



Last week a chilling video was posted on youtube. It shows a woman being hauled off to jail at a city council meeting in Quarzsite AZ.,(http://www.ci.quartzsite.az.us/) a small desert community of just over 3,000 people. The incident occurred on June 28th of this year.

That woman was Jennifer “jade” Jones, a Quartzsite resident and business owner, as well as a candidate for city council. In the video, we see Mayor Ed Foster recognize Mrs. Jones and give her the floor. She steps to the microphone and begins to speak. While this is happening, town manager Alex Taft, and city council member, Joe “Shotgun” Winslow, illegally bring a motion before the council, while Ms Jones has the floor. A motion that Ms. Jones must stop talking.

The other council members, equally unhindered by the rule of law, vote yes, and Mr. Winslow orders his associate; police chief Jeff Gilbert, to remove Mrs. Jones. The entire time Mayor Ed Foster desperately tries to regain control of the meeting. He begs the town officials to follow even the simplest of laws that we all take for granted. But, he is completely ignored, Mrs. Jones is forcibly removed and arrested.

According to her own website, http://thedesertfreedompress.blogspot.com/Jones was cited for “disorderly conduct”, then taken to the hospital, where she was treated for injuries sustained during her arrest. She is currently free on her own recognizance. Mayor Foster contacted the Arizona DPS and filed disorderly conduct charges against Police Chief Jeff Gilbert, Sgt. Fabiola Garcia and Officer Rick Patterson for disrupting the meeting

I spoke to Mrs. Jones recently, and asked about her arrest and what, exactly, is going on in Quartzsite. Here is what she had to say.

According to Mrs. Jones, a state body known as the League of Arizona Cities and Towns issued a recommendation to raise the so-called “privilege” tax on contractors doing business in the city, by 3.5%. The city council of Quartzsite is attempting to institute this recommendation by calling it a state mandate, and make it retroactive to 2008, rather than bringing it to a vote. This is what Jones was speaking out against, and that is why the council members could not allow here to continue.

Mrs. Jones pointed out that this would drive most businesses, including her own, out of town. It is her contention that the council members must realize this, and perhaps intend to personally buy up whatever is left behind. I’m now tempted to include a clip from Blazing Saddles.

On the other hand the town is also desperate to balance its budget, as it is being investigated by the state for widespread misappropriation of funds. In fact, there are multiple ongoing criminal investigations of town officials in Quartzsite.

Starting with the mysterious police chief, Jeff Gilbert. There is no current investigation as to why requests to release a copy of his resume to the public, have been denied by the town council. However, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the state police, is currently investigating him. Ten officers in his dept (that’s 80% of the force), “the Quartzite 10” as they are called in town, have come forward with numerous charges of criminal activity by the chief. Not the least of which include, illegally using the federal NCIC criminal database to harass literally hundreds of local citizens. Each instance of witch is a felony, and calls for up to a year in jail. In addition to: assault, illegal searches and arrests, surveillance and investigation of political opponents, “official police business” being conducted without reports filed, false reporting, and grant fraud.

Before the state police got involved. When the allegations were made to the town council. Town manager “Alex” Taft responded by hiring a private investigator to determine the cause of the low moral on the police force. When a vote to suspend the chief while the state investigated him was scheduled, council members refused to attend. There was no vote.

And at a separate council meeting, while azcop VP John Stair, the police union official representing the Quartzsite 10 was speaking, town official Barbara Bowman allegedly shoved local journalist, and Republican Precinct Committee Chair, Michael Roth. Former mayor Steve Bennett is then said to have grabbed Roth by the back of his T-shirt, as another man came to Roth’s defense. At which time, Roth was arrested

. (Mrs. Jones has promised to make available, video of this incident soon). In the mean time here is a tasty little video of chief Gilberts wife, after the meeting. courtesy of http://quartzsitearizona.blogspot.com/

Meanwhile, countless allegations of abuse and misconduct by chief Gilbert, made to La Paz county sheriff Don Lowery, have never been investigated. This may have to do with the close relationship between chief Gilbert and sheriff Lowery who formerly served together as lawmen for the Colorado River Indian Tribe. A sovereign Indian reservation near Quartzsite, on the boarder with California. According to Jones, neither man is a tribal member, just two of many men hired by the tribe for law enforcement. Jones also says the tribe refuses to discuss chief Gilbert’s time with them.

Also not currently under investigation is the curious fact that, since announcing her bid to run for city council last year, Mrs Jones has been arrested by chief Gilbert four times and received twenty-four misdemeanor citations. Yet the courts have taken no actions against her for any alleged violations.

Town manger Alexandra Taft AKA Alex Taft is also under investigation. This time by the Arizona State Ombudsman. Why? According to published town records, the city cuts more payroll checks than it has employees. To the tune of $200,000, says mayor Foster. When asked by the mayor to review the books the town manager refused to comply. Additionally the town council not only supported this refusal but also censured the mayor for his request. And although the state is now asking, Alex Taft continues to refuse. This matter is still unresolved at this time. However, the alleged person or persons responsible for this alleged malfeasance would have to be very appreciative of Alex Taft’s conduct. Based on her own observations of town politics, Ms. Jones suspects the powerful town manager may be one of the guiding forces behind the cartel of corruption that grips this town.

Other questions swirling around this Taft individual, concern allegations of misuse and miss appropriation of state local and privately donated funds to numerous charities and groups run by Mr s. Taft. Including donations to her charity will power inc. to build a public pool that never came to be built. City funds for her “alleged” no kill animal shelter, paw power, which is housed on city property. As well as the so-called Arizona Community Tree Council. A non-profit state supported group whose board of directors is headed by…..Alex Taft

As for beleaguered first term mayor, Ed Foster, his single-minded dedication to justice and civic fairness, against an unyielding tide of corruption and obstruction, qualifies him as one of our country’s last true patriots. As a candidate for mayor he was threatened with arrest at times and arrested at others. As mayor in addition to being censured for his inquiries into the secrets of the town budget, he was actually arrested at yet another kangaroo council meeting. It would seem that if chief Gilbert could come up with charges that actually stick, the mayor and half the town would be doing life in prison for serial peace disturbance. All of this on top of the fact that before he was sworn in, the city council voted to strip the office of mayor of most of it’s duties and powers. Many in town speculate that the only way the mayor was elected in the first place is because the town bosses underestimated his popularity. And therefore did not think it was necessary for them to rig that particular election.

As of this time La Paz County Prosecutor Sam Vederman, as well as the office of the Arizona State Attorney General have told mayor Foster that his numerous complaints about town corruption do not fall under their respective jurisdictions.

Quartzsite Arizona is an extreme example of what happens in small towns AND national governments everywhere. Where common citizens must live under the constant tyranny of a few influential and criminal officials. Much like slaves, with no hope of ever finding justice. It is shockingly easy for a few like-minded enemies of liberty to do. But, it is just as easy, thanks to the as yet still free internet, to rapidly expose them to the world.

Under the pressure of millions of eyes they suddenly have no place to hide. And with the pressure of widespread public scrutiny , those who once ignored the people’s complaints find that in order to keep their jobs, they now must act to prosecute the guilty. In this you can help the people of Quartzsite, by letting all those involved know that you know what they are doing, and explain to them what you think about it.

For more information. And to help support Mrs. Jones, mayor Foster, and the Quartzite 10, you can contact,

jennifer “Jade” Jones Publisher, The DESERT FREEDOM PRESS (928) 575-6594

http://[email protected]