KINGMAN - A Golden Valley man looking for an apology from county officials may take it to the next level. Luca Zanna has pulled papers to recall Board of Supervisors Chairman Tom Sockwell.
"This is a last resort. All I want is a public apology from Mr. Sockwell and the other supervisors and for the county to admit that their policy (prohibiting the public from passing out political information on county property) is wrong," Zanna said.
Sockwell was ill Wednesday and Thursday and unavailable for comment.
Zanna is particularly upset about a letter to the editor that Sockwell wrote that was published in the Jan. 21 Miner. In the letter, Sockwell recalls some of the silliness of the political activism of the 1970s. He also refers to the Mohave County Minutemen and their efforts to stop illegal immigration, asking if the group wants to stop every person with dark hair who doesn't speak English well. Zanna is a member of the Minutemen.
Zanna called the letter libelous.
"It was really out of line," Zanna said. "It was a personal attack on me and my wife. We are not hippies or racists."
Sockwell's letter also states that he met with Zanna on Nov. 3.
"How could he meet with me before the event, about what happened at the event?" Zanna asked.
On Nov. 13, Zanna was asked to stop handing out papers with Sen. John McCain's voting record during the senator's town hall at the County Administration Building. County officials pointed him toward an Arizona Revised Statute that prevents county officials and employees from using county supplies, equipment or their offices to influence elections.
The county has extended the statute to include the public in order to prevent any appearance of political activity on county property and to allow residents to enter and leave county buildings without being asked to sign petitions or listen to political speeches, County Attorney Bill Ekstrom said last month.
Zanna feels this policy infringes on the public's right to free speech.
Dan Barr, from Perkins Coie in Phoenix, an attorney who works with the Arizona Newspaper Association, didn't see anything in the language of the statute that would prevent someone from the public from passing out information on county property, as long as the person was not being disruptive.
Unless he gets an apology, Zanna said he will start seeking petition signatures for the recall. In order to put the recall on the ballot, Zanna would have to collect more than 3,700 signatures. He has 120 days to circulate and then return the signatures to the County Elections Department for verification. The Elections Department has 10 days to review the petitions before sending them to the Voter Registration Office. That office has 60 days to check the signatures and then return the petitions to the Elections Department to be placed on the ballot.
Zanna is considering starting a group, Mohave County Citizens for Constitutional Rights, that would work to restore civil rights in the county and bring more transparency to county government, he said.
Zanna is also planning to file a complaint with the Arizona Attorney General's Office. He would rather not waste taxpayer dollars by filing a civil lawsuit, but is prepared to do so if necessary, he said.
"I'm trying to give them every chance I can," he said. "But sometimes you have to put your head down and fight."
Posted: Thursday, March 25, 2010
Article comment by:
George Washington
To No Name Provided. Where did you get the idea that Luca Zanna was on governement assistance? His songs and poetry are paid for, as you say. Do you know what ELSE he does for a living? If not, I would not assume he is on government assistance if I were you. I think he can dispute that easily. I happen to know him and I know he is WAY beyond having to receive help from the government! I would watch your mouth if I were you and get your facts straight before you open it.
Posted: Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Article comment by:
We Can Recall Sockwell
Folks, the recall is really charged up, we are raising money and getting signatures! This county has been under the corrupt thumbs of this BOS for too long, and they have gone too far. We can now remove Sockwell from office. Help us do this. Please go to RecallSockwell.com to help! We meet every week, we need your help, be part of history to clean up this county! RecallSockwell.com for info!
Posted: Monday, March 22, 2010
Article comment by:
RWR Would be proud
Pack your bags Tom, your going into retirement and soon! Gary and Buster will be right behind you.
Posted: Monday, March 22, 2010
Article comment by:
Please Step Up and Help with www.RecallSockwell.com
To help with RecallSockwell go to www.RecallStockwell.com or email MohaveFreedom@Yahoo.com. We are getting stronger every day but we still need people to circulate petitions and we need donations. Now is the time for change and we can do it. Thank you.
