editor: fred miller January 18, 2021 #2/January/2021
Hello,
Jesus, Trump is still president? Its like waiting for a scab to fall off. (Bill Maher)
Wednesday January 6,was the date that some trump followers found out their fantasy internet show was not reality. Somehow this motley grouping of people-united by their allegiance to trump and their hatred of all others-diverse in their whiteness from workers to lawyers, from elected officials to unemployed men, from the white chauvinist men to the Republican Attorneys General Association-believed they would storm the capitol and restore the election of trump. They were revealed as play actors playing at storming (more like wandering around in) the capitol. Farhad Manjoo, a Times columinst wrote..."They’d flown in to undo an election as if it were no bigger deal than a weekend getaway. They expected to march on the Capitol, restore Trump to the throne, memorialize the moment for Instagram and then travel home unscathed, as if what happens in Washington in broad daylight with the world’s news media watching stays in Washington." It's not that they weren't dangerous, they were and are. They represent a racist, white supremacist, authoritarian-loving vein of hatred that has existed in the United States since the forming of the nation. Periodically emboldened by the conditions of their time, they rise to spew their bile and try to wrest control of the government through violent and non-violent means. This period is just the latest. It is a scary time and the election of Biden doesn't end it. But an opportunity has now emerged that would help in de-escalating the incipient violence threatened by members of these groups. With the public revulsion of and rejection of those extreme ideologies due to the capitol assault, the leadership in Biden's administration along with a new attorney general can use this moment to jail, put on trial, scatter, expose and otherwise disrupt the leadership of the known organizations; proud boys (sad men), three percenters (creepy threepers), oath keepers (swear word guardians), boogaloo bois (can't dance white boys), and many others.
(For homegrown terrorists see the roots of hate in Arizona below.)
In the short term individuals can and should oppose lies and delusions of these groups and others such as arizona patriots, stop the steal, arizona repugnican party, wherever they occur and however we can; conversations within families, discussions on social media, letters to newspapers, signs of solidarity, letters to companies that support extremists, are all ways to combat fantasy with truth.
On the bright side, registration for vaccinations has opened for more people this week. On the dim side, there is not enough vaccine. The legacy of the most incompetent and corrupt president this country has ever seen.
fred
REGULAR COUNCIL SESSION
TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2021 AT 7:00 PM VIA ZOOM
Due to Covid 19 this meeting will be conducted electronically by Zoom and Facebook. The public can join, listen and view the meeting as follows:
City’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/COB118Arizona/). A Facebook account is not necessary.
Zoom by calling in at 1-346-248-7799 or by the following link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85489071009 the meeting/webinar ID is 854 8907 1009.
The public can submit comments that will be read at the dais by a staff member to publiccomment@bisbeeaz.gov. All comments shall be submitted by no later than Tuesday at noon. Citizens can also be recognized to speak during the meeting only if they sign up ahead of time at the email address above. Please indicate if you are signing up to speak under Call to the Public or a specific item number.
Of Interest:
#1 Spending your money
#2 the consent agenda usually includes past minutes and applications for various committees. If you would like to see backgrounds of new people on committees, check it out.
# 6 four year IGA for the Bisbee Bus instead of the previous contract tween the city and Douglas.
#8 Mayor Ken Budge continues the emergency declaration in Bisbee
#9 will likely set a date for a work session on the open meeting law and mayor/manager form of government
#10 into a closed session to discuss legal issues: open meeting law complaint, Harris (aka as Nito) matter, and location for magistrate court agreement
AGENDA
INVOCATION: A Moment of Silence
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MAYOR’S PROCLAMATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
CALL TO THE PUBLIC
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WILL BE DISCUSSED, CONSIDERED AND/OR DECIDED UPON AT THIS MEETING:
GENERAL BUSINESS:
1. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Subject to availability of funds
2. Approval of the Consent Agenda
Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Session of the Mayor and Council held on December 15, 2020.
Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Session of the Mayor and Council held on January 5, 2021.
Approval of the Appointment of David Russell to the Streets and Infrastructure Committee.
Approval of the Reappointment of Stephan Green to the Design Review Board.
Approval of the Reappointment of Grace Wiggins to the Evergreen Cemetery Committee with a Waiver for Residency Requirement.
Approval of the Reappointment of Joan Reichel to the Library Advisory Board with a Waiver for Length of Service.
Approval of the Reappointment of Jane Gaffer to the Parks and Recreation Committee.
Approval of the Appointment of Douglas Dunn to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Approval of the Reappointment of Stephen Dey to the Streets and Infrastructure Committee with a Waiver for Residency Requirements.
Approval of the Reappointment of Ben Lepley to the Streets and Infrastructure Committee with a Waiver for Number of Commission Memberships Currently Served.
NEW BUSINESS
3. Discussion and Possible action or direction on the Petition submitted by Michael Foster to increase off-street parking on Upper OK Street.
