Monthly Archives: September 2014

Glen’s Political Corollary to Murphy’s Law

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©1998 by Glen C. Davis
Elections
1. What a candidate tells you they won’t, they will. And vice-versa.
2. Representatives don’t.
3. The amount of effort that a candidate puts into explaining why a project or legislation is not needed is equal to the amount of effort that a candidate will put into getting that project or legislation through.

  • Just enough of Congress will vote against an unpopular legislation to ensure its passage.*

4. The newly elected arriving in Washington have only a few days to forget where they come from.

  • Exception: Election year.*

5. Whenever government officials are unsure of a next step, a new tax will be added.

  • Whenever there is nothing going on in Washington, a new tax will be added.
  • Taxes is power.

6. Whenever Congress is ready for recess, a pay raise will be voted in.

  • Just enough of Congress will vote against a pay raise to ensure it’s passage.
  • Whenever a new tax or pay raise is voted down, a breakdown in communications has occured.
  • When recess is called, an immediate tax-payer paid fact finding mission to the Bahamas must be called.
  • The politician you do not like is the one responsible for raising the debt ceiling.*

7. When all else fails, pass a law or raise a tax.
8. Polls run the government.

  • Politically correct is a term that applies to whatever polls indicate.
  • No one in the south-west will be allowed to participate in polls.

9. Tough new anti-criminal laws apply to everywhere in the nation except Washington D.C.
10. Any Congress person attempting to get useful legislation passed will be expected to support at least thirty useless legislations.
11. The amount Congress complains about big government is directly proportional to the amount of bureaucracies they will create.
12. Legislation is not for the benefit of constituents.

  • Truth has no place in legislation.

13. People don’t vote. Political Action Committees do.
14. A Congressperson who is unpopular in Washington or popular at home is afraid to fly.
15. Rules for media

  • It’s not who knows, but how many know.
  • Any devastating issue is a complex issue which the public can’t possibly understand and thus must be covered up (ie. Campaign contributions, Monica Lewinsky)
  • Standard answer: “Right-wing Conspiracy.”
  • To avoid offending favorite politician, report on singing puppies.*

* Update.

Suspicious Activity Involving a Child

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies are requesting assistance in identifying and locating a Native American female who offered a nine year-old child a ride as the child exited a school bus at the bus stop in her neighborhood. It is believed the driver of a maroon or red older SUV possibly a Chevrolet Tahoe followed the child to her home and attempted to make contact with occupants inside the house.

On Friday, September 12, 2014 at about 1:22 pm a Sheriff’s Dispatcher received a call of a trespass in progress with a child inside the home and an adult Native American female attempting to get inside. A deputy was met with the girl and her father at their Doney Park residence.

According to the child she exited the school bus at the stop located at the intersection of Townsend Winona Road and Bluefield Road. She noticed a red SUV parked by the exit door of the bus. As she walked by the vehicle a Native American woman in the driver’s seat asked the child if she wanted a ride home to which she replied no.

As the child proceeded to walk home she noticed that the red SUV was following her. The child then dropped her water bottle and ran home crossing several residential yards in the process. Once at her home the child saw the SUV drive up in front of her house and stop.

According to the child the woman exited her vehicle, approached the front door and knocked on it. The woman asked in a voice loud enough for the child to hear if anyone was at home. The child was so frightened by the woman’s actions that she hid in a room located within the home. Eventually the woman left the area.

The suspect is described as a heavyset adult Native American female. The vehicle is described as a red or maroon SUV, possibly an older model and possibly a Chevrolet Tahoe. Anyone with information regarding this incident or with information regarding the identity of the Native American female is asked to call the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 774-4523 or toll free at 1-800-338-7888 or Silent Witness at (928)774-6111.

New specialty license plates now available

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new-vanity-platePHOENIX – Three new specialty license plates to help personalize and customize your vehicle are now available for purchase from the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division.

The new plates include a Girls Youth Organization plate to support the Girl Scouts; an Arizona Motorsports Commemorative plate for Phoenix International Raceway; and a redesigned Phoenix Suns plate.

Like many of Arizona’s specialty license plates, these three support specific charities. Funds raised by the Girls Youth Organization license plate will provide enriching experiences in Arizona’s Girl Scouts program, such as extraordinary field trips, sports skill-building clinics, community service projects and cultural exchanges.

“We are thrilled to have a Girl Scout license plate. It’s a great way for parents and alumnae to show their support and $17 of the proceeds goes directly back to local Girl Scouts. Each license plate is actually an investment in Arizona girls and our future,” said Tamara Woodbury, CEO of Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council.

Funds raised by the Phoenix International Raceway license plate will go to Motorsports Charities to provide resources and charitable support for children through education, medical treatment, dream experiences and volunteerism.

“We are thrilled to be able to help race fans show their NASCAR pride with this license plate and to support a great cause in the process,” said PIR President Bryan R. Sperber. “The idea for a custom plate was spurred by fan requests, so we are proud to make this available to them. The plates also create a wonderful legacy from our 50th Anniversary that will last well beyond this year.”

