Of course, there’s growth for the sake of things like housing and entertainment, say, and then there’s growth with the possibility of employment opportunities. We’ve learned an important lesson over the past year and a half about a scenario seeming like an opportunity for growth (JOBS! JOBS! JOBS!), only to discover (if one did a bit of research) that this ‘opportunity’ would’ve actually been a death knell, a swan song of the most tragic sort. If a thousand-bed private prison was actually built in our area, we wouldn’t just be kissing off tourism and future incoming businesses- a lot of us would’ve packed up and left. I know I would have.

And now, interestingly enough, the Arizona Republic’s Bob Ortega has just concluded a four-part expose on the private prison industry- the gore, the graft and the greed. Thank God the citizens of this community- not the City Council, and not the County Supervisors-had the sense of duty and clear thinking to stop it.

You know what the new joke is around town? The City Council is welcoming bids from nuclear waste management firms… because the medical waste management people went elsewhere.

Frankly, I’d love a few new stores around town, and while I bitch about chain stores and restaurants in general, there is the uniformity thing to consider- in atmosphere and in manner. How great it is to be thanked for my business- how nice when I am acknowledged as I enter a shop. Granted, most of our Globe shopkeepers, waitresses and clerks are terrific. I’ll tell you flat out there are one or two stores in town I wouldn’t set foot in if my hair was in flames and they sold fire extinguishers. But overall, I feel more comfortable on Broad Street than I ever did at a Valley strip mall.

I make it a point to be friendly- it’s who I am- and I genuinely enjoy meeting other people. This is why I work in retail myself- it’s sort of a prerequisite. It’s actually nice to be nice- and if I forget that for a minute, I remind myself that without our customers I wouldn’t have a job.

As far as more choices, my needs are different. I live alone. I’m middle-aged. I’ve done all the nightclubbing I ever wanted to do, and I did it a helluva lot better than the kids do today. I’m also not a big shopper. ‘Retail Therapy’ sounds like a bad reality show. Then again, I don’t have a wife and six kids who like to eat out and buy lots of stuff that’ll break in a few weeks. That’s why God put both McDonald’s and Wal-Mart in Globe. I can understand why folks drive to the Valley- it’s all about choices- but if in fact one looks at patriotism from a slightly different angle, isn’t shopping locally the All-American way to live?

Word is the Chamber of Commerce held a Customer Service seminar a week or so ago- kudos to them; it’s a great idea, and I hope they offer further sessions. When your customer is comfortable, secure and satisfied, chances are he’ll keep coming back. What we sometimes forget is that we’re all each other’s customers at some point, whether cash is exchanged or not. We work with and for each other. We help each other out, look out for each other, and take care of each other. This is why it’s important to know what’s happening in our community, to ask the tough questions and demand honest answers. Personally, I’ve learned a helluva lot by going to City Council meetings- I’ve seen who has the guts to say what’s right, and have heard those who whine, rationalize and dictate. It’s an education, believe me.

It takes a village to raise a village is what I’m saying, and we are all responsible for what happens to us in the end.

It’s Official.  No private prison for Globe.

AZ Department of Corrections informed Emerald Co. that their bid did not fulfill RFP requirements.

AMAZING!  How could it be that so many local leaders —- EDC President McCreary, Mayor Shipley, Vice-Mayor Wilshire, and Supervisor Dawson —- spent more than a year (and who knows how many taxpayer dollars) steering THEIR private prison project idea to a DEAD END?

Of course, they will spin this outcome so that Emerald Co. gets the blame.  They will not take responsibility for failing to secure a private prison project for our community.  And, rest assured, they will not acknowledge the plain TRUTH —- that PEOPLE POWER PREVAILED.

The first battle has been won, but there remains some unfinished business.  Next, citizens can safeguard our community from future attempts to make Globe an Arizona Prison Town, by voting for both Ballot Initiatives at Globe’s next municipal election in March.

“The truth of what you believe in is what you do about it.” P. Darrow

Jim Moss, Globe Resident & Business Owner

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!

