PAYSON ROUNDUP
OPINION
6 Tuesday, July 19, 2016
ourview
lookback
We must end dark money corruption
• July 19, 1799: A French soldier discovers a black basalt slab inscribed with ancient writing near the Egyptian town of Rosetta. The Rosetta Stone contained passages written in three different scripts — Greek, Egyptian hieroglyphics and Egyptian demotic — providing the key to deciphering hieroglyphic language. • July 18, 1940: President Franklin Roosevelt is nominated for an unprecedented third term. In 1947, Congress passed the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which stated that no person could be elected to the office of president more than twice. • July 20, 1969: American astronaut Neil Armstrong becomes the first human to walk on the surface of the moon. As he stepped from the lunar lander, Armstrong said: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
This might sound partisan. But it’s not. Granted, almost every single Republican lawmaker voted to shred the few, pathetic laws on the books constraining the “dark money” corruption of the system. Granted, our own Sen. Sylvia Allen and Representatives Brenda Barton and Bob Thorpe all voted for this awful law — and all benefited significantly in the last campaign from dark money spending. Granted, most of the Democrats in the Arizona Legislature voted against SB 1516, which jams open the floodgates through which special interest dark money groups threaten to drown our democracy. But that’s mostly because the Democrats have no power in Arizona. The dark money groups want favors for their contributions — like the Arizona Public Service rate increase and curtailment of incentives for homeowners to go solar. Republicans own all the statewide offices and have total control of both houses of the Legislature. Why would the dark money groups waste money buying off lawmakers who can’t deliver on the favors they seek? Without a doubt, Democrats would battle to protect dark money groups if the tables turned and they had control of the Legislature and the governor’s office. Moreover, dark money groups with a solar energy agenda waged a campaign on behalf of Democrats running for the Arizona Corporation Commission last time around. So this isn’t a partisan issue. It has to do with the crucial battle to keep dark money groups from turning our government into a dispenser of corrupt bargains. SB 1516 worked all kinds of mischief. It hacked at the broken body of the system of campaign finance laws the U.S. Supreme Court had already shot in the head with its awful Citizens United decision. Citizens United conferred on corporations and special interest groups the same free speech rights citizens enjoy. That decision destroyed the longstanding effort to limit and disclose corporate contributions. However, the Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United also essentially invited Congress and state lawmakers to pass new laws at least requiring dark money disclosures. Not surprisingly, Congress hasn’t done a thing — since incumbents benefit from dark money spending. Worse yet, Arizona legislators made the situation worse with SB 1516. The new law effectively repeals all criminal penalties for violating almost any elections law. Please note, the dark money groups are not supposed to coordinate their political campaigns and spending with actual candidates. If they do coordinate campaigns, then it becomes a political contribution to a candidate. In that case, they would have to disclose their spending and sources of money. However, this provision is widely violated. Repeated investigations have shown that dark money consultants frequently converse with consultants for the candidates. Who can prove what they talk about? Get this: Sometimes the same person coordinates dark money campaigns and works for an individual candidate. Sean Noble, one of the most notorious dark money bagmen, also worked on Gov. Doug Ducey’s campaign. Dark money efforts played a big role in getting Ducey elected. SB 1516 also allows lawmakers to bundle up contributions from dark money groups and then pass them along to their political buddies, without revealing the source of the original contribution in any form accessible to the public. This returns us to the worst days of influence peddling. Lawmakers acting as bagmen for special interest groups can now gather up contributions and pass them along to fellow lawmakers with a wink and a grin. You can be sure they’ll later demand favors on behalf of the donors. Political reform groups launched an effort to repeal this corrupt law with a referendum. They got 20,000 of the 75,000 signatures they would need before deciding they couldn’t make the Aug. 5 deadline to make the ballot. They’ve cropped that effort for now, but we certainly hope they’ll make a fresh effort at the next election. In the meantime, we’re appalled that Allen, Barton and Thorpe have fallen for the encroaching corruption of the dark money groups. Their own principles should have protected them from this insidious seduction. All three have crusaded against government overreach. All three have fought to return power to the local level. All three have spoken eloquently about the abuse of government power when it grows too concentrated. So we think it betrays everything they have stood for until now when they cast a vote that promotes corruption, shuts out the public and fosters the concentration of power in the hands of special interest groups. We hope you will ask your lawmakers to explain their vote on SB 1516 every time they speak in public. If voters demonstrate their outrage — without regard to party labels — perhaps they’ll reverse themselves and vote for real reforms next session. If not — then make it clear you won’t vote for anyone who supports the corruption of the system. It’s not their government. It’s ours. We must take it back. And no, this isn’t a partisan issue.
