Globe is not becoming a ‘Prison Town’ any time soon.

The ‘official’ word is that Emerald Co. failed to secure state land for their prison proposal.  Does this mean that Emerald Co., the EDC, Globe’s Mayor and majority Council, and Gila County Supervisors —- did not perform the required due-diligence?  It is tempting to explain the news by declaring Local Officials incompetent.

But, we must give credit where credit is due — PEOPLE POWER prevailed.

It is likely that Emerald’s fate was sealed when the new Request For Proposal (RFP) was issued in January by AZDOC.  The new RFP added very specific language about state lands available for prison projects.  That restrictive new language was inserted into the updated RFP due to the powerful voices expressed by thousands of Globe area residents.  On November 16, 2010, a group of Globe residents met with State Officials and shared 2,500 petition signatures.  State Officials listened and respected the ‘will of the people’.  This crucial meeting was arranged and attended by Councilman Terry Wheeler.  His firm commitment and action for this Cause deserves respect and appreciation from the entire community.  Thank you, Mr. Wheeler.

Although we felt confident after meeting with State Officials, we understood that the money and power behind the private prison industry is immense.  And, we learned (if we had any doubts) at the January 24, 2011 Globe City Council Meeting, that Local Officials would say or do most anything to discredit our efforts, in order to bring a big private prison to Globe.

In the homestretch, it was decided that we should take nothing for granted, so we launched the Ballot Initiative Campaign on June 3.  Fifty volunteers gathered 1000 signatures in just 10 days!  We kept State Representatives and DOC Officials apprised of our progress.  In our haste to get this Initiative Campaign off the ground quickly, a few clerical errors were made on the forms submitted to City Hall.  I would have no qualms accepting full responsibility for these ‘technical’ errors, except for the fact that I specifically asked if there were any issues/concerns with the paperwork filed.  Instead of acting in good faith, as a citizen would expect from public servants — City Hall, under the direction of City Manager/Attorney Graves, and under the leadership of Mayor Shipley, chose to treat constituents as adversaries.  This has been their attitude and posture during this entire prison debate.  They chose to play a game of ‘gotcha’ to advance their political agenda, rather than serve the citizens that pay their salary or elected them to office.

Naturally, I share the disappointment and frustration over the petition paperwork glitch.  I apologize to all of the volunteers and citizens who placed confidence in my leadership, for allowing Mr. Graves and Mr. Shipley to sabotage our honest endeavors.  We could legally challenge the City of Globe, and win, on grounds that our paper work was in “substantial compliance” with the law.  To do so would cost the City and private citizens thousands of dollars to litigate.  There are better options.

Still, opportunity knocks.  There is a city election next March.  A change of leadership is the best solution to safeguard our community from future attempts to bring a private prison to Globe, and to restore good government to our community.

I salute every volunteer and petition signer for speaking out and standing up for our town.

Jim Moss, Globe Resident and Business Owner

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

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. 

They purposefully tried to keep this prison project quiet to avoid public controversy.  Now they claim there is a “silent majority” of Globe residents who really want their grand prison project, but are “afraid” to come forward and speak out!  That’s right — they choose to represent an imaginary “silent majority” — instead of respecting the wishes of 2,500+ area residents who signed a Declaration that Opposes a private prison project.
We thank Councilmen Wheeler and Baker for standing up for democratic principles, and for their steadfast opposition to bringing a private prison to our community.

This action by the Mayor and Majority of Council is deeply disappointing.  From the very beginning, they failed to conduct careful due-diligence.  Now, they realize they cannot win the debate on the merits or substance of their case, so they have resorted to personal attacks and false accusations.  Conduct truly unbecoming of elected representatives.
Although, we had hoped this matter would be settled by now, there remains much work to do.  We will continue to build community coalitions, will fight for what we believe is best for our community, and we intend to achieve our goal of stopping a private prison.

By Linda Gross

Jim Moss, who heads up Globe Citizens opposed to a private Prison, gave a ten minute presentation on Thursday to the Southern Gila County Economic Development Board who were instrumental in bringing the project to Globe. Although the State has temporarily pulled the RFP (Request for Proposal) on building more prisons by partnering with the private prison industry, the move is simply to allow them to re-write the RFP to include greater security standards. It is expected the project will be back on the table – soon.

