Ten Days…1000 signatures

Kelly Moss and Sarah Bernstein turn in the petitions to Globe City Clerk, Gina Paul on Wednesday.

Yesterday, the grassroots citizens group which has been called “…one of the most effective and organized yet truly grassroots groups out there” turned in over 1000 petition signatures of registered Globe voters to Globe’s City Clerk, Gina Paul.

The petitions were part of a Citizen’s Ballot Initiative to force Globe’s Mayor and Council to put the contentious issue of a large private prison to a vote, instead of letting a small handful of leaders speak for everyone.

Although the group only needed 582 valid signatures, they gathered over 1000 in just ten days to place the 2 initiatives on the ballot next March.  Globe City Clerk, Gina Paul has 20 days to review all the signatures and confirm the final count, but says she believes it will take 4-5 days.

Both petition folders were counted twice for accuracy.

The citizens group engaged the services of Rhonda Barnes with Perkins Coie LLP to help draft the language of the initiatives. Barnes specializes in election law. Volunteers were trained to follow exacting rules of who could and couldn’t sign and Citizens Opposed feels confident that a high percentage of signatures will be validated. Over 40 volunteers helped to gather signatures over the ten day period.

This is the first Citizen’s Ballot Initiative in Globe’s history and promises to reinforce the American ideal of one man/ one vote. Something we can all celebrate this July 4th!

Citizens launch ballot initiative process

Can Citizens force a vote on a controversial plan to bring a Private Prison to Globe?

A group of local citizens gather in front of United Jewelry in downtown Globe to launch a petition drive to get 2 ballot initiatives on the March ballot.g

No ballot initiative has ever been done in the 19 years that Globe City Clerk, Gina Paul has been at her post. Its easy to see why. Ballot initiatives, like so much of our political process has gotten cumbersome and expensive , and few have the tenacity and dedication to see such a process through. However, the grassroots organization which launched their opposition to a private for-profit prison to be built in our community has shown just such tenacity, and this morning, they officially launched a Citizens Initiative which will require 580 signatures to be placed on the ballot in March.  See Initiatives Here:Ballot Initiatives … Continue Reading

Concert Series closes out season with singer-songwriter, Lindy Gravelle

Lindy Gravelle got a standing ovation last night from an appreciative crowd

The Globe-Miami Community Concert Series wrapped up a stellar season last night with a great performance by Lindy Gravelle, a singer song writer who grew up in Oregon and began her singing career at age three. She had a band in the 80′s which opened concerts for Michael Martin Murphey, Commander Cody and Hank Williams, Jr.  And later in Nashville, as a songwriter, had her song “A Bottle of Wine and Patsy Cline” recorded by Marsha Thorton on MCA Records and reached the Billboard Magazine Country Top 40 chart. Another of her songs, “Exit 99,” was featured on Lorrie Morgan’s RCA Records’ gold-selling album Warpaint. … Continue Reading

The State issues a new RFP for 5000 Prison Beds. Is Globe in the running?

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The new RFP for more prison beds in Arizona is out and bidders will be expected to turn in their packages by February 24th.  Here in Globe, we don’t know who the bidders are at this point. We don’t know if the Emerald Companies who presented before the Globe City Council and EDC on the first go-round will be among the bidders this time. We don’t know even, if Globe is still considered as a site for contention. But what we do know is enough for continued concern and vigilance by all who want to protect this community from becoming another host for these ill-conceived projects. … Continue Reading

An Open Letter to EDC Board President

January 24, 2011

Open Letter to Mr. Jerry McCreary, EDC Board President

From: Jim E. Moss, Globe Resident & Business Owner

Dear Mr. McCreary,

During CALL TO THE PUBLIC at the January 10 Globe City Council meeting, and through other public statements, you have raised several questions/issues that deserve a response.

Let me begin by saying that the SGCEDC, which you lead, is obviously comprised of very fine individuals trying to make positive decisions for our community.

Public policy debates can become overheated, and naturally it can be difficult to avoid personality clashes etc. Unquestionably, I have spoken out passionately for our position in this debate. Keep in mind — we the citizens, do not hold the ‘official’ reins of power. Therefore, in order to achieve our goal it has become necessary to build a grassroots coalition. In doing so,the political environment becomes lively, as the status quo is challenged. Democracy in action can get a bit testy — but we have attempted to conduct our entire campaign in a way that we can be proud of. … Continue Reading

Call to the Public: Citizens speak out against Prison

Last week, in a Call to the Public, local residents and business owners once again voiced their strong opposition to what is seemingly a handful of elected leaders intent on bringing a for-profit prison to Globe. (click the headline to see video)  The following video shows former EDC Director Melissa Woodall speaking on behalf of the community in a video produced to convince the DOC that Globe wants a prison. At the time the video was made, almost no one in the community was aware that the EDC and City of Globe was even pursuing this idea. So it’s hard to know just who she is referring to when she says the “community is thrilled.”

A dissapointment. Globe Mayor and 3 council members pass measure of support.

It was a packed house at Monday nites' Council meeting in which the Mayor and 1/2 the council passed a measure to send DOC Director Charles Ryan a letter of support for a prison. The vast majority of people in the audience that nite were there to protest such an action.

PRESS RELEASE — 1-25-11

From:  Jim Moss, Spokesperson, Citizens Opposed to Becoming a Prison Town

A “silent majority” wants a big private prison in Globe, according to several elected officials.  Sound familiar?  That’s a similar claim Richard M. Nixon made prior to being impeached.

Globe’s Mayor and four Council Members voted down a Citizen’s Resolution calling for leaders to cease their pursuit of a private prison for Globe.  It is no surprise.  At least now we know for certain where they stand.  Mayor Shipley, Vice Mayor Wilshire, and Council Members Uhl, Casillas, &  Alderman decided long ago they wanted a private prison project regardless of what citizens of Globe say.  This group is joined by Supervisors Dawson & Pastor, and EDC President McCreary.  These Officials ‘circled the wagons’ long ago, determined to bring a big For-profit to our town.  … Continue Reading

A Summary of the Prison Debate

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This page is intended as a compilation of information including a time line of the events surrounding the issue of locating a private prison here in Globe. We are in the process of gathering all the information which has been put forth to this date; from local news reports, the EDC, Chamber of Commerce, Globe Mayor and Council, Citizens Opposed to a Private Prison, the prison operators who pitched the project to the City, and State and National reporting.

The purpose is to keep information about this topic available and fresh in readers minds’ since the issue is far from dead in the Globe community. The State pulled the earlier RFP simply to re-write some of the security specs in light of the Kingman escape. A new RFP for 5000 beds to be added to the State system will be put to bid (again) to private prison contractors in the coming weeks.  … Continue Reading

City of Stockton Settles with California in lawsuit Over Prison Hospital Construction

The Emerald City: A Risky Partnership

By Vince Yanez

By: Linda Gross

Several months ago, the Globe City Council  in a 4-2 vote gave the green light to Private Prison developers; the Emerald Companies and James Parkey , to bring a private prison to Globe as part of  a DOC plan to build 5000 more beds in the State.

Since then, some who voted for the “green light” have admitted that they have reservations including: … Continue Reading