballot for the Primary Election is August 15, 2014. Vote, sign, seal, and send the primary ballot no later than August 22, 2014. If you vote by mail, do not vote again in person. Also, for security reasons, only give your ballot to your postal worker. Should you miss the mailing deadline, you may drop your ballot at an early voting location or with your County Recorder. For locations and availability, contact the County Recorder’s office.

“If you wouldn’t trust a person with your money,” said Secretary Bennett, “I recommend not trusting him or her with your ballot.”

For those voters voting on Election Day, August 26, make sure you know your correct polling location, as voting locations may change from election to election. To know before you go, go online to www.azsos.gov, and click on the Voter View icon or call 1-877-THE VOTE or in the Phoenix Metro Area (602) 542-8683. The Voter View portion of the website is compatible with smartphones and tablets.

A most stunning admission

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An unfortunate video taken on July 28 and posted to YouTube August 3, 2013 displays a stunning admission by a future-former Border Patrol agent. It is unfortunate because the poster did not bother to cover the face of the agent whose statement shows the frustration of many in that service who are being paid to not do their job.

Arrest in Page for Trespass on Houseboat

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PAGE – On August 3, 2014 the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a report of trespassers on a houseboat in Antelope Point Marina on Lake Powell. Antelope Point Security Staff reported over 12 people on a docked houseboat who appeared to be using the 65 foot privately owned vessel for illegal activity.

National Park Service Rangers and a Coconino County Deputy responded and identified several subjects on the houseboat and were able to determine that no permission was given for them to be there.

A 38 year old male subject from Page was arrested for trespassing and booked into the Coconino County Jail Page Facility as a result of the investigation.

The investigation into the incident is currently under investigation by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office.

Man Arrested on Four Counts of Sexual Conduct with a Minor

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Sheriff’s Detectives arrested a 69 year-old man of Doney Park on four counts of Sexual Conduct with a Minor involving his granddaughter.

On Thursday, July 31, 2014 a Doney Park resident walked into the Sheriff’s Office to turn himself in for engaging in sexual conduct between the years 2006-2011 with his then eight year old granddaughter.

During a subsequent interview with Detectives the suspect made statements implicating himself in the crime of continual sexual conduct with a minor. The suspect was arrested on four counts of sexual conduct with a minor and was booked into to the Coconino County Detention Facility located in Flagstaff.

The suspect’s name and booking photo are being withheld in an effort to protect the victim’s identity.

Arguments ‘For’ and ‘Against’ Coconino County Ballot Tax Question Sought for November 4, 2014 Election

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FLAGSTAFF – On November 4, 2014, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors will hold an election asking the voters of Coconino County to vote on a ballot question that would authorize a County Sales (Transaction Privilege) Tax for maintaining and preserving the conditions of Coconino County maintained roads.

Specifically, voters will be asked:

Shall Coconino County be authorized to levy and collect a three-tenths of a cent ($0.003) sales tax, for a period of twenty (20) years, beginning January 1, 2015, to fund the maintenance and preservation of roads maintained by Coconino County and fund those costs related to, but not limited to, snowplowing, dirt road grading, road surface chip sealing, road maintenance and other road-related expenses?

The proposed three-tenths of a cent ($0.003) sales tax is equal to thirty cents on each one hundred dollars of taxable sales within Coconino County.

Coconino County will prepare an informational pamphlet for the election. The pamphlet will be mailed to all households of registered voters in the county. Arguments “For” and “Against” the ballot question are being requested by the County for inclusion in the informational pamphlet.

Anyone who would like to submit a “For” or “Against” statement regarding the election can mail or hand deliver their statement to Coconino County Elections, 110 E Cherry Ave, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001.

The statement may not exceed 300 words and must include the original signature of the submitting party. If the argument is sponsored by an organization, it must be signed by two of the organization’s executive officers. If the argument is submitted by a political committee, it must be signed by the committee’s chairman or treasurer. The person(s) signing the argument must provide their mailing address and phone number (this information will not be printed in the pamphlet).

The cost to file an argument is $100 per argument filed on paper. If the argument is submitted electronically (on a cd or USB drive), the cost is $75 but, in order to meet the requirement for an original signature, it must be accompanied by a paper copy.

Arguments must be received by 5 p.m., August 11, 2014 in the Coconino County Elections Office at 110 E Cherry Ave., Flagstaff, AZ 86001.

For more information regarding the statements, call 928-679-7860
.

Northern Arizona Gazette predicts winners in city council race

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Mayor John Moore may be re-elected

Mayor John Moore may be re-elected

WILLIAMS – Using the latest polling and scientific methods, the Northern Arizona Gazette feels confident in predicting the outcome of the city council race in the City of Williams.

With the results of the early balloting not yet in, we believe that Don Dent, Lee Payne and even Bernie Hiemenz will retain their council seats.

It also appears that Mayor John Moore should receive a majority of the votes provided no dogs, horses or other animals or livestock are written in.

On a serious note, Proposition 402 appears to be not consistent with Arizona voting practice. In the past, courts have stopped Propositions which asks voters to approve two different items in one proposal.

This Proposition calls for voters to approve the extension of the alternative expenditure limitation, or the so-called Home Rule. Otherwise the city would have to comply with the expenditure limits imposed by the State of Arizona. This proposal would allow Home Rule in Williams through 2019.

It also allows the candidates for office to be declared the winners in the primary election without having to appear on the ballot for the General Election on November 4. This would prevent any person desiring to be a write-in candidate for the General Election from running.