Jim Moss, with Citizens Opposed to a Private Prison, addressed the EDC at this months Board meeting.

The talk was meant to be informational and provide the EDC Board with a greater understanding of the the groups efforts which have included a 3 month petition drive which has gathered over 2000 signatures and a more targeted post card mailing which reaches registered voters and allows them to write a brief comment on why they oppose this issue.

” Today our main purpose is to share with you what our group- Citizens Opposed to Becoming a Prison Town, is currently up to, and to convince you that the majority of folks in this town and the wide community do NOT want another prison.

As a brief recap, Moss went on to outline what the group has done in the last four months:

* Information which was research-based and included sections on both the economic and social impacts of private prisons and the industry itself.

*A general petition drive which had gathered as many as 1000 signatures by the time the group addressed Globe City Council on September 13th .   TODAY we have over 2000 signatures.

*A booth at the County Fair gained another 325 signatures, with people. “We spoke to hundreds of people during the fair and heard very few voices that supported a prison project.. Consistently over 4 months- whether at the Fair , out front of Safeway, volunteers going door-to-door, or residents visiting our retail shop – 70-80% of residents say they are opposed.

Moss acknowledged that elected officials and economic boards do not change their course of action easily and said, “Nor should they. However, sometimes, when substantial citizen opposition becomes apparent it is time to re-evaluate.”

Moss showed the Board a file of 2000+ signatures and 350 signed postcards from registered voters who oppose the prison

Our job, as Citizen Opposition Organizers/Leaders is to convince you that it is definitely time to re-evaluate. Ultimately, it is in the political arena that decisions are made. That public policy is determined. And, I think you will agree that elected representative’s power and authority rests with the people. Right?

So a few weeks ago we began our political ground campaign. We changed to a one-person-one-vote concept which has a much more powerful political impact. These postcards have been distributed throughout this area.

We are targeting registered voters, beginning in Council District 3. The preliminary results of this campaign has elicited over 200 registered voters who have thus far returned a post card – many with comments.

Out of 350 post cards we have exactly 1.5 cards supporting a prison.

Our plan is to go district by district by district. And to get over 2000 signed postcards from registered voters in Globe.

We continue to try to persuade elected officials and local leaders like all of you on the EDC Board. We truly want to find a positive way to bridge the impasse between local officials and the majority of citizens in our community.

It was reported in the Silver Belt a couple weeks ago, that a member of this (EDC) board, during a board meeting, accused our Opposition Team of “threatening certain Council Members.” We assume this person on your Board meant the threat of Recall? Actually, recall is a legitimate political tool that is sometimes necessary to exercise when elected officials refuse to listen to their constituents.Right? Honestly, we have not been pushing recall, even though Globe residents raise the question all the time. We have said from the beginning, recall is an absolute last resort.

(Jerry McCreary, EDC Board president, clarified the issue from his perspective and said the comment was merely from a member who had been asked by those of the Opposition group several times- 3 times- if they wanted a ‘button’ as they went in and out of Council Chambers the night of the Groups presentation. (The group was passing out No Prison Town stickers). The member felt threatened by this action. He was not aware of any Council member being threatened, although that is what was reported in the Silver Belt.)

Ian Lamont looks over the Opposition Postcard which Moss provided.

Moss continued, ” We have been urging a resolution from Council that reflects a majority “will of the people’ on this issue. We understand it does take time…A meeting with Arizona Legislators has been scheduled in November and we expect the DOC to be there. We will show them the postcards we have gathered and the comments from local citizens. ”

“Finally, we did not take up this cause to be spoilers of a grand idea, or to wave the flag of morality. We have done our homework. We believe that the evidence shows that a big prison (and the proposal is for one 3 times the size of the current State prison), in a small community such as ours bring problems, not solutions.  That, as a community, we should not be looking at incarceration as an economic development strategy, nor should be looking at inmates as “profit centers.”  That we should not be partnering with the unscrupulous Private Prison Industry.

