2/11/2010 6:00:00 AM Letter: Citizens should be stunned
After Supervisor Tom Sockwell's irrational display recently, this follow-up letter by Country Manager Ron Walker is rather shocking. Mr. Walker, there is so much in your letter that is false and defamatory, I will do my best to just highlight some points. You apparently have absolutely ignored everything about the facts regarding ARS 11-410, and just restating falsifications regarding ARS 11-410 does not change the facts. Your "interpretation" of the law is meaningless. You are very late to this debate, as constitutional attorneys have even weighed in, stating that the county was clearly in violation by censoring citizens and by allowing McCain to use a county facility to influence his political agenda.
The law states that ARS 11-410 prohibits the use of county resources or employees to influence elections. In addition, members of your board and a county attorney have already admitted that there is, of course, no law that selectively prohibits our 1st Amendment rights in our county building; specifically during our town hall meeting with Sen. McCain, and specifically when McCain and his staff were allowed to do what they wanted while we were censored. This would be an example you, yourself, used of "picking and choosing laws they like to enforce."
You are now calling us derogatory names and saying we are over-zealous and negative because we are not staying quiet when we were denied our 1st Amendment rights at our town hall meeting, when it is very clear that we had every right to peacefully pass out McCain's voting record.
You also said "Our naturalized citizen seems to believe that free speech law allows anyone to say what they want, when they want and how they want. He needs some more study on that issue. Try espousing your free speech rights from the balcony of the U.S. Congress or state Legislature. Even better, try it with a gun on your hip." Your disdain for the town's "token legal immigrant" is obvious by that remark. Mr. Walker, it seems you are the one who needs more study on the issue of free speech. Yes, you can espouse your opinions in this county, if you are a law-abiding citizen, even with a gun on your hip. We are an open carry state.
You and your board have openly and arrogantly broken constitutional laws regarding ARS 11-410 and our constitutional rights. You have now taken this to an even lower level that is grossly negligent and defamatory, which brings me to the most egregious aspect of your letter. Mr. Walker, you have audaciously and publicly likened my husband to a terrorist, a "local person who blew up the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building" and have called him a "lunatic fringe" several times in your letter. You have not merely crossed the line with this public assault, you have pole-vaulted over it. Needless to say, you have insolently discarded any apology option by doing what you have done, instead you have chosen to launch a reckless defamation of character attack against Luca.
Citizens of this county should read your letter and be absolutely stunned that you are in charge of managing our community and tax dollars.
Bridget Langston
Golden Valley
Reader Comments
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: Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Article comment by:
ica rus
With a stun-gun.
Posted: Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Article comment by:
Mr. Recall Sockwell
Bridget,
Great letter.
In my book, Luca is a hero that stands for rights.
Tom, Ron, Buster, and Gary, are all a bunch of hypocrites and tyrants.
They are just like mobsters while they ban your firearms inside the building, as they have their hired hands fully armed and inside the same exact building.
They say they have not taken away our rights, but if mine have not been taken away, why do I have less rights than the cops inside the building?
Cops have the right to keep and bear arms against the citizens they are supposed to serve and protect.....is that what the Arizona Constitution says? I dont think so.
How did they all of a sudden end up with MORE rights than the individual citizen?
Luca is right when he claims we are nothing but slaves and second class citizens to these people. They are tyrants.
I say recall Tom for the start of a brand new start!
The only things missing at the county building right now is a giant picture of Ron Walker with a Hitler mustache, and a giant flag with a swastika on it.
Maybe that will be our next county emblem?
Posted: Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Article comment by:
az mac
Well said Bridget Langston, very good article. Most people have no clue of what they have already lost. Keep the ignorant people dumb and happy while they slowly take away all your rights. That is the governments motto. Why do you think they no longer teach American history and the constitution in schools. Oklahoma and Arizona 81% of high school students could not name our first president. Keep them dumb and they will not know what they are losing until it is to late.
Posted: Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Article comment by:
say goodnight sweetheart
I cant wait to see the incumbants get tossed out like trash..
I hope the feds are brought in this county and every single one of these lying backstabbing knuckleheads go to JAIL...that would be the best use of my tax dollars Ive seen since moving here 5 yrs ago...
Get used to wearing Orange boys...I hope ya like baloney..
Posted: Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Article comment by:
there goes lunch period
oh, no - you've done it now, Bridget. The middle school principal will now take away our lunch period. Open your mouth again and Walker may force us into coed P.E. classes. But don't worry - nothing will hapen to you in the shower. He will have those corpulent and highly-trained/skilled security officers standing there watching everything. Things must be serious. I'm not even laughing.
Posted: Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Article comment by:
George Washington
Good letter, Langston. You have indeed shamed Walker by pointing out his propensity to call names and make ridiculous accusations and comparisons. He has made a fool of himself and everyone who has read his letter knows it.
Posted: Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Article comment by:
Thomas Paine
To Bridget Langston. Great letter, Ms. Langston! And as you say, the most egregious part of Walker's letter was comparing your husband, Mr. Zanna to Timothy McVeigh...and you to Hanoi Jane. His name-calling and his accusations are SO out of line and so lacking in the respect due to his constituents. He has conducted himself in a very immature way, to say the least. His letter is very revealing and shows the kind of man he is..which is not very flattering. Shame on him. I agree with everything you say in your letter. More power to you and your husband.