Posted: Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Article comment by:
Patricia Moran
I do not live in Arizona, but I have heard of this case and the horrible way Mr. Zanna was treated by Senator McCain - ultimately - and subsequently, by the officials of Mojave County. It is despicable and I comment Luca Zanna and Bridget Langston for standing up to a corrupt and arrogant group of thugs. They have been slandered, called names, ridiculed, and abused. Simply because they want to exercise their rights as American citizens...to speak their minds at a Town Meeting. Senator McCain and all the people involved in this effort to silence American citizens should be called to task. OR, recalled, as it were. Patricia Moran Pittsburgh, PA
Posted: Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Article comment by:
Diogenes' Lantern
@ Spartacus
In law the word 'should' is stronger than the word 'may' which is clearly permissive, but you are correct in that the word 'should' does not mandate anything. Strangely enough the rules stated in 4 USC 3 are virtually the same as those in 4 USC 1 which are specific to the District of Columbia and uses the word 'shall' which is mandatory. Usually any set of laws, be they Federal, state or local, have a section of definitions stating how certain words shall be construed in interpreting the statutes therein.
However, that said, the fact that the laws governing the Flag of the U.S. are part of the U.S. Code makes them the law of the land and any violation of them are a violation of that law, although any perceived violation of them does not necessarily incur criminal or civil penalties.
I have seen people arrested (back in the 60s and 70s) for desecrations of the U.S. Flag, but I have no idea whether or not they were prosecuted and/or punished for those offenses. Somehow I doubt it because any reasonably competent lawyer would point out the same thing you did.
For anyone's curiosity or research, a full, complete and up-to-date copy of the U.S. Code complete with annotations can be found at http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/uscode .
Posted: Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Article comment by:
Spartacus
@ Diogenes --
I don't believe the code you quote makes any of these desecrations or dishonors against the law. The word 'should' in each instance seems to make these guidelines, not law.
If they were laws, it would state, in some fashion, "It is a misdemeanor to..." or "It is a felony to..."
I could be wrong. But I remember the late '60s and early '70s when countless flags were burned and otherwise desecrated by anti-war protesters. None of these people went to jail for desecrating the flag. They got a beating from the 'hard hats' and others who didn't tolerate this behavior, but they weren't arrested for it.
I see a lot of flags these days flying at night without illumination, flying in rain or snow, dragging the ground from a mast that is not tall enough, or tattered from wear.
I've never heard of anyone being arrested for stuff like this.
Whether or not they ought to be is another matter.
Posted: Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Article comment by:
Diogenes' Lantern
@ Hey Loco Zaney! and Luca
At first I couldn't figure out what Hey Loco was referring to when he said posted a comment to Luca stating that "it is disrespectful to the American Flag to fashion it into a neck tie for your own vanity", but then I looked on Zanna's website (http://www.zanna.us/) and saw the photo of him immediately following his being sworn in as a U.S. citizen. I was shocked. Not only is it disrespectful, it's against the law. Please note the following law of the land from the United States Code and especially to Sections (d) and (j).
4 USC 1, Sec. 8 Respect for flag
No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.
(a) The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
(b) The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.
(c) The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.
(d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker's desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in general.
(e) The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.
(f) The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
(g) The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.
(h) The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
(i) The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.
(j) No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.
(k) The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.
~finis~
Posted: Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Article comment by:
Dan
To ConservativeOne.
It is [deleted] comments like yours that made me change my voting registration from Republican to Independent. I am a true conservative. [Deleted].
No true conservative would speak out against someone working to save our rights as citizens. In the words of the great conservative Ronald Reagan! "Government is not the solution to the problem, Government is the problem"
So Conservative One grow up and stand up for people trying to get Government under control!
Posted: Monday, February 08, 2010
Article comment by:
The Watcher
Lucca Zanna, as soon as you get the petition going to have signatures for the recall of Tom Sockwell, please notify the Miner we all can line up to sign it for you. Sockwell is a very arrogant person that needs to be removed from office. I just wished there was a way for Ron Walker to also be removed from his job. I don’t think the BOS will do anything because he is their fair-haired stepchild. Maybe the Arizona Attorney General can investigate the two of them and any others that were involved with violating your civil rights and Constitutional rights and have him file criminal charges against them.
Posted: Monday, February 08, 2010
Article comment by:
Confused...
To No Name Provided:
So if someone is recieving government assistance, they can't fight for their rights? I do not see the relevance with recieving assistance and fighting for rights.
We pay for the government assistance for people to either abuse it or the ones who truly need it.
But because someone is recieving assistance because of a circumstance, it does not mean that they lose their rights.