That we, the citizens….and this community- can do better.”

NOTE: Moss asked for another meeting with the Board when they would have more time to discuss the issue and field questions.  McCreary has agreed, saying he would email the Board with several possible dates and find a convenient time for all. He noted that the Board would not be doing their duty if they were not open to all views. It is expected that this second meeting will take place within the next 3-4 weeks. Interested citizens are welcome to attend.

By: Linda Gross

(Update: Thursday)  This blog post was recently updated to reflect the correct source of the “Report on Prison Privatization” as being the Prison Corrections Institute”, and providing the actual PDF for readers to access.)

This week’s debate in the AZ Silverbelt, centers on public and employee safety.

Zache, speaking on behalf of the EDC who is backing the effort to bring a private prison to Globe, quotes Geoffrey Segal of the Reason Foundation, as identifying 17 studies that conclude “quality at private facilities is as good or better than at government-run facilities. Segal goes on to to tout the benefits of these private prisons ending with the statement that “there is clear and significant evidence that private prisons actually improve quality.”

Wow!  Sounds good. You can hardly question an organization with a name like the Reason Foundation, can you? Kinda like “Fly Safe Airways.” Just makes you want to book a flight.

Well, turns out the Reason Foundation which was established in 2004, is funded by the Private Prison Industry. We question politicians motives when we discover they are being bought off by special interests. Perhaps, before making a decision based on the claims of The Reason Foundation, and it’s spokesman, George F. Seagal, you might consider the roots of the organization.

In the same May 2010 press release by the Prison Corrections Institute refutes much of the Reason Foundation findings in a piece entitled: Report on Prison Privatization Plagued with Conflicts of Interest,Faulty data, Political Connections, PCI press release re Reason report 2010 (2)-2 . In it they also mention the American Correctional Association, also cited by Zache in this week’s debate as being a legit mechanism for accredidation. The PCI report differs on this point.

Bob Zache: Born and raised in Miami, Robert J. Zache graduated from Miami High School in 1955. After spending time in the U.S. Army and the mines, he graduated from ASU with a BA in Journalism, and went on to work for the Phoenix Gazette, Gila Pueblo College and the Arizona Silver Belt. He sits on the Board of EDC.

According to it’s website the facts listed by Zache, the American Correctional Association determines if a facility meets nationally accepted standards for quality of operation, management and maintenance. Zache says the association has accredited 10% of government-operated facilities and 44 % of private facilities. Good stuff. We should rest assured that ACA is watching over these facilities – atleast 44% of them – and making sure they meet State standards. Right?

Yet, what are we to make of the report on prison privatization above which says, “The report fails to mention that the ACA – a private, self-regulated organization composed of former and current corrections officials – receives revenue from private prison companies, which also sponsor the ACA’s biannual conferences”

And that same ACA was noted in a June 2010 article by the Boston Globe, “The ACA is probably most well known for its controversial accreditation program. “To prison chiefs and jail sheriffs nationwide, it is considered the Good Housekeeping seal of approval for corrections… But a closer look at the accreditation program of the American Correctional Association… shows that it has routinely accredited facilities beset by charges of abuse or poor conditions.”

Jim MossJim Moss Born at Miami Inspiration Hospital, 1955. Attended Globe-Miami schools through 8th grade. Graduate, Arizona State University; B.S., Political Science; B.A., Elementary & Secondary Education. Graduate, Northern Arizona University; Masters, Educational Leadership After career in Public Education, returned to hometown in 2003 with wife, Kelly, to create a new businesss: The Pickle Barrel Trading Post in Downtown Globe.

The Mayor, and Globe City Council, along with other local leaders seem to be taking “the word” of the private prison experts that we have nothing to fear. They say the promises are solid. The “facts”irrefutable” and the value of a private prison obvious.  In the words of George Segal who is referencing a study his group did with the Arizona Dept of Corrections , ” reading the study makes one wonder why all prison haven’t been turned over to private industry operators.”

Maybe.