Posted: Thursday, March 18, 2010
Article comment by:
Please Step Up and Help with www.RecallSockwell.com
To help with RecallSockwell go to www.RecallSockwell.com or e-mail MohaveFreedom@Yahoo.com The cause is growing 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.k6w35e
Posted: Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Article comment by:
The Watcher
It's time for Luca Zanna to sue Ron Walker, Tom Sockwell and the county. They'll jump through hoops when that happens. IT LOOKS LIKE LUCA IS GOING TO OWN A PIECE OF THE COUNTY. Also Zanna needs to start getting the signatures he needs for there recall.
Posted: Friday, February 12, 2010
Article comment by:
Web Admin
@ Fred --
"...I am hoping the Kingman Daily Miner can obtain a copy of this Policy..."
According to Suzanne Adams, the reporter covering this controversy, there is no written policy regarding this.
Posted: Friday, February 12, 2010
Article comment by:
SaveOurRepublic
Fred, keep reading the Miner, once again you will see that a policy, (and we know there is no law) doesn't 'exist'.
This BOS and 'crew' knows what is about to hit the fan.
Posted: Friday, February 12, 2010
Article comment by:
Fred
Supervisor Johnson quoted a County Policy to Mr Zanna and I am hoping the Kingman Daily Miner can obtain a copy of this Policy and publish it including when it became policy and who voted it in.
Posted: Friday, February 12, 2010
Article comment by:
Yada Yada Yada, then elections
I just hope we can keep this fervor until election day. A new broom sweeps clean.
Posted: Thursday, February 11, 2010
Article comment by:
Had Enough
Al & others....you have a right to be concerned. I'm looking into a lawsuit - possibly a class-action lawsuit - with two law firms now. I'm thankful for assistance already given from well-placed individuals here.
Posted: Thursday, February 11, 2010
Article comment by:
No name provided
@ Bob Taylor and all County Attorneys.
We have written to your office numerous times about having a protest from Locomotive Park in Kingman and walk to the County Building on a Saturday. Time and time again you have denied us by quoting ARS 11-410. Everytime we responded telling you again and again that applies to County employees. I guess it took Senator Gould to check into and have a real attorney give his interpretation. You have consistantly denied the citizens thrie "Freedom of Speech" time and time again. Well sir and to all the Board of Supervisors and our still employed (for the moment) County Manager Ron Walker - "We the People" would like to hold a protest next Saturday. And since we are exercising our "Freedom of Speech", I trust the Sheriff Sheahan will not violate our right and threaten to arrest us for speaking out on "County " property that "We the People" are given our right to protest.
Posted: Thursday, February 11, 2010
Article comment by:
Clarity
No one is going to ask for Mr. Wlaker to resign, why should we pay him a pension for his tenure?
We are demanding he be fired!
Posted: Thursday, February 11, 2010
Article comment by:
WES
Mr. Walker
To use your own words. "I'm surprised by the overzealous, ill-informed and negative response" by Ron Walker towards a citizen and resident of Mohave Co. or a citizen from anywhere. And as you told me directly Mr. Walker in a article response to another article, to have good luck with my way of thinking and that I need to control my hate and anger. Well Mr. Walker, with all the responses that I have seen and new people making comments all the time including Sen Gould, I think that I have done a pretty good job with my opinions. To be honest with you Ron, I think it is you that needs to control your hate and anger towards legal immigrants and the residents of this county. I will be at the BOS meeting on Tues @ 1:00 to see the residents of this county ask you to resign.
Posted: Thursday, February 11, 2010
Article comment by:
PLL
Hey AL,
Pam Bibich is the best constable Mohave County has ever had. She is a Democrat and we keep electing her. Don't you remember when Buster Johnson and James Zaborski lowered her salary trying to get her to resign? Buster Johnson is sure "we the people" are making a big mistake by re-electing her over and over. She does a great job, knows the rules and is fair and honest. I guess Buster thinks that "honest" part is not good for the political arena in Mohave County.
Posted: Thursday, February 11, 2010
Article comment by:
No name provided
According to Gould, the attorney who advises the state senate said it was his opinion that the county erred in applying ARS 11-410.
Posted: Thursday, February 11, 2010
Article comment by:
READ SEN. GOULD'S ARTICLE IN TODAY'S STANDARD !
TO The BOS and all Citizens, Senator Ron Gould Speaks up about County politicking controversy in today's standard!
Posted: Thursday, February 11, 2010
Article comment by:
Stand Up - At least Vote
Al, you hit the nail on the head. When one party is so dominate, there's no balance. We need all the closeted Dems to show themselves. There's a lot out there - they've just be beaten down for way too long.
Posted: Thursday, February 11, 2010
Article comment by:
Frank
Good letter. I think Mr Walker and/or the BOS better start understanding how to respond (or not respond) to events. Reading these accounts over the last few days makes me wonder if Mr W and the present BOS are going to cost us big bucks from a lawsuit.
Posted: Thursday, February 11, 2010
Article comment by:
Al
I have lived in Kingman for going on 21 years. I cannot recall of any democrat being in an elective position in the entire county.
So, if we can get rid of all these republicans who are doing us wrong, then who are we supposed to vote for?
Posted: Thursday, February 11, 2010
Article comment by:
Ace
Very well put Bridget , thank you and Luca for all of your efforts . God Bless you.
All of the public "servants" involved in this CONSPIRACY to deny us our God Given Constitutionally recogized and protected rights need to resign forthwith . All of you I urge you to do the right thing now. Before the legal actions and political actions you have provoked get so far that they must be completed.If you do not RESIGN , immediately it will be YOU that costs this County and US Government huge sums of money that we do not have , prosecuting and recalling you . Not to mention the Federal Civil rights suits and civil defamation law suits that you all face.
You are wrong and you know you are wrong and soon it shall be shown that you are and have been involved in a CONSPIRACY to deny us our rights.
