Dear Editor,
The Plan also calls for aggressive annexation of adjacent city and rural areas. These areas do not have a vote on the General Plan but will directly feel the weight and brunt of expansive city governmental oversight, like it or not. I could go on and on with all the layers of ambiguity and governmental overreach, but I think you get the point. Proposition 417 does NOT address the needs of the people. It is a scam, a shill, and a disingenuous power grab, a classic Trojan Horse.
If you think the city streets have too many potholes this General Plan has infinitely more. I am of firm belief the LACK of progressive notification of the plan at this point violates the heart of the Arizona Revised Statute (ARS 9-461). Most obvious is what appears to be a lack of explanation and communication with the people. In the Goals and Objectives, the plan clearly states, “Work with neighbors to understand community needs”. My last publication “Town Hall-Not at All” clearly addresses the fact that the City Council has turned a deaf ear to the voice of the people but now they want your stamp of approval on this poison pill. They want your signature on a blank check. If Proposition 417 passes there will be no choice but to first file a Freedom of Information Request asking the city for documentation of all public meetings, public gatherings, publications, and events, to ensure as the ARS 9-461 demands have been met: “Early and continuous public participation”. Receiving a 100-page document with your ballot days before the voting deadline is a far cry from the statutory requirements. When did you hear about it?
My second step will be to address the issues via a complaint with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. I have done my homework, and if this pig with lipstick does fly Kingman may very well see yet another recall effort. My research has also revealed past recalls of City Council personnel have failed due to minor technical issues with recall petition signatures, hence being thrown out in local court. If recall is needed this time there will be no nicks in our recall armor.
Continued uncontrolled growth as a result of this proposition will surely violate the statutes, which clearly says, any amendments to the current plan. “Will not over tax existing infrastructure and public Services”. The Plan goes on to say Goal #1 in Economic Development mandates “Developers will pay their “Fair Share”. I haven’t seen that at all, Developers are getting filthy rich on the backs of the consumers. I am not an attorney but I can read. As a community activist, I have a definitive plan for Economic Development that does not infringe on the pursuit of robust community-oriented services, better roads, better access to competent medical services and providers, and pursuing all of the many other issues embodied in the will of the people.
I am going to urge every registered voter in Kingman to vote hell No on Proposition 417. If you did not vote in the Primary, please vote now in the General Election. Be very leery of the politician who claims they have a proposition to make; they have a deal for you. Don’t make a “Pelosian” mistake by voting for it now and reading it later. Kingman is not a movie; there is no Field of Dreams, but the Nightmare on Elm St. and on your street is lurking on your doorstep right now.
Elliot Chalew