Until you read those “other reports” not funded by Corrections Corp of America and the Private Prison Industry.

Weigh in this week on the AZ SilverBelt Debate:

View This Poll

Can you think of one significant community project resulting in improved quality of life — that did not require foresight and strategic planning?  Do you recall any major municipal improvement that came without a price tag, or without controversy?
So it shall be with a recent Globe City Council decision to move toward a revitalization of our Public Library.
Is the Council’s majority decision to purchase the real estate on both sides of the existing Library (as a first step toward revitalization) — an example of visionary leadership OR irresponsible city governance?
Change — especially change that carries a price tag is an easy target. Maintaining the status-quo is usually the safe bet.  No guts required of an elected official to ‘just say no’ to a major expenditure that may not seem absolutely necessary.  Bold leadership is always a risky proposition in the present tense.  Naysayers will surely raise persuasive, logical objections. Such as —

• Cost. The price tag does not justify the benefit.

• Need. The proposed change does not meet the highest priority needs threshold.

• Planning.  The decision to act now is premature — careful analysis was not undertaken.

• Timing.  The project may be worthwhile, but this is not the right time.

Seriously, are not these objections entirely appropriate and logical? Yes, indeed!  However, such objections can also represent the predictable mantra to resist change and progress.  Simply put — it is almost always easier and safer to stand in opposition.  Inaction appears to be cost effective and risk averse.  Citizens and their elected leaders can rest complacently if things are just kept the same as ‘they’ve always been’.  Just postpone the tough decisions for the next City Council, perhaps the next generation.
One person’s ‘pet project’ is another person’s ‘sign of progress’.  The kicker is how to discern the difference!  So, which is it?  Was the majority decision by the Globe City Council to commit public funds toward a major library revitalization project (in these tough economic times) an act of wasteful, reckless spending for a ‘pet project’ — or a shining example of visionary leadership?

The library is located on the south end of Broad street and is flanked by two unoccupied properties which are uninhabitable. The City has purchased these with the intent of expanding the library in it's current location and keeping this valuable community resource in the heart of downtown Globe.

A few observations by yours truly, reveals my inclination to support this decision by the Council.  First, I see no evidence that a revitalized Public Library represents a ‘pet project’ of any Council Member — meaning that any Council Member is going to benefit, financially or otherwise, more than any other member of the community.  Secondly, it appears fairly obvious that a real need does exist to develop a first-rate library complex that all citizens can utilize and be proud of. (Yes, community pride is immeasurably valuable, although not so easily $ quantifiable.)  Third, if the cost does not justify the benefit — it certainly will not be due to the fact that both adjacent properties were purchased at substantially depressed market prices.  Finally, regarding ‘timing’ — IF the current location of Globe’s Library is the preferred location, then capitalizing on the two adjacent properties while they were for sale — at attractive prices — sounds like pretty good timing.
We Globe-ites can choose to maintain the status-quo (of the past several decades), and allow aspects (& assets) of our City’s infrastructure, especially Historic Downtown, to decay and disappear — OR, we can choose to INVEST WISELY NOW in projects that improve the quality of life for everyone in our community, and move us toward a more prosperous future with a greater sense of community pride.
I, for one, commend the Globe City Council for taking this ‘forward-looking’ action to revitalize our Public Library.

Reflective Note:   I fully recognize, and it should be stated, that conversely it can also take real guts to stand firm in opposition to ‘popular’ but wasteful spending.  Of course, the trick is to know when to ‘hold’ vs. when to be ‘bold’!  In this case — I say, ‘BE BOLD’!

Floyd Crank, Mayor Fernando Shipley, Clay McReynolds of Pacific Companies, Supervisor Mike Pastor, Mark Shellenberger, Ed Dawson

It was a tough slog to get to this point according to the developer and political leaders who attended Friday’s ground breaking ceremony for a new 48-unit senior housing development. Despite being billed as a senior housing development with the express intent of serving an older population who face special needs and fixed incomes, there was local opposition to the project from those who felt the development might turn into a low-income, drug-infested housing development – or those who simply didn’t want a building development of this size “in their back yard.” It took over three years and multiple city hall meetings, planning and zoning debates, meetings at local and state levels and closed door meetings to arrive at a point where bulldozers could go in and break ground on the project.