Ken Budge, Mayor
4. Discussion and Possible Approval of a 5-year Lease Agreement with Xerox for a copy machine at the Fire Department.
George Castillo, Fire Chief
5. Discussion and Possible Approval to donate a surplus Ambulance to Naco, Sonora.
Theresa Coleman, City Manager
George Castillo, Fire Chief
6. Discussion and Possible Approval to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Douglas for Public Transit.
Jesus Haro, Public Works Director
7. Discussion and Possible Approval of the Lease-Purchase Agreement for a Mini Excavator.
Jesus Haro, Public Works Director
8. Discussion and Possible Approval on an Amended Mayor’s Proclamation and Emergency Declaration.
Joe Estes, City Attorney
9. Discussion and Possible direction on a future Work Session of Open Meeting Law and Mayor Manager Form of Government.
Joe Estes, City Attorney
10. Possible Approval of a motion to go into Executive Session for the following matters:
1. An executive session pursuant to A.R.S.§ 38-431.03(a)(3) for discussion or consultation with the city attorney on a co-located court agreement.
2. An executive session pursuant to A.R.S.§ 38-431.03(a)(3) for discussion or consultation on the OML Complaint dated December 29th.
3. An executive session pursuant to A.R.S.§ 38-431.03(a)(3)(4) for discussion or consultation on the Harris matter.
4. An executive session pursuant to A.R.S.§ 38-431.03(a)(3)(4) for discussion or consultation on the Slusser matter.
Per ARS § 38-431.03(A3)(A4) , the City Council may vote to go into executive session for discussion or consultation for legal advice with the attorney or attorneys of the public body and for Discussion or consultation with the attorneys of the public body in order to consider its position and instruct its attorneys regarding the public body's position regarding contracts that are the subject of negotiations, in pending or contemplated litigation or in settlement discussions conducted in order to avoid or resolve litigation.
Joseph Estes, City Attorney
11. Discussion and Possible approval to establish and select a Judicial Selection Committee for the Purpose of making recommendations for a City Magistrate.
Joe Estes, City Attorney
12. City Manager's Report:
Other Current events (No Discussion)
COUNCIL COMMENTS OR FUTURE AGENDA ITEM SUGGESTIONS: (Council members may suggest topics for future meeting agendas, but Council will not here discuss, deliberate or take any action on these topics.):
Councilmember Johns would like to comment on the Bisbee Arts Commission Grant Funding.
POLITICS
A MUST READ This thoughtful article examines the rule of trump, makes some comparisons with the past, and elucidates the differences. It separates the reflexive 'it's facism' with an analysis of the present. "...not because the present repeats the past, but because the past enlightens the present." “Post-truth is pre-fascism, and Trump has been our post-truth president. When we give up on truth, we concede power to those with the wealth and charisma to create spectacle in its place. Without agreement about some basic facts, citizens cannot form the civil society that would allow them to defend themselves. If we lose the institutions that produce facts that are pertinent to us, then we tend to wallow in attractive abstractions and fictions. Truth defends itself particularly poorly when there is not very much of it around, and the era of Trump — like the era of Vladimir Putin in Russia — is one of the decline of local news. Social media is no substitute: It supercharges the mental habits by which we seek emotional stimulation and comfort, which means losing the distinction between what feels true and what actually is true.” https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/09/magazine/trump-coup.html?utm_campaign=wp_power_up&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_powerup ............... PPP BAILOUT TRACKER Click here to see what businesses got how much dough. https://covidbailouttracker.com/state/AZ ...........CHARTER SCHOOLS GET MUCHO PPP DINERO; Stanky! Wonder why Bisbee and other public schools struggle? Charters schools sucking up tax money is one of the main reasons. This article details how some economically healthy charter schools received PPP loans to bolster their already fat bank accounts. Go here for the article: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-investigations/2020/12/19/arizona-charter-school-primavera-gets-ppp-loan-gives-10-million-investor/3878722001/"The earlier SBA records had indicated about 100 Arizona charter schools had received up to $100 million in PPP loans. The new data shows about 30 more charter schools got loans." ............... REQUEST TO SPEAK TRAINING Sooooo if you want to affect State legislation, this is the best place to start. Save Our Schools used this very effectively the past two lege sessions to positively affect legislation. Can do it from your home and get your voice heard in Phoenix. The training is done by Civic Engagement https://www.cebv.us/rts.html. To sign up go here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScdjBMoAJrjHD57GGegmdUCKAowcr93K4vQA6a7_AjyElBtrQ/viewform Or here: https://apps.azleg.gov/Account/SignOn Subjects covered: What is this Request to Speak system you speak of? Do you have to speak? (spoiler—NO!) Does RTS really matter? (spoiler—YES!) How do I use the RTS system? When is RTS most effective? How does the Legislature work? ...and much, much more! They will have online RTS Trainings every week in January, so check their Facebook page for additional dates. JOIN CIVIC ENGAGEMENT BEYOND VOTING ON ZOOM EVERY SUNDAY (starting