The redesigned Phoenix Suns plate will continue to support Phoenix Suns Charities for youth education and development, college scholarship programs and community development.

The license plates have an annual fee of $25 for a non-personalized plate and $50 for a personalized plate, with $17 going to support the charities. Vehicle owners can purchase the new plates at any MVD or Authorized Third Party office location or online at ServiceArizona.com.

Because the Phoenix Suns license plate is a new design, anyone with the current plate design can request the new plate design for a $5 replacement fee. However, the redesigned plate has six characters instead of the seven that are on the current Suns plate. So those with a personalized Suns plate with seven characters would not be able to transfer their personalization to the new design. They can reapply for the new design, but would have to start the application process from the beginning.

The older, original Phoenix Suns license plate design is still valid for use.

There are no special requirements to get the license plates. The plates are also available with a disability symbol.

Forest Service Officer Involved Shooting Update

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CLINT WELLS, AZ – The Forest Service Officer involved shooting that occurred on Friday, September 19, 2014 in the Blue ridge area which resulted in the death of the individual who attacked the officer is ongoing.

The deceased man has been identified as sixty-six year old Courtney James VanRiper—also spelled Van Ripper—with a last known address in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It is also believed that at some point Mr. VanRiper resided in an unknown city or town in Wyoming. Coconino County Sheriff’s detectives have not been able to identify or contact any of his next of kin. Mr. VanRiper’s name is being released at this point in the investigation with the hope that someone who knows him can assist investigators in identifying and contacting his family members.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is conducting the external portion of this investigation. The Forest Service Officer who conducted the contact with Mr. VanRiper has been identified as thirty-four year old Douglas A. Pederson. Officer Pederson has been employed with the Forest for 15 years in several capacities. Douglas Pederson has been a United States Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer for 2 years.

On Friday, September 19, 2014 at 1:46 pm Officer Pederson contacted a Sheriff’s Office dispatcher by radio to advise he was contacting an individual who was camping in the area of the junction of Highway 260 and State Route 87 off of Forest Service road 616. It should be noted that the Sheriff’s Office provides dispatch and radio communication services to Forest Service Officers who work within Coconino County. During subsequent transmissions Officer Pederson advised dispatch that shots had been fired, requested emergency medical services immediately and gave his location.

Emergency medical personnel of the Pine/Strawberry Fire Department treated Mr. VanRiper at the scene and transported him to the Payson Regional Medical Center. Mr. VanRiper was pronounced deceased on Friday, September 19, 2014. Officers with the United States Forest Service, the Arizona Department of Public Safety and agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigations also responded to the location of the shooting.

At this point in the investigation detectives have learned that Officer Pederson observed a vehicle parked in an unimproved area of the forest at a temporary campsite. According to the officer he approached the camp and made contact with Mr. VanRiper. According to Officer Pederson Mr. VanRiper had the DVD player in the vehicle on so loud that communication was difficult. The officer asked him to turn the DVD player down.

While in the vehicle Mr. VanRiper spent a considerable amount of time sorting through items and the officer told him several times to come out of the vehicle. Once Mr. VanRiper exited his vehicle he had a large can of bear repellant/pepper spray which he used to spray at the officer striking him in his face.

Officer Pederson who was partially incapacitated and with impaired vision fired multiple rounds at the suspect striking VanRiper twice. Officer Pederson administered first aid to Mr. VanRiper until he was relieved by emergency medical personnel.

Detectives learned that Mr. VanRiper was the subject of an outstanding felony warrant for probation violation issued out of the Yavapai County Superior Court. The vehicle Mr. VanRiper was in possession of was reported as stolen out of Flagstaff, Arizona. Mr. VanRiper was also in possession of a stolen handgun.

Health Fair and Open House this weekend at clinic

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250nchc-logo-3WILLIAMS – The North Country Health Care clinic will be holding a Health Fair and Open House this Saturday the 27th from 8 am to 12 pm. The clinic is located at 301 S. 7th Street. For full information you can call 928-635-4441.

Services at the Health Fair include:

  • Cholesterol Screening for the First 125 Visitors
    (please do not eat or drink anything other than water 10 hours prior to test)
  • Blood Pressure Checks
  • Blood Glucose Screening
  • Rapid HIV Testing
  • Oxygen Saturation Measurements
  • Mammograms by Assured Imaging
    call for an appointment: 1-888-233-6121
  • FIT at Fifty and Well Woman Health Check Programs
  • Maternal and Child Health Program
  • Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program
  • Prescription Drug Take Back Program
  • Health Insurance Enrollment Assistance 8: Info
    (Marketplace & AHCCCS)
  • Raffle Prizes and Much More!

Happy Constitution Day

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“If the day should ever arrive, (which God forbid!), when the people of the different parts of our country shall allow their local affairs to be administered by prefects sent from Washington, and when the self-government of the states shall have been so far lost as that of the departments of France, or even so far as that of the counties of England–on that day the progressive political career of the American people will have come to an end, and the hopes that have been built upon it for the future happiness and prosperity of mankind will be wrecked forever.” – John Fiske, historian, quoted in “Our Changing Constitution” by Charles W. Pierson, Doubleday, Page & Company, 1922.