The final approvals coincided with the economic upheaval in September of ’08 and while the events of ’08 caused a delay in the project, according to Clay McReynolds,  the investors and banks held firm in their support of this project. A final vote on the project was put before the Globe City Council. The vote was 3-For and 3-Against.  The tie vote generated a discussion to table the vote for more discussion, or vote again. It was decided to vote again and with it still tied it was Mayor Fernando Shipley who stepped in to break the tie and cast the deciding yes vote to insure the project moved forward.

Floyd Krank and Clay McReynolds are the dynamic duo which got the project underway.

An artist's rendition of "Madera Peak", shows a nicely landscaped development which will provide 64 senior apartments, a laundry room, pool, gym and other senior-friendly amenities.

“I have seen seniors in this community who have to decide between paying their mortgage or buying medicine. I’ve seen seniors living alone in un-safe conditions in old houses which they can’t afford the repairs,” said Shipley. It seemed to be the general consensus of those who have worked so tirelessly on this project that the time has arrived to provide a better housing alternative for Seniors.

The development will include 48 units, an on-site laundry, exercise room and pool…as well as a raised bed garden which was suggested and championed by Supervisor Shirley Dawson, early on in the planning process.

The Pacific Companies recently completed Cobre Village last year – a64 unit development- which is almost fully leased with families and children who meet certain income guidelines. Floyd Krank spoke at yesterdays ground breaking about that project, which also met with local opposition who feared “low income” meant problem neighbors. Instead he says, on any given day you can see 10-15 children playing in the center couryard, and there have been no problems with tenants thanks to the oversight of the management who carefully screens tenants history and maintain strict guidelines as to who can and can’t rent apartments at Cobre Village.  Krank, who sold the land to the Pacific Companies to develop and help to spearhead the approval process, is proud of that development and, as Clay Reynolds noted in his speech, ” Perhaps those who had concerns about this project will look back on it once it is up and running and say, “We may have been wrong. It is not what we feared.”

Floyd Krank and Globe Mayor, Fernando Shipley

Damolin is handling the intial earth work on the project

A crowd of approximately 50 attended Friday's Ground Breaking Ceremony

By: Linda Gross

The Globe City Council  voted last month, 3-2 to install photo radar in the city of Globe. The vote came after hearing public comment which ranged from concerns about Big Brother , and a perception that the cameras represent a violation of rights… to destroying the quality of small town life. Despite the emotions which ran high at the meeting, the effort of the Mayor and Council to stay the course and move forward with the contract to Redflex is grounded in a belief that a limited number of photo radar units will actually serve to protect small town life by making streets and roads safer for all who live and work in the area, as well as visitors who come here. They point to such dangerous stretches of road as the curve on Hwy 60 near DeMarcos where people pulling out into traffic have to compete with poor visibility and drivers going – on average- 20 miles over the 45mph posted limit.

Redflex Stationary Camera

According to Police Chief Dan Melvin there have been 585 accidents, 231 injuries and 4 deaths. And on Ash Street alone, where the High School borders the Highway there have been 123 accidents and 32 injuries. This is especially problematic since most people driving through our community are not aware of the High School and the likelihood of student pedestrian traffic.

Melvin acknowledged that he was initially against photo radar for some of the same reasons cited by local citizens; invasion of privacy, Big Brother etc. However. once he took a tour of the Redflex headquarters in Phoenix and did some additional research on the issue, he became supportive of the cameras. “Just consider the value to a local merchant of security cameras in his store. If someone steals merchandise, he has it on camera. We don’t consider that invasion of privacy. How is it that we consider cameras on public roads to catch speeders and red-light runners an “invasion of privacy?”