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

There are two initiatives in accordance with the law and the way these things have to be written. Each initiative can only pertain to one issue, so one initiative is titled: “Voters Must Approve New Prison in Globe Act” and a second initiative is titled: “No City Resources Spent on New Prison Act.” The language of both initiatives have been carefully drafted to put voters in the drivers seat when it comes to siting a new prison or using local infrastructure and resources for a new prison in our community. This is a big decision which will impact the community going forward and should not be left in the hands of a few elected officials who think they know best.

Jim Moss explains the petition drive and the ballot initiatives to a crowd of 40 who had gathered for the launch.

Both exclude correctional facilities owned or operated by the City or County Jail or Gila County Sheriffs’ office.

There has been much debate over the issue of a prison, and while a few City and County leaders like to point to “a silent majority” without any proof of such support, the Citizens Opposed have gathered thousands of signatures and postcards from those firmly opposed. Still, the most democratic and clear path to settle this issue of how our resources are to be used and whether a prison is the best ‘economic development’ idea anyone can come up with for our community….is a VOTE. Your Vote.

The Ballot Initiative will allow every registered voter to weigh in on this issue. As it should be.

So whether you are for or against a private prison here, remember that by signing the petition you’ll help put this issue to a vote in March, and that friends and neighbors is good old fashioned American Democracy in action!

The Ballot Initiative will give registered voters a voice.

Press Release: Citizens Opposed   We are reprinting in it’s entirety to share with our readers.

Public Information/Press Release

TWO Ballot Initiatives are being launched by Citizens of Globe, AZ who do not want their
community to become another rural Arizona Prison Town.

These TWO Ballot Initiatives are closely related, but have distinct purposes. (see attached)

The first Ballot Initiative is titled, VOTERS MUST APPROVE NEW PRISON IN GLOBE ACT. It
requires Voter approval for any new prison constructed within Globe’s City Limits.

The second Ballot Initiative is titled, NO CITY RESOURCE SPENT ON NEW PRISON ACT. It
requires Voter approval for any municipal resource to be spent or utilized for any new prison
construction project within, or outside Globe’s jurisdictional boundaries.

Citizens have launched these TWO Ballot Initiatives because local elected officials refuse to
pass a Resolution that would prohibit a 1000 to 2000 – bed proposed private prison from being
constructed in the Globe community.

Nearly a year ago, citizens began speaking out in opposition to a proposed private prison
project. More than 2,500 area residents signed a Declaration of Opposition to such a prison,
and implored elected officials to pass a Resolution that would safeguard their community
from the private prison ‘industry’. These elected officials refused to act on behalf of their
constituents. Globe residents continue to ask, “If they don’t represent the citizens of this
community, then who do they represent?”

The Arizona Constitution provides for citizens to “Initiate”, or propose laws or measures that
are enacted by a direct vote of the people. The citizens of Globe are now taking action to
accomplish what their elected representatives refused and failed to do.

Citizens of Globe must gather 582 signatures to place these TWO Initiatives on the ballot at the
City’s next regular election in March, 2012. Registered Voters of Globe, Arizona will ultimately
decide the outcome of this very important community issue.

The Committees organizing these TWO Ballot Initiative Campaigns are receiving legal counsel
from the Phoenix Law Firm, Perkins Coie, LLP. Attorney, Rhonda L. Barnes, can be reached at
602-351-8305 or RBarnes@perkinscoie.com.

June 3, 2011

Jim E. Moss, Committee Chairman

480-540-1279 or mossjim13@hotmail.com

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I can’t believe I am sitting at High Desert Middle School’s auditorium waiting to see the Globe High School Band, and the Miami High School Band and Choir perform together in a concert. For all I know this is a first time event. I feel as if we are on the brink of a monumental moment. Our communities share families, students, visitors. We share jobs, businesses, parks. We share the community events that bring us all together. It feels inspiring that Globe and Miami bands have collaborated, embracing a new tradition, setting aside an ancient tradition of fierce rivalry.

This is progress! I grew up in Miami, my mother grew up in Miami, my grandmother grew up in Miami. My great-grandparents, moved from Juarez, Mexico to Miami, Arizona around 1900. I have roots there. I visit Miami and contribute to businesses. I have friends who live in Miami. I work and live in Globe. My children attend Globe schools, one having already graduated from Globe High School. I have friends who live in Globe. I have roots here. Our communities are combined in my mind. Separate, but whole. United. I have found I do not need any misplaced loyalty to either town. We are more connected than divided.   And, I have noticed, there seems to be a new understanding of the need of our communities aligning. One town’s success, is the other town’s success. We impact one another with our decisions, good or bad.

