Posted on 11/22/2011 9:26:00 AM PST by Lucky9teen
Citizens for a Better Arizona say they can ignore voters 'at their own peril'
PHOENIX (KGUN9-TV) – The group that successfully launched the effort to recall former Senate President and immigration hardliner Russell Pearce has set its sights on two new targets: Governor Jan Brewer and Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
Because Arpaio is running for office in 2012, organizers are now focused on efforts to prevent him from getting reelected for the sixth consecutive time. As for Brewer, the group is asking for volunteers to gather signatures for a possible recall. The number of signatures needed to recall an Arizona governor is 432,021.
“People are now aware that voters do have this power and so elected officials that ignore them do so at their own peril,” said Chad Snow, cofounder of Citizens for a Better Arizona, at a press conference in Phoenix Monday afternoon.
Organizers have a message for Governor Jan Brewer.
“Come back from your book tour. Come back to Arizona and focus on things that are important,” said Randy Parraz, president of the group. “We’re not limited to Legislative District 18. This is a countywide effort. We’re talking about engaging people on school boards, at city council, moving resolutions across this county.”
Parraz said Brewer’s priorities should be jobs, education and the economy. They’re also asking the Governor to stop meddling in the redistricting process and to stop using the immigration issue to divide the state.
“We were here on January 6 having a very similar conversation directed at Senator Pearce. We told him to focus on jobs, education and the economy and he ignored that,” Snow said. “I think the same message can go to Joe Arpaio and Jan Brewer.”
Citizens for a Better Arizona is also targeting Sheriff Joe Arpaio, whom they say is abusing power and neglecting his law enforcement duties by focusing too much on illegal immigration.
However, Arpaio’s supporters – protesting at the press conference – disagree.
“The Sheriff is doing his job, what he’s elected to do. We got an illegal Mexican alien invasion here and it has to stop,” said Anthony Malconz. “He’s been exonerated. He’s beaten every effort to get him out of office … He’s doing something right.”
Playing off Arpaio’s volunteer posse, Citizens for a Better Arizona announced the creation of a citizens posse.
“We have heart, we have determination and we have passion. And we’re going to work together during the next few months to hold this Sheriff accountable,” Parraz said.
However, opponents of efforts against Brewer and Arpaio do not believe Citizens for a Better Arizona will be successful.
“They can try to pursue their goals, but they’re not going to have any luck. Mesa was a microcosm,” said Kathryn Kobor, a supporter of the Sheriff who attended the press conference.
LOL!!! It’s Coconino County, home of the Lumberjacks!
I lived in Phoenix for many years, and was just as guilty as the next person of thinking we were all of Arizona.
Living down here on the border has changed that perception.
The recall was a well-done bit of political shenanigans and you’re right, Pearce did not help himself at all.
But if we want our folks to stay in office, we need to help them. The Dims will work their butts off to get the change they want.
Got it. But, help me, do you refer Coconino as “down here” and it is north of Maricopa?
No question you guys have some of the most beautiful real estate in the country. Four (or at least three) seasons, timber, mountains, snow, sun, and...liberals all over the Flag area. Is Sedona in Coconino? Add rocks to that list...and crystals.
No! I was jus’ sayin’ that Coconino is home to Flagstaff, the ‘other’ Arizona to many Phoenicians.
‘Down here’ is Cochise County. I retired from the Army at Ft. Huachuca in ‘96 and have never left the area.
Exactly what I was thinking.
Cochise county. Yes, that is wine country (Elgin, Patagonia, etc.) is it not? Nice area. You also get the first of the Cartel vistiors, right? And you have the other Sheriff Joe (Babeau?). I like this guy. Anyway, promises not to ignore you guys any more. And, HEY, thank you for your years of service keeping us safe. We appreciate it (even if Tucson does not)!!!
Liberal Tucson is yet another AZ to us consevative Phoenicians
Liberal Tucson is yet another AZ to us conservative Phoenicians
You’re welcome, even though it didn’t seem to be all that much at the time.
Yes, Cochise and Santa Cruz counties are wine country. My sheriff is Larry Dever, and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff is Tony Estrada. Paul Babeu is the Pinal County Sheriff.
As for the Cartel members? Why, they’re all upstanding pseudo-citizens who own furniture stores and trucking companies, didn’t you know? /sarc.
Arpaio for POTUS !
Gotta give the looneys credit, they never quit.
And here on FR, there will be lots of people who will shrug in the aftermath of such losses and say things like "well, they did do this and do that", repeating propaganda fed to them by the Left to legitimize the takedown.
Pretty ridiculous. The Right always surrenders early by engaging in circular firing squads.
Best to remember the 11th Commandment.
Apparently yes.
apparently
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.