As for the argument that the cameras “make people guilty before they are tried, Melvin explains that the two options you have when handed a ticket by an officer is (1) pay the ticket as it stands or (2) go to court and argue your case. Drivers will have exactly the same options with tickets issued by photo radar. The term “reasonable and prudent” is used in applying the law and refers to the idea that if it is two in the morning and you are clocked at 60 instead of 45, it might be the reasonable and prudent thing to ignore the “violation.” The discretion of those reviewing the “violation” will be viewed the same whether it is photo radar or a uniformed police office which clocks you at 2am.

Melvin points to statistics which show accidents have decreased in areas which have photo radar. That, plus freeing up officers to pursue other issues which truly require one-on-one intervention from domestic violence calls to drug busts.

Globe Mayor, Fernando Shipley initiated the review of Photo Radar for the city after talking with the mayor of Star Valley, a relatively new community in Northern Gila County. Mayor Bill Rappaport reported a drastic reduction in speed on one stretch of highway which had a posted speed limit of 45. Prior to radar being installed the average speed on this stretch was 82 mph and there had been 8-12 accidents. Rappaport said after the cameras went in the average speed dropped to 43 and accidents fell by half. The community also receives revenue from the tickets which was another hot items in the public debate. Some felt the city was doing this just for the money.

While the income stream was not overlooked in reviewing the program for the local area, the program was first and foremost initiated because of its ability to reduce accidents and force people to slow down when going through our community.

City Manager, Kane Graves, negotiated a five year contract with Redflex with a one year “easy out”, whereby the City has the option of backing out of the contract with no penalties should they feel the program did not meet their expectations for any reason. This caveat gives both detractors and supporters of photo radar one full year to review the real-time data collected by Redflex on the local area instead of relying on stats from other communities (like Star Valley).

Since the mere mention of  Photo Radar conjures up such a love/hate battleground where successes and failures are held up by both sides as proof-positive that they are right and the opposition is wrong, the advantage of a year long trial basis – which is what the one-year “easy out” option- really is all about, gives some breathing room to both sides to get some much-needed facts on how the program works in our community.

Here is how it will work:

On the issue of Safety:

The Globe Police department has identified the most dangerous sections of road in the area. They include the stretch of Ash/Hwy 60 which borders Globe High School, the intersection at Hwy 60 and Main (Oak Realty), the intersection at Hwy 60 and State Rte 188 (Judy’s Cookhouse), the intersection of Hwy 60/70 and the entrance to the Historic District at Ash & Broad Street. (Entrance at the train trestle) and Hwy 60/70. Photo Radar will be installed at four of these locations and a fifth- mobile unit- will be moved around and used to address other problem areas as needed.

On the issue of Citations & Enforcement

The cameras will only record drivers going 11 miles or more over the posted speed limit. The tape on all “possible citations” will first be reviewed by three Redflex employees to determine extenuating circumstances such as “Did the driver have to accelerate to pass a large truck? Or did construction in the area obscure signs” etc. After the tapes are reviewed and approved by Redflex, they are sent to the City to be reviewed. The process will be handled by a Globe police officer or a trained and deputized individual. If the City approves the evidence submitted only  then will Redflex send out citations to the drivers. Tickets will be based on the existing rate structure – ie, higher fines for higher speeds- but Redflex takes $35 (or about 25%) and the balance of the citation is divided between city,county and state – as are all court fees. The monies received by the City for this program “will go into the general fund and be prioritized in addressing the needs of the community.”

On the contract and upfront costs

Redflex will incur all upfront costs of the program including (5) cameras and all administrative and field personnel required to maintain and manage the program. The costs of each camera is estimated at $150,000 and with the added overhead of personnel and oversight of the program it is estimated that the company will put out nearly $1 million the first year with no guarantee the contract will make it past that time period.

Redflex, which is an Australian company, has operated in the United States for nearly 20 years and employees over 400 people at their headquarters in Phoenix. According to their website, they have provided photo radar services to 240 communities in 21 states throughout the United States and hold the contract with Star Valley which was negotiated through the County two years ago. The contract which the City of Globe negotiated with Redflex drew on a joint agreement between the County and City which allows the City to take advantage of contracts negotiated by the County. This meant City Manager, Kane Graves, could “tag on” to the county agreement which has a preferred rate over any current rates.