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| Mayor Jack Responds to 911 Issue |
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| Written by Jack D Wilson | |
| Friday, 13 June 2008 | |
Mayor Jack Wilson. Photo courtesy City of Prescott.Editor's Note: The following is a response from Mayor Jack D. Wilson to the 911 question. 911On June 1, 2008, a problem arose at the Yavapai County Courthouse during “Antiques on the Square.” This show is sponsored by the Thumb Butte Questers Chapter #1282 as a fundraiser for the Chapter’s Preservation and Restoration Fund. Our last fundraising project, with three other Prescott Questers groups, was raising funds for the restoration of the second or inner lobby in the Elks Opera House. The Antique Dealers who participate come from all over the state of Arizona and pay fees to the County and the City of Prescott in addition to the costs incurred for gas, meals and lodging. Many of these dealers depend on such shows for their living. Another group was also working at the Square that morning: people who are paid to gather signatures on petitions for State referenda. These people have been at all the shows at the Courthouse this year and are usually very polite. About mid-morning, Dealers began complaining that paid signature gatherers were blocking the entrances to their booths, harassing and scaring off customers. Liz Wilson, the Show Manager for the Questers, politely asked them to confine their actions to the sidewalk and away from the booths. They assured her that they would not bother anyone. A short while later, she received more complaints and, when she went to the area in question, they were all standing in a group on the grass and not working at all. Apparently, they continued the same routine as soon as she left. By this time, the dealers were becoming more upset as buyers would go in a different direction to avoid the people with the clipboards and bypass their booths. The situation escalated in the afternoon with words exchanged that resulted in the 911 call since this group had no regard for the rules or the problems they were causing the Dealers. In the afternoon, some women were gathering signatures for Congressional District 1 candidate, Sandra Blackstone, but there were no complaints about their conduct. Should I have called the non-emergency number (778-1444)? In hindsight, probably. Is this an issue to get excited about or really much ado about nothing? At least it provided the opportunity for old curmudgeon Ben Hansen to write another editorial without talking to the person he targeted.
Jack D. Wilson Trackback(0)
Comments (10)
  written by John O'Neil Lutes, June 13, 2008
My view is that Jack was simply trying to resolve an immediate conflict as quickly as possible, his actions are not the heart of the matter. Having managed retail on the row for more than 25 years, my opinion is that the weekly "Scare on the Square" create many conflicts of interest. They decidedly negatively impact some of the downtown retailers while boosting beer & ice cream sales, that is why destination shopping chains like Sears, Goldwaters & JC Penny vacated downtown long ago. The real question this matter brings to the surface,is what is the most appropriate use of the Courthouse Square, gathering petition signatures or staging a bunch of trinket booths for out of town folk to compete & distract from local merchants who are trying to pay their rents and property taxes?
Public Performance Art events, like this weeks Tsunami are the most appropriate uses of the Square, I am sure petition purveyors and signers are welcome! report abuse
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written by douglas wittreich, June 13, 2008
former Mayor Rowle Simmons being busted for drunken driving in downtown Prescott or Mayor
Wilson calling 911? Would you know if Mayor Simmons was required to have a breathalyser in his motor vehicles to prevent him from driving drunk and endangering the lives of others? report abuse
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written by Adam L. Rowling, June 13, 2008
Mr. Wilson’s uses his title to gain favor over other citizens and that is one of the worst crimes a person can commit in America. Mr. Wilson thinks that his office is a tool to rule with when in fact he is a servant at the will of the people. This call to 911 is just a single incident on a long list of petty (but disturbing) actions by Mr. Wilson.
I have spoken with Mayor Wilson face to face and I wish he would have 'fixed' my situation by calling 911 like he did for his wife. But Mr. Wilson’s response to me was, “what do you want me to do about it?” and then he walked off. I view favoritism by a public official to be considerably worse than a non-calculated lapse of judgment. I never remember Mr. Simmons hiding from his responsibility. Mayor Simmons paid his fine and served his time, in America that means his debt to society is paid in full. Of course people make mistakes, but some people correct their wrongs and correct their lives to overcome weaknesses. In the case of Mr. Wilson he is just a mistake. report abuse
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written by Anthony Mastrangelo, June 14, 2008
Interesting how accounts of a situation can be painted so differently along the way.
Let’s bring a few details concerning the facts back into perspective. 1. What prompted the mayor's call to begin with? Individuals blocking access on the square to some vendor booths resulting in complaints. Gee no coverage of that. 2. Has there been any coverage as to the statements and unwillingness by the signature gatherers refusal to simply move to another area. No comments about that either in any article. 3. What would the story be had the mayor, or anyone else for that matter, done nothing and the situation escalated further. Any questions as to what government agency might end up being held responsible? Strange no thought about that in any article. 4. Mayor Wilson, once given the opportunity, provided a reasonable account of events. I support his position in stipulating that no portion of his statement be altered or deleted. Coverage of matters in our town certainly seem to at the political mercy of the publications involved. Let’s be clear on a couple of points. Mayor Wilson has been the target of various smear tactics since winning election. Every individual is entitled to their position on matters and to also have those beliefs respected. When, however, entities do nothing more than lie-in-wait in attempts to use any possible excuse to defame someone, it is wrong. Even I do not agree with every portion of Mayor Wilson's positions. There is a distinct difference however between healthy debate and slime. Anyone not questioning how this matter evolved to begin with is out of touch with the political atmosphere in Prescott. If comparisons are needed one should look at the coverage of other civic leaders during recent history. report abuse
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written by Vinny T, June 16, 2008
Adam: Give Mayor Wilson a break, he's been in office only about 6 months, it's way too early to judge him at the present time. Remember when Rowle became Mayor, he didn't have a clue.