This concert of merging minds, and musicians, coupled with hard work, and passion is a joy. In my mind I begin to see this event as a catalyst for change. I see future events between towns and schools. Art shows, perhaps even class credit exchanges between high schools, especially if there is a lack of a qualified teacher at either school. For all I know this could already be happening, so if it is, leave a comment. I also start dreaming of one of those miles long antique/yard sales, that runs from the west of Miami to the east of Globe. I have a keen sense of visualization, and I can see the treasure I find at this collaborative sale. A rhinestone broach, a piece of American pottery, a book of botanical prints, and maybe even an old watering can. I smile at the image and bring myself back to the moment.

Seats are filling up. I feel so grateful I did not fall into the temptation to just collapse after work. I am glad I am here with my daughter. I want her to be inspired by these young musicians and this event. Looking around, I realize I hope everyone is inspired tonight. And in my usual visualizing mind I begin to see global change brought on by tonight’s concert. If Globe and Miami schools can come together in a celebration of music performed by their students, then who knows, maybe the animosity held by towns, cities, countries, and lands across the world will dissipate into oblivion. It could happen. You never know where critical mass may begin. It could begin here. Or should I say, it is beginning.

Nolan Frost, Miami High School Band and Choir director, and Richard Franco, Globe High School Band director, each told their own story of inspired and dedicated students, hardworking booster clubs, generous sponsors, and faithful families. Their outpouring of gratitude cheered my heart. And I certainly was not the only person who saw the significance of rivalry transcended. Nolan Frost called music a “thrilling language,” and it is. Music moves. It resonates through us, connecting us. It fuels our moods and desires. Music wraps us up in color and light. We have created, and continue to create original music, instruments, and musical thought. Music is a part of who we are as a species. Brain research indicates that humans may be “hard wired” for music appreciation, and not from just one part of our brain, but from many different areas of the brain. It is a language that doesn’t necessarily need a translation. I can be fully engrossed in the opera, La Traviata, by Giuseppe Verdi, yet I do not speak Italian. I can listen to a piece of music with no words, yet it speaks to me. Music is magic.

Richard Franco expressed much gratitude to the parents and families of his band students. He recognizes their everyday dedication to their children. He stressed the importance of parents in the lives of their children. He understands what it means to be a good parent because his parents are role models. He completely appreciates his parents for his successes. He praised his students for their diligence to playing music at Globe High School. Mr. Paul Allison, president of Globe High Booster Club, was introduced as the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. Mr. Allison further remarked on this portentous gathering. He also praised the students, and the community support. He also sent out a plea for further support of the schools’ endeavors to continue music education at our districts. He emphasized the value of music to education as a whole.
Ms. Cindy Parravano Globe High School principal spoke also. She likened being a band member to an athlete. She admired the band members’ drive and spoke how they worked as hard as an athlete. Ms. Parravano was funny and entertaining as she spoke, remembered how her siblings practiced band when she was a child. She commented on the importance of our Miami and Globe students working together for this concert.

Mr. Allison introduced the first performer LeeAnna Gourdin, who played a piano solo, Can You Feel the Love Tonight, from Walt Disney’s Lion King. What an appropriate song to begin the Concert. The Globe High School Groovers, played a fun mix of Bob Marley, Step N Wolf, Michael Jackson, Neil Diamond, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, arranged by Richard Franco, who also played the drums. These kids were high energy and seemed to be enjoying themselves which was communicated through their music to the audience. The Miami High School Choir performed next. They were not accompanied by music. They sang Lollipop, and a folk song, The Water is Wide. These young women did a great job singing and I honestly would like to have heard more. I could pick out some very strong voices from the choir. The Miami High School Band played next. They played five beautiful and moving selections. The second piece was called Dance Dirigble by Nolan Frost. The music had an nice exotic feel. Globe High School Band followed with four numbers. The music was well executed and well received. The Globe and Miami Bands combined played , An American Hymntune, by Robert Sheldon. The audience was enthusiastic of each school’s efforts. There were standing ovations, cheers, and ardent applause. The audience went crazy after the last song was played. Standing, clapping, and cheering, the audience was obviously inspired by these performers and their teachers.