Jan 17, 2021) TO DISCUSS THE WEEK AHEAD IN THE LEGISLATURE WITH MELINDA IYER, HEAR ABOUT THE STATUS OF REDISTRICTING, AND SHARE YOUR RTS ACTIONS WITH CONGENIAL NEW & OLD FRIENDS. WE'LL ALSO GIVE ONE-ON-ONE HELP WITH RTS.Sundays 4-6 pm (starting 1/17) REGISTER HERE ............... BASICS FOR UNDERSTANDING THE AZ LEGISLATURE (thanks to civic engagement) Go here for explanation of Budget flow: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1B2bOFYj9wd5Qh00g8LyoBYbPlsQNIxcT-SgSbclr77k/edit#slide=id.p3 Go here for an explanation of how a Bill can be stopped or modified https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y4w31DQFznxoTDZDru86qzDoku3wuHaW/viewh Go here for a real world explanation of how a Bill become law: "Many... bills come from – and are actually written by – special interests and their lobbyists, people who may have helped elect the lawmaker who agreed to put his or her name on it." https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2021/01/08/bill-is-real-but-nothing-like-textbook/ Go here for Senate legislators contact info: https://www.azleg.gov/MemberRoster/?body=S Go here for House legislators contact info: https://www.azleg.gov/MemberRoster/?body=H Go here for legislators committee assignments https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JoSu1_4o_OjDCavctMBkj87YkTinZ5KZpol5I3Wqt_Y/edit#gid=1842254281 ......................THE ROOTS OF HATE IN ARIZONA https://www.azcentral.com/in-depth/news/local/arizona-investigations/2020/10/01/how-patriot-movement-az-became-political-force-arizona/3397222001/ REBRANDING WHITE SUPREMACISTS https://gwenfrisbiefulton.medium.com/the-things-you-are-getting-wrong-about-white-supremacists-is-what-allows-them-to-grow-553fa1cf54c8
TECHNOLOGY
THE HACK THAT HAS WON THE WAR FOR RUSSIA https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/02/us/politics/russian-hacking-government.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage ................ These are some helpful hints if you zoom...
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-use-zoom-15-video-chat-tips-and-tricks-to-try-today/?ftag=CAD3c77551&bhid=24867379272108267615610596432948&mid=13212842&cid=644009257 NEW PRODUCTS AT THE CONSUMER ELECTRONIC SHOW https://www.cnet.com/ces/products/
ENVIRONMENT
GROWING BACKYARD DOPE IN ARIZONA
The law provides very strict parameters for cannabis grows. Cultivation must take place "within a closet, room, greenhouse or other enclosed area on the grounds of the residence, equipped with a lock or other security device that prevents access by minors," in an area "where the marijuana plants are not visible from public view without using binoculars, aircraft or other optical aids." .........
TREES TALKIN When I was a forest worker, I talked to the trees I was planting. giving them a pep talk to get them started in life. Many of us were convinced that tree knew shit, they communicated. Those unscientific, but empirical, beliefs grounded in the everyday communion in forests and former forests (i.e. logging sites) have now been validated by extensive research. A fascinating article. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/12/02/magazine/tree-communication-mycorrhiza.html#commentsContainer .......... TALKIN TREES
The precise height of redwoods is a significant scientific question for two major reasons: it’s important because enormous redwoods can store a ton of carbon as biomass, and also they can be 30 stories tall and that’s way too high to send someone up — let’s not be ridiculous here. Researchers using laser scanning have been able to properly size up 145 redwoods by blasting them with infrared laser pulses from all sides with the goal of getting a more precise reckoning of how much tree there really is. Turns out that coastal redwoods are about 30 percent larger by volume than previously predicted. Katherine Kornei, Scientific American ....... Fossil fuel divestment https://heated.world/p/big-techs-loudest-climate-advocate/FMfcgxwKkRKcqbrnqztWLwkJlnpSshQX <><><><><><><><>
SCIENCE (The intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment)
COVID Go here for latest scientific/technical papers on virus; a tremendous amount of info is being researched and published. "At Cell Press, we recognize the urgent need to quickly share information about SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. On this hub page, curated by members of our editorial team, you'll find the latest content about the outbreak as it appears in Cell Press journals." https://www.cell.com/covid-19?utm_campaign=Coronavirus ................
PUNDEMIC
There is a Wire reader in Alaska that has much too much time on his hands so he often sends me word play stuff. I pass on some of it because I feel an obligation to provide you with opportunities to improve your mental health by groaning aloud.
Finland has just closed their borders. No one will be crossing the finish line.
So many coronavirus jokes out there, it’s a pundemic
Now is not the right time to surround yourself with positive people
There will be a minor baby boom in 9 months, and then one day in 2033 we shall witness the rise of the quaranteens.
Why do they call it the novel coronavirus? It’s a long story
I’d tell you a coronavirus joke now, but you’d have to wait two weeks to see if you got it.
I ran out of toilet paper and had to start using old newspap;ers. Times are rough.,
What do you call panic-buying of sausage and cheese in Germany? The Wurst Kase scenario.
The grocery stores in France look like tornadoes hit them. All that’s left is de brie.
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