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Many helped with benefit Editor: Moose Lodge 852 and Women of the Moose chapter 2012 would like to thank these individuals and businesses for their donations and support for the Wallace family benefit, (which was held) from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, July 16: Sacred Skin Tattoo, Sawmill Theatres, Fletcher’s, Payson Barber Shop, Big O Tires, Miss Fitz 260 Cafe, Su Richardson with Massage by Su, Miller Auto Works, Billet Doux Images, Gila Concrete, Susie’s Q Barbecue, Little Caesars, Body-Art-Lounge, Rim Country Guns, Certified Bicycle, Payson Wireless, CarQuest, Cheryl & Hal Wellington, Grannie’s Attic, Country Charm, Kat Nygarrd with It Works Wraps, Slipsteam, Plant Fair Nursery, Back to Basic, Lone Survivor Surplus, 260 Auto, Rim Country Power Sports, Lori Mills with Piercing by Lori, Beeline Bowl, Jimi Nitso with Pluxes, Tracey Feltes with Moonchild Creations, Storybead, Jerry Gordon, Justin McNeil with JD Customs, Carson Baker, Curtis Olsen, Jason Porter with Clarity Auto and Video, Roy Haught Excavating, Brandon Furlong, Krista Beery, Natures Illuminations Woodcarving/ Sculptures, Cheaper Sweeper, Steve & Lisa Ross, Pat & Shirley Cannon, Maggie Vela at Shear Oasis, Amber Crain at Shear Oasis, Amanda Ruff at Shear Oasis, Angela T. Cockle at Artists of the Rim, Famous Dave’s in Mesa, Payson General Rental, PostNet, Patty Ihle, Uncle Herbs and Kendra’s Country Bakery. We would like to send a special thank you to Brandon from Ma and Pops Barber Shop in Star Valley, Brandon (donated) his proceeds for the days of July 14 and July 15. Members of Moose Lodge 852 and Women of the Moose Chapter 2012 and children interested in volunteering or donating should contact Christina Furlong at 928-951-2219 or Brandon Furlong at 928951-0334. Moose Lodge 852 and Women of the Moose Chapter 2012
Thank you, Rim Country! Editor: Much has been written about this past softball Season and the Lady Longhorns. We won our fifth consecutive Section Title and appeared in the State Championship game for the third year in a row. The girls did an outstanding job and we could not be more proud of them. While the season was successful on the field, we experienced an equally incredible off-the-field year thanks to the local community. There are so many people that donated money and time to the high school team I wanted to take a moment and say “Thank you.” Below is a list of organizations and/or individuals who contributed to our program. 1) MSA - Donation for the installation and expansion of pitching/hitting bull pens on both sides of the field. These pens were installed by Ty Chilson via Payson Fence. 2) Payson Concrete- Donated concrete for the batting cage. The concrete was poured my Chris Perkes, Mike Conway and Teddy Tomerlin. 3) Roy Haught Excavation- In a joint effort both Baseball and Softball purchased field dirt to improve both playing surfaces. Roy Haught Excavation picked up and delivered the product free of charge. 4) Little Caesars Pizza Payson- Donated 75 pizzas to the 8th inning of the Gracie Haught Tournament. 5) Softball Fund Raising Committee- Suzi Tomerlin, Kerry Weekly, Felicia Moore & Tamara &