The efforts of the band directors, Richard Franco and Nolan Frost need to be commended. Thank you for having inspired foresight for the potential of collaboration and future collaboration between our schools. Kudos to the students and all the people who help in the band enterprises. These undertakings make positive change.

The next day, I asked Mr. Franco and Mr. Nolan if they would give me a few words about the concert. Here are their insightful words. Mr. Franco wrote: “Last night was a culmination of months of work. Looking back on it I would have to say that it was an overwhelming success. The students for both schools prepared extremely well and put together an amazing show. I am grateful for all their hard work and dedication to music. I look forward to working with Miami in the future. It was an awesome and great event for the community.”
Mr Frost wrote: “It is always so exciting when you get a bunch of musicians together. Both music programs are in a rebuilding phase right now, and I think the energy and passion is palpable. Playing with your peers adds something special to what we already love doing. To bring both the communities of Miami and Globe together to celebrate the talent of this generation of young people is long overdue. Wherever you are from, the future of our young people is thrilling and something to be nurtured. As adults we need to be careful not to vicariously live out all of our own passions and prejudice in our young, but allow them to fulfill their own promise.” Mr. Frost went on to state: “I am so proud with what Miami’s Music Program has accomplished this year. We have grown together both as musicians and humans. The love of what we do is infectious and makes teaching for me, a joy! Everyday, we get together first period and wish we could stay in band and choir all day.”
Mr. Franco and the Globe school system has been extremely gracious and generous and I greatly look forward to our continued connection. As a music teacher, I know so very well that success depends strongly on parents, administration and the community. We are ambassadors for our art.
Thanks for giving us the opportunity to perform in your great auditorium. We are looking forward to Globe’s visit to our auditorium next year.”

And I thank you both for giving our communities something to look forward to.

Kudos to those who are gutsy enough to get out there and share a bit of their soul. And kudos to all those that come out to support them.

By: Laura Baker

Note: This is a reprint from an article Laura wrote for the GlobeMiamiTimes. Featuring the Romero’s amazing garden which supplies the region with a plethora of options for growing chilis,tomatoes and herbs.

Image via Wikipedia

I remember the first time I drove through Six Shooter Canyon.  The wind was cool and the sun danced merrily through the tall trees that lined the narrow road.  The quaint houses and the quiet street were a refreshing change to the smog, the crowds, and the miles of asphalt spidering across the Phoenix Valley.  There, nearly at the end of the road, I spotted a weather-worn sign that read “Sunrise & Sunset Chile & Herb Garden.”  We parked like we were visiting old friends and entered a small fenced yard.  There I met Pat & Manuel Romero, owners of the Sunrise & Sunset Chile & Herb Garden, who casually asked what they could do for us.  Where to begin?  The perimeter was lined with young tomato and pepper plants, a center table was filled with a plethora of herbs, and to the right was a greenhouse filled with every kind of chili plant.  After perusing Pat’s three-ring binder and circling the premises several times, I finally left with a few tomato plants, a white bell pepper, some kitchen herbs, and a little plant called yarrow that Pat threw in for “fun.”

But, in fact, I came away with much more. Visiting the Salsa Gardens (as it is sometimes called) is no Wal-Mart experience.  The Romeros don’t simply welcome you into a store; they welcome you into their garden, their outdoor home, a place grown from patience, hard work, and a passion for plants.  They tell you stories, remember your name (or at least your face), and with gracious familiarity help you take home a little garden.   The plants themselves are as refreshing as the people who sell them.  They were not prepared in bulk, at the lowest cost possible, in some far away place.  No, each plant began its life on the Romero’s kitchen table as a tiny seed, was nurtured all winter in the warmth of their home, and then hardened for the spring, awaiting their final destination in your garden.

The Sunrise & Sunset Chili and Herb garden is the inspiration for many awesome Salsa Gardens throughout this area!