September 17 is designated each year as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day by 36 United States Code §106 (PDF). This day is meant to commemorate the signing of the Constitution. It is also meant to recognize those who, by coming of age or NATURALIZATION (in contrast to amnesty) have become citizens of these States united.

This is not to be confused with Bill of Rights day, which is December 15, nor the ratification of the Constitution. This is the day the Constitution was signed by the representatives at the Constitutional Convention. It was not ratified until 1789 and not by all thirteen colonies. The Bill of Rights would not be added until two-years after that.

According to the law cited,

The civil and educational authorities of States, counties, cities, and towns are urged to make plans for the proper observance of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day and for the complete instruction of citizens in their responsibilities and opportunities as citizens of the United States and of the State and locality in which they reside.

Across the country schools will, no doubt, be having students color pictures of the Constitution brown without reading at it. No sense having a discussion on the condition of the colonies at the time (sometimes called history) or the words of the founding fathers.

So it will be up to you to actually study the Constitution on your own. Here are some recommendations.
Continue reading →

Bridge rehabilitation project starting on I-40 in Holbrook

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HOLBROOK – A bridge rehabilitation project will be starting Monday, Sept. 22 at the east Navajo Blvd. interchange on Interstate 40 in Holbrook.

The majority of this project will require crews to work underneath the bridge and there will be very little impact to traffic traveling on I-40.

There is one phase of the work which will require a lane closure on the westbound side of the bridge where crews will be working on the deck. During that time there will be lane closures and speed reductions for westbound traffic only. There will also be one day when work will necessitate the closure of the eastbound on and off ramps at the interchange. A message board will be used to give advance notice to motorists when that time is planned.

Work hours will be from sunrise to sunset Monday through Friday. The project is scheduled to be completed by late this year.

ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel

ADOT to ensure roadway safety as another storm moves into state

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640-140915-17PHOENIX – Following last week’s record rainfall in the Phoenix metropolitan area, the Arizona Department of Transportation is preparing for another tropical storm this week that is expected to bring more heavy rain and possible localized flooding to several regions of the state.

The National Weather Service is forecasting significant moisture in the state this week as a result of Hurricane Odile, which is making its way north into the Baja California, Mexico region.

Maintenance crews in the Phoenix and Tucson areas and statewide will be prepared to address road safety issues if flooding, mudslides or rockslides occur. Crews will be monitoring weather conditions and be ready to respond quickly to clear the roads and maintain safe driving conditions for motorists when Mother Nature wreaks havoc on our state.

ADOT is also working in close coordination with cities and the Department of Public Safety to be as prepared as possible when heavy rain is in the forecast.

“Our goal has been – and will continue to be – to focus on public safety and protecting our community members,” said ADOT Director John Halikowski. “ADOT will strive to ensure that all people, systems and equipment are operating efficiently to accomplish this goal.”

ADOT is also asking drivers to slow down on wet pavement and to avoid driving into areas if flooding occurs. No motorist should ever drive through a flooded wash.

It’s important that drivers take it slow and drive safely in heavy rain and low visibility conditions. ADOT, along with the Department of Public Safety, offer the following safety tips for motorists:

  • First and foremost, SLOW DOWN. The posted speed limit may not be a safe speed to travel in bad weather. On wet roads your vehicle will have less traction than on a dry road. Slower travel speeds allow for safer stopping distances.
  • Be sure to leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you and be aware of the vehicles around you in other travel lanes. Braking will be affected by wet and slippery roadway surfaces.
  • Do not enter an area where the roadway has been closed by barricades due to flooding. You risk your life and face being cited under the state’s “Stupid Motorist” law.
  • Storm runoff can loosen boulders and rocks on slopes above highways. Stay alert in rockfall-prone areas.
  • Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control or possible stalling. One to two feet of water will float most vehicles and can cause them to be swept away.
  • If traffic lights are out, treat an intersection just like a four-way stop.

Arizona Republicans chide Kirkpatrick for flying Mexican flag

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ELOY – The Arizona GOP reported that the Ann Kirkpatrick flew a Mexican flag on her float at a parade in Eloy on September 13. Her tweet did not feature the flag prominently, but the Republicans added a photo showing the float with the flag.
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According to the Eloy Enterprise, the parade was part of a celebration called sponsored by a group called Corazon De Latinos Unidos which translates to Latino Heart of America.

According to the article:

Las Fiestas Patrias is an important festival celebrated throughout Mexico and Latino communities in the U.S., marking Mexico’s Independence Day. Las Fiestas Patrias, meaning “homeland celebration…”

It does seem inconsistent that while Kirkpatrick seems proud to wave the Mexican flag, she is not proud enough to tweet the fact. The homeland they are celebrating seems apparent with the absence of American flags.

The Maricopa County Republicans report that the Mayor of Eloy, Joe Nagy, has endorsed Andy Tobin to represent Congressional District 1.