I believe you are confused with how life works outside a jail, and life within a jail. It seems like you are thinking of what it is like in jail. I never have been to jail but I know that the person looses their rights when they are within those walls. They can not vote, (can't with felonies on their record) they can't fight for their rights (except the right for a fair trial...) so I am not understanding what that has to do with it. If he is recieving assistance then SO WHAT? It should not matter. So if you have a valid argument please explain it to me to help me understand...
Posted: Monday, February 08, 2010
Article comment by:
Steve
If Zanna wants a recall he should pay for it along with all his followers the mini man.
Posted: Sunday, February 07, 2010
Article comment by:
No name provided
Cut to the CHASE....
Luca Zanna...do you receive ANY government assistance? Yeah, I heard you...you get paid for writing songs and poetry... But do you receive ANY government assistance? You wouldn't bite the hand that feeds you....or would you?
Posted: Sunday, February 07, 2010
Article comment by:
Jeff C.
Diane,
Great post!
Luca Zanna,
GODSPEED my LIBERTY loving friend!
Jeff
Posted: Sunday, February 07, 2010
Article comment by:
P-Rod
For those of you who believe that the courts probably wouldn't do anything, you are so right.... UNLESS.... there was a crowd of people at the hearing supporting the recall... I'll bet that will get someone's attention. There is also the appellate court and the 9th circuit.... it doesn't stop at the "lower" level!
Posted: Sunday, February 07, 2010
Article comment by:
Suo Patrino di Corleone
Luca, Mio Figlio, lo supplico; ha ritornato in Italia? ;-)
Posted: Sunday, February 07, 2010
Article comment by:
Voltaire
Coercion? An apology vs. a recall? C'mon, get real. Freedom of Speech shall not be for the select few.
"I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."
Posted: Sunday, February 07, 2010
Article comment by:
Term limits please
Career politicians are one of the largest problems in our country; that is the cancer that musty be removed, as should any requirements for signatures to get on the ballot. That is obstructionist tactics.
Posted: Sunday, February 07, 2010
Article comment by:
One who knows from experience
The courts are corrupted. It's a waste of time and money in my opinion. They do not generally follow the US Constitution. That is a fact.
Posted: Sunday, February 07, 2010
Article comment by:
The Stand
Dave:
Very well stated. God gave us natural rights and the Founding Fathers tried to seal them. Unfortunately, most government does not respect our own country, people, freedom, liberty or God. These are evil men and women that will lose if we take a stand.
Posted: Sunday, February 07, 2010
Article comment by:
Tom O'Riley
Run Luca out of town? Arrest him? Are you crazy? Who are the no-name-weasle's that say such things. Can't you see what is going on in America? Watch Fall of the Republic, its free on youtube.
Posted: Sunday, February 07, 2010
Article comment by:
Hey Loco Zaney!
Don't you think it is disrespectful to the American Flag to fashion it into a neck tie for your own vanity? I realize that you have the freedom to express yourself, but you should show some resoect for our Country's sacred emblem.
Posted: Sunday, February 07, 2010
Article comment by:
D. King
I don't live in the district so I can't sign.
I will offer my help in obtaining signatures.
Luca if you get the signatures will you run against him in a recall?
For you misinformed about recall elections, it may not be possible to get it on the ballot for a good length of time.
Go get um Luca!!!
Best wish's D. King
Posted: Saturday, February 06, 2010
Article comment by:
I Agree
I agree with Bob Taylor. I read the cases he cited and several others. You don't have to do a lot of legal research. Just Google or Bing search and you can see how the courts have dealt with the subject. The courts have recognized that a govenment entity has the same authority as private property owners to manage property for its intended purpose. As a taxpayer and patriotic citizen I would like to be able to conduct any business that I may have at the County Administration Building without being hounded by a bunch of Yahoos.
Posted: Saturday, February 06, 2010
Article comment by:
azmac
runZannaOutOfTownCommity
It is people like you is why the government can deny you your rights. Can you name one God given right that you do not have to ask permission to do. When you have to ask permission then that is communism.
You are very unamerican.
Thank God for people like Luca Zanna.
runZannaOutOfTownCommity have you ever read the constitution or even know what form of government we are supposed to have? Do you know any of this countries history? Do you know how your congressmen vote and what bills are in congress to they are voting on?
I can answer for you, the answer is no you know none of the hings I asked, any good American will know the answers.