Exotic Plants..and more

While the personal touch drew me in, the sheer variety found at the Sunrise & Sunset Garden sold me as a return customer.  Where else can you find white, purple, or brown bell peppers or tomatoes that range from pink, white, orange to zebra-stripped?  Pat’s personal favorite is the fatalii chili pepper, the African equivalent of the habanero pepper.  Even Ace and Walmart recognize they can hold nothing over the little garden and refer customers seeking something more unique to the Salsa Gardens.  In fact, customers come from all over the area from as far away as Apache Junction, Dudleyville, and Roosevelt.

60 Varieties of Tomatoes…

While today the Chile & Herb Garden attracts visitors from all over, its beginnings were humble.  The Romero’s first sold their seedlings at yard sales.  Impressed with the quality of the plants, friends and neighbors encourage the Romero’s to sell more. So, in 1996, they began their little store with a few plants and one small greenhouse.  Since then the greenhouse has expanded and the number of plants has grown to about three to four thousand, with 50 to 60 varieties of tomatoes, 70 kinds of chilis, and about 25 to 30 types of sweet peppers, not to mention a whole host of herbs.  Despite this growth, the Romero’s remain community-minded.  Every year, they donate plants to places such as the senior center, nursing homes, or the food bank, and their final weeks of profit to the St. Andrea’s Children’s Clinic in Nogales, Mexico.

Sunrise and Sunset Chile and Herb Garden Open for Business

The Sunrise and  Sunset Chile and Herb Garden is open from the first or second week in March till the first week in June.  Their regular hours are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM, but Pat assures me that if you find her there other times she’ll help you out then too.  As a small seasonal business, they don’t take credit cards, so bring cash.  The tomatoes and peppers are $2.50 each and herbs are $3.25 ea. They are located at 9149 Six Shooter Canyon Road, Globe, AZ.  They can be contacted via email peppers@cableone.net or by phone at 928-425-6218.

I must admit that buying a plant from the Romero’s does not guarantee a “green thumb,” but I believe it does something even better: it inspires a “green heart.”  So this year, whether you are preparing an elaborate garden or just hoping to grow a little something in a pot, make sure to visit the Sunrise and Sunset Chile and Herb Garden.  And who knows maybe this summer you will find yourself having a salad with zebra-striped tomatoes and purple bell peppers!

The Albino Red Tail Hawk one week before it was found shot

Pam Roberts’ couldn’t believe her luck in spotting the albino red tail hawk circling high above her while she was out riding last week. “We watched it for a long time and it perched on a branch for awhile, giving us a good look.”  It came back several days later and she and her daughter spotted it again near their barn.

While albinism is more likely to occur in red tail hawks than in other birds of prey, it is still a rare and glorious occasion to catch one on film or be graced with the sight of a large white hawk  soaring above you.

And so it was a sad day when Pam ran across this same bird – with a bullet which pierced it’s wing. The bird was shot for target practice. It’s body left to rot on the ground. Pam says she found him near the jeep trail which intersects the blue property line (of FMI) to just to the left of the stock pond. The area is out near the Gila County Fair Grounds.

She brought the bird to us in hopes that getting out the information may encourage someone to come forward who knows something about the shooting. It is against the law to shoot these birds. And what person in their right mind would do so anyway?! There is a substantial fine if Arizona Fish and Game can make a case. It helps that Pam kept the bird and the bullet.

Now all that is needed is someone to come forward with information about who took aim at this magnificent bird and killed it – for target practice.

The AZ Game and Fish Department “may offer a reward of up to $500 on information that leads to the arrest of person or persons” responsible for the killing the white red-tailed hawk.  Please refer to case # 11-000315 when calling.  You may remain confidential and you do not have to be present in court.

Operation Game Thief line: 1- 800-352-0700

Photo by Jim Brown. Hawk in flight

Pam Roberts, who lives out by the Gila County Fairgrounds discovered the bird shot, and his body decaying near the stock pond.

The Hawk was first spotted near 'Blevins'. It's body was found near the stock tank. The Map shows the land out by the Gila County Fairgrounds.

The bullet entry is from a rifle - not a shotgun.

We seem to have entered a phase in local politics where the public voice simply seems to be an inconvenience to those in power. Something to deal with – rather than listen to.  And no, I’m not talking about what is happening in Wisconsin, although there are some parallels. No, I’m referring to our own elected leaders in Globe who have insisted on pushing through a private prison project despite significant citizen opposition.  Recently they paid $700 to put ads in the local papers identifying what they say are the “Facts” about a private prison in Globe.