Adam wrote: "Mr. Wilson’s uses his title to gain favor over other citizens and that is one of the worst crimes a person can commit in America." I can think of worse crimes, here's a couple to start: 1.Starting unprovoked wars based on lies that will cost the US billions if not trillions of dollars & thousands of our military in deaths. 2.Serial killers report abuse
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written by Adam L. Rowling, June 16, 2008
So, by your logic it is acceptable to have megalomaniac tendencies as long as someone else is addicted to power to some degree higher than the next guy. It is acceptable to kill one person as long as someone else kills more? This is about Mr. Wilson and changing the subject is just evidence that he was wrong and no reasonable explanation exists for his behavior.
BTW, I started judging Jack long before he was mayor. I remember him complaining about the hill behind Lowe’s and that most likely gave him the election. What disgusted me was the 6174 sq feet of floor space his house occupies (Yavapai county GIS) on a hill. How can a person that has disrupted the earth for a single occupancy house of above average means criticize a business that serves thousands? I’ve been on to Slick for some time now. report abuse
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written by Anthony Mastrangelo, June 16, 2008
Adam, it is you changing the subject and no one fooled.
And BTW, the changes and additions to Mayor Wilson's house encompassed the existing footprint of land. It did not create what nearly resembles the aftermath of a bombing test site now behind Lowe's. report abuse
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written by Adam L. Rowling, June 16, 2008
Anthony, disregard my second paragraph although it was fairly obvious that I was addressing this statement, “Adam: Give Mayor Wilson a break, he's been in office only about 6 months…” I was accused of making a quick judgment about our novice mayor and I was only offering evidence that I have been watching Mr. Wilson for sometime. And as additional proof I had started to form an opinion about Mr. Wilson years ago, I also remember the 4 story building at the corner of Sheldon and Montezuma, Mr. Wilson was against the original design.
While we are at it I’ll bite on these: 1. “What prompted the mayor's call to begin with?” From the Mayor response it appears that he was trying to rescue his wife from a distraction at her event. I doubt that the mayor would come to my rescue if I was having the same problem. 2. “Has there been any coverage as to the statements and unwillingness by the signature gatherers refusal to simply move to another area.” It is inappropriate to ask someone to go to another area, if you want a second opinion just ask an African American to simply use the backdoor. 3. “What would the story be had the mayor, or anyone else for that matter, done nothing and the situation escalated further. Any questions as to what government agency might end up being held responsible?” Escalated, are you serious? It takes two parties to escalate a situation. And the story would have been,”Signature gatherers cross the line.” And not, “Mayor calls 911.” 4. “Mayor Wilson, once given the opportunity, provided a reasonable account of events. I support his position in stipulating that no portion of his statement be altered or deleted. Coverage of matters in our town certainly seem to at the political mercy of the publications involved.” If the mayor is not smart enough to recognize his opportunity to comment I’ll point them out so he can do better next time. The opportunities occurred when PrescottEnews asked him about the 911 call and he said, “No comment” and the calls from the Daily Courier represent two other times. In the future I will try to limit my response so everyone understands. I am also confident that Mr. Wilson will create a new incident that requires the scrutiny of the public sooner than later. report abuse
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written by Anthony Mastrangelo, June 16, 2008
Adam - Fair enough but let's go through the list one final time at which point there are far more important issues to visit.
Item 1. There were legitimate complaints by "paying" vendors that guests were being prevented from accessing their booths. Item 2. No actually there has not been any attempt to provide a complete account of not only the signature gatherers unwillingness to move but also some of their statements. I really take exception and find offensive your comment comparing this to asking an African American to use the back door. There is no comparison to this situation, that at the very least, involved individuals showing no consideration for vendors that paid to use the area. Given the fact that the vendors felt the situation was wrong, was ample cause for it to be addressed. Item 3.Yes I am most serious about this statement. You and no one else can say with certainty what may or may not have happened. Given the political environment and reactions seen, I would be more willing to bet the spin would not have been about signature gatherers crossing the line but ultimately what Mayor Wilson did not do to "prevent" something from happening when present. Item 4. Given the bias shown by some publications I am not surprised over anyone giving a "no comment" response over making them wait for a written statement. If you differ with this view I would ask why we see submissions altered, or articles dropped (happened just this morning), when the tide turns on article comments not consistent with that of the publication. Come-on now, you know it happens. One thing for sure about your last comment. Mayor Wilson will not be alone as there are plenty of incidents occurring and fortunately enough there are more people that are looking. report abuse
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Liz Wilson, your wife? If she is not capable of handling the situation herself and needs her husband to call the police fine, but you should not have used your title when making the call. Your wife is only special to you; the rest of us should not bear the burden of your family.
On second thought you are only a bad joke.