Bryan Hayes. These parents were very involved in our Car Washes, Rummage Sales, Farmers Market, Gracie Haught Tournament, Concession Stand and BBQ. 6) Concession Stands product donations- Laura Miranda and Shamrock Foods 7) Gracie Haught Tournament VolunteersCommittee Members listed above, JV Team, Jory and Chris Woolwine, Casey and Paula Bramlett, Jeri Johnson, Pamela Foster, Monique Wells & Wyatt Ranft(JV Manager) and Teddy Tomerlin. 8) Jeff Stancil - Our Field Maintenance magician. Jeff did an outstanding job keeping the field playable and in good condition. 9) Keith Morris- for keeping everyone informed via his articles in the Payson Round Up. 10) Chris Higgins- KRIM radio. Provided music at all our home games and streamed live our State Playoff games. 11) Coaching Staff- Kadi Tenney, Tamara Hayes, Toby Paulson and Tara Fuller-Smith. (I would be remorse to not recognize Arissa Paulson who contributed many ways to assist our team) 12) FAN Club for their Fund Raising Support!!! 13) Town of Payson Parks and Rec for use of their fields for the Gracie Haught Tournament and JV practice at Rumsey 1. I am sure I am missing someone, but you can see we had quite a “team effort” from the community. Through the fundraising efforts we bought field tarps, hitting mats, numerous training aides, new uniforms for both JV and Varsity(arrived late but we will unveil next season) and travel expenses. Yes, it was quite a season both on and off the field. Thank you Rim Country! Curtis Johnson PHS varsity softball coach
Don’t limit off-roaders Editor: In reading an article about motorized vehicle ban on key Payson trails, I realized nowhere does Mr. Morris state how to register support or displeasure with the proposed plan. I for one would like to know how, and where to express my feelings and wishes. I have never written to an editor before. This is new for me. I don’t own quads or any off-road vehicles. I do however own property that abuts the Cypress Trail. I would like to preserve the right to use the Cypress Trail with a quad if I so choose. If you could provide the info to register my feelings it would be greatly appreciated. Randy Granger Editor’s note: To make comments on the Tonto National Forest Travel Management Plan, which would bar motorized travel off trail or on certain defined roads and trails visit the Tonto National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/ tonto or visit a local forest district office, or contact Anne Thomas, TNF NEPA coordinator at 602-225-5213. To simply make a comment write to: Marianne Thomas, Tonto National Forest All Units, 2324 East McDowell Road, Phoenix, AZ 85006 or send comments directly to: comments-southwestern-TMRTonto@fs.fed.us
worthnoting “One of the sanest, surest, and most generous joys of life comes from being happy over the good fortune of others.” — Archibald Rutledge
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TOWN OF PAYSON 303 N. Beeline Highway Phone: (928) 474-5242 Mayor - Kenny Evans kevans@paysonaz.gov Fred Carpenter fcarpenter@paysonaz.gov Su Connell sconnell@paysonaz.gov Rick Croy rcroy@paysonaz.gov Chris Higgins chiggins@paysonaz.gov Michael Hughes mhughes@paysonaz.gov John Wilson jwilson@paysonaz.gov TOWN OF STAR VALLEY 3675 East Highway 260 Phone: (928) 472-7752 Mayor Ronnie McDaniel rmcdaniel@ci.star-valley. az.us George Binney gbinney@ci.star-valley.az.us Gary Coon gcoon@ci.star-valley.az.us Barbara Hartwell bhartwell@ci.star-valley. az.us Paty Henderson patyhenderson@yahoo.com Bob O’Connor boconnor@ci.star-valley. az.us Andy McKinney amckinney@ci.star-valley. az.us GILA COUNTY Supervisor, District One Tommie Martin 610 E. Hwy. 260, Payson Phone: (928) 474-2029 tmartin@gilacountyaz.gov STATE Sen. Sylvia Allen R-District Five (602) 926-5219 sallen@azleg.gov 1700 W. Washington Room 307 Phoenix, AZ 85007 Rep. Brenda Barton R-District Five bbarton@azleg.gov (602) 926-4129 1700 W. Washington Room 123 Phoenix, AZ 85007 Rep. Bob Thorpe R-District Five rthorpe@azleg.gov (602) 926-5409 1700 W. Washington Room 338 Phoenix, AZ 85007 Rep. Paul Gosar, D.D.S. R-Arizona 4th Congressional District (202) 225-2315 504 Cannon HOB Washington, D.C. 20515 http://gosar.house.gov
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