Debating these ‘facts’ Jim Moss, spokes person with Citizens Opposed, and Micky Nye with the Chamber of Commerce and EDC were on KIKO’s Open Line at 9:30 both yesterday and today. We hope to post those debates in their entirety here, on this site, later this week. One of the issues discussed today was a DVD which was produced by the Emerald Companies and shown at a closed door meeting nearly a year ago to handful community and politicos to help “sell” the idea.  We acquired a copy of that DVD and have posted it here for your review.

When ex-EDC Director ingratiatingly says the community is “thrilled” with the project, she must have been speaking about present company, since very few in the community even knew of it’s existence at the time the DVD was produced.

Here are just FOUR of the False Facts reviewed in the KIKO debates :

False Fact #1: The State of Arizona guarantees usage of the building for 20 years at 90% occupancy.

Unless, of course, the State of Arizona chooses to exercise the opt-out clause in the RFP which excuses the State from this ‘guarantee’ if the legislature determines it is not in their best interest to keep populating these prison facilities.

**And at least one staunch Republican legislator is making a strong case for moving away from building more prisons and incarcerating more prisoners. This Mesa Republican, Cecil Ash, represents the 18th district and he points out that if the State continues it’s current course it will incur an additional $979 million over and above the $949 million the State already spends!  He relays an actual case of a man who stole a $200 bicycle and was sentenced to 8.5 years. At the average cost of $22,000 per prisoner per year, that means tax payers are now spending $160,000 for that $200 criminal. Ash, and others, simply point to a plain truth. The current system is simply un-sustainable. To believe that the State is going to continue to find ways to fund greater incarceration rates on the backs of tax payers is to live in La La Land.  See: Cecil Ash/ Issues

FalseFact 2: Comparing the one escape from our local State-run prison to the safety record of privately-run prisons is a phony factoid. Remember Kingman where the alarm had been going off every 20 minutes for months and guards ignored it? The track record of prisons which are operated by the for-profit entities including Correction Corp of America, MTC, Emerald and others, fall short of those State-run facilities for *security, *pay scale, and *training. Private prison fact sheet 2009(2)

False Fact #3: “We are not creating another industry, just adding to one that is already here.” This is a direct quote by Jerry McCreary, EDC who was part of a short video created by the Emerald Companies to convince the State DOC that this community supported the idea of a private prison.  In actuality, there is not ONE private prison operating in Gila County and this issue has never been approved by the voters of this area.

False Fact #4: “There is a significant amount of work done by inmates, including clean ups along side highways, making bicycles …and helping out Besh Ba Gowah.”  OK, here’s a question for you dear reader. Just how many inmates have you seen working around the area? Ten? Twenty? Well, that would appear to represent less than  10% of our current prison population.

Hey, I’m all for putting these guys to work on behalf of good causes like cleaning up the roadways. But until we have all 350 inmates at the State run prison out on the roads cleaning up trash, I don’t think it’s a valid argument to say we need to house 1000 MORE inmates within our City Limits, to do some community service. That’s lame don’t you think?

Recently, Citizen’s Opposed requested that this controversial issue be put to the voters by placing it on the upcoming ballot in May. They have even agreed to pay for the costs if they loose this vote. (This option was actually suggested by Councilwoman Thea Wilshire a month ago during a council meeting in which a citizen suggested putting it to a vote.)

Wilshire wondered aloud that such a vote might be costly, and perhaps “The Citizens Opposed would be willing to pick up the cost.”

The opposition has agreed to that and a letter requesting a public vote in May has now been circulated to the the Mayor and Council members. Will they agree to settle this issue by putting it to a vote ?

Spring is right around the corner- I can feel it. We’re sure to have a few more weeks of cold weather, with those few odd, uplifting days of promising sunshine and tepid breezes, but I can wait. Spring means soft tee shirts and planting stuff in the ground and sitting outside drinking iced tea while waving back at folks in pickup trucks who honk a howdy. Even my dogs know it’s in the air, this promise of change, the reminder that we really do have ‘seasons’ in Southeastern Arizona.

My hands have been frozen solid as a Stouffer’s entrée since October. While other people might cook meatloaf and mashed potatoes in a toasty kitchen, or build a cozy fire and watch reality shows, I keep moving around to stay warm and to keep my mind occupied. I don’t cook (it’s all about patience and I missed that gene) and while I did set a fire once, the charges were later dismissed. For every degree I raise the thermostat, the gas company charges me an additional thousand dollars (or something like that) and so to keep the blood flowing I began a physical exercise regimen three months ago. This isn’t resistance training and free weights, kids- it’s more along the lines of squats, curls and crunches- which sounds like something you’d munch on while watching reality TV. There is now a spring in my step to go with the coming Spring in the air, and I now grin at everyone and usually don’t mind waiting in line at the Safeway, even if I’m stuck behind a teenaged mom with three crazed keening kids. Life feels- renewed. Relaxed. Reinvented and re-imagined. And really, really good.

I’ve met someone (can you tell?) and while prior experience and (hopefully) a particle of wisdom has taught me not to put the U-Haul trailer before the sedan, this simple thing- connecting with another human being again- seems to have made some dramatic and dynamic changes in the way I view Life lately. It’s as if Life was seen through a dirty windshield, and then a crazy guy with a squeegee and a plastic bucket popped up out of nowhere and wiped all of the grime away. We talk- for hours- and it feels so good to laugh again. Lucky me, lucky us.

Perhaps a trip, then- somewhere exotic and different, someplace fun and new, yet politically stable. I guess that would be Cleveland, given world events as of late. We’ll go on a trip and send home lots of glossy, garish postcards- having a wonderful time, glad you’re not here (our friends will understand) and we’ll use ‘Forever’ stamps because- it’s scary to think it- maybe this will be ‘forever’.

Once home, Spring will fold into Summer and the hollyhocks will be a series of exclamation points against a perfect sky. If there’s one thing I’ve learned since moving to Globe, it’s that digging through nine yards of caliche is more than worth it when the blooms burst forth from the ground. Porchulacha, lantana, my four o’clocks- even pansies and impatiens. The irises will be up again, only this time in a double dose, and the butterfly bush I put in last year will certainly do its best to earn it’s name. The ornamental pear Linda gave me is already starting to bud- little pink gems the color of a baby’s lips- and when the kaleidoscope of snapdragons rise again, I’ll be as surprised as I am every year that this occurs so quickly.

I am surprised even now, at this early stage, to feel this fortunate. Spring is actually early this year.

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.

Performing at Miami Highschool Auditorium

Her performance last night included personal requests from her Globe-Miami hosts including “Funny Valentine” which she dedicated to her sister who was in the audience last night, and “The Music of the Night” from the Phantom of the Opera.  Gravelle is an accomplished pianist, as well as singer-songwriter, and this was evident in “Spanish Rain,” a piece written and produced by Gravelle.

Gravelle singing "Seat Up. Seat Down", a rendition of an on-going argument between Men and Women.

Yet, it was her performance of her own songs which really showcased her talent and rapport with the audience. In songs and lyrics, Gravelle took the audience from a nostalgic memory of childhood in “Smokin’ Candy Cigarettes,’ to the uproarisly funny rendition of “Seat Up. Seat Down” (You KNOW what that was about!), to my favorite, “The Right Side of the Grass,” which reminds us in these hard times to be grateful that we are not 6ft under.

Lindy Gravelle not only is a talented singer-song writer, but a warm and engaging entertainer who had last nights audience thoroughly wrapped around her finger.

Kip Culver, Jean Sipe and Lindy pull the winning tickets in a surprise raffle last night which netted 2 lucky ticket holders complimentary tickets for the Copper Spike Dinner Train.

Short Performance at the Train Depot: Gravel to be at Depot Saturday 26th

She will be coming BACK to the Globe community next Saturday to ride the Copper Spike Dinner Train and has agreed to a short performance in the Depot prior to boarding. So if you missed last nights performance, plan to get over to the Depot for a listen. It’s worth it!

As for the Globe-Miami Community Concert Series, they will be publishing next seasons line up and we will update the web page HERE with all the new information. Season Tickets are just $35 for an individual and includes ALL concerts.