You are here: Home / 2009 / May / Archives for 6th

Brett Mecum: Thoughts & Fallout

May 6, 2009 By 52 Comments

As you can see from an earlier post, one of our writers posted the story that ran in the Arizona Republic today regarding the arrest of Arizona Republican Party Executive Director, Brett Mecum. The earlier post featured a mugshot of Brett taken by MCSO and featured on the AZCentral website. I received a number of angry emails and phone calls asking why our writer put up the mugshot. Having known Brett to be a conservative Republican (although he was have to admit he was driving pretty “liberal” when photo radar snapped his photo), I made the decision, out of respect of Brett, to replace the photo with a more respectful one. Now I don’t want to receive another angry bunch of emails/phone calls from the other side on this which then becomes another story. Enough said on that!

Several of us bloggers are asking some interesting questions: For starters, why did DPS take 30 days before it arrested Brett Mecum? (I’m not buying the “I was confronted by…” line. If they handcuff you and take you downtown for a mugshot, that qualifies as an “arrest.” Or, did I miss something?)

Back to the delay in the arrest. Is DPS that far backlogged in warrants? Was Redflex running the operation on Brett’s speeding photo and if so, why did it take sooooo long to get that photo of a driver at 100+ mph over to DPS? Is that standard operating procedure? Did the entity who took the photo stall on the release of the photo to DPS? Are these types of prosecutions delayed as a result of lack of funding? Or is there something political going on? Why not arrest Brett at his address of record? Did Brett piss off someone at DPS?

There will be fallout over this. According to the liberal media, there’s never a bad time for a good Republican scandal. Doug Quelland is in the middle of one with the Clean Elections Commission. Like they say, when it rains, it pours.

I would expect the party to put pressure on Brett to resign. His arrest will likely be a distraction but more important, the expectation on Republicans to be good role models is much higher than it is on Democrats. Democrats expect to “get a free pass” because people expect them to be the way they are – no moral absolutes. So Brett will likely have to go regardless of what any judge or jury decides.

The party will get over it and so will leadership.

I suppose the important lesson in all this is that the party takes a hit because someone in leadership does something stupid. But you get back up on your feet and you fight another day. Once upon a time, I would have thrown Brett under the nearest bus. Now that I’m a little older, I recognize and accept the fact that people make mistakes. Do I think that Brett should remain in leadership? My answer is no. But I don’t think this is an open and shut case and hopefully, we’ll have some questions answered.

Meanwhile, Brett will pay a price and hopefully learn a lesson. Thank God no one got killed.

Filed Under: Crime and Punishment, Human Condition

PR: Brewer Names Director of AZ Homeland Security

May 6, 2009 By 8 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 6, 2009

Governor Brewer Names Gilbert Orrantia
Director, Arizona Department of Homeland Security

PHOENIX – Arizona Governor Jan Brewer today named Gilbert Orrantia as the new Director of the Arizona Department of Homeland Security. Mr. Orrantia will guide the Department in it’s mission to protect Arizona citizens by providing strategic direction for enhancing regional capability and capacity to prevent terrorist attacks within Arizona; reduce Arizona’s vulnerability to all critical hazards; and minimize the damage and recover from all critical hazards that affect the safety, well-being and economic security of the citizens of Arizona.

“I am honored to add Mr. Orrantia to my Cabinet,” stated Brewer. “His extensive background and numerous years with the FBI will be invaluable, particularly during these volatile and dangerous times for our nation. His experience in the areas of counterterrorism, homeland security, drugs and organized crime will be a tremendous asset as we work diligently to keep our great state and citizens safe and secure.”

Most recently, Mr. Orrantia served as Director of Atalert Investigations and Consulting, performing major case investigations involving criminal, counterterrorism and homeland security matters. He is fluent in both English and Spanish and conducted in-depth witness and subject/suspect interviews using both languages. Prior to his time with Atalert, he spent 27 years with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a Special Agent and Supervisory Special Agent in Phoenix, New Mexico, Tennessee and Florida. In these roles, he gained in-depth, hands-on experience conducting and supervising complex investigations involving counterterrorism, drugs and organized crime. He also served as an FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force Supervisory Special Agent supervising international and domestic terrorism investigations, which included overseeing special events and airport security matters. He also spent seven years investigating Colombian Drug Trafficking Organizations. Mr. Orrantia received his Bachelor of Arts from Arizona State University. His father, Gilbert Orrantia, Sr., is an Arizona native and a member of the Arizona Veteran’s Hall of Fame.

“I want to thank the outgoing Director, Ms. Leesa Berens Morrison, for her dedication, hard work, and efforts in helping to establish Arizona’s Department of Homeland Security and for her willingness to engage in an effective transition process with the incoming Director,” said Governor Brewer. “She has served the State of Arizona and its citizens very well, and I wish her all the best.”

 

Filed Under: Border, Press Release, Public Safety

Mecum Arrested

May 6, 2009 By 48 Comments

Straight from the Arizona Republic:

The executive director of the Arizona Republican Party was charged with reckless driving and criminal speeding Wednesday after a photo radar camera caught him driving 109 mph on Loop 101.

Brett Mecum was arrested by Department of Public Safety officers around 10:30 a.m. at party headquarters in Phoenix in connection with an April 10 incident.

DPS Spokesman Bart Graves said Mecum was driving a blue 2008 Ford Mustang eastbound on the 101 near 59th Avenue. The camera caught him going 44 mph over the posted speed limit of 65.

Mecum, 30, was booked into the 4th Avenue Jail. He became executive director of the party Jan. 1 following the resignation of Sean McCaffrey. Mecum had previously served as the party’s political director.

The party did not respond to a request for comment.

 

Filed Under: Crime and Punishment, Human Condition

The Republic of Arizona

May 6, 2009 By 24 Comments

There is a discussion taking place among some Arizonans to depart dramatically from the agenda of the new socialist federal government. This should come as no surprise as other “red states” are also tossing variations on the idea around. Last month, Texas Governor Rick Perry did not condemn the idea and now we hear that Oklahomans are restless in their distrust, dismay and disgust with the federal government (“House bypasses governor’s veto to claim Oklahoma’s sovereignty“).

If Arizona were to in fact embark on a course of secession, fear not, the new republic would be able to stand on her own financially. An elimination of the income tax and dramatic reduction in the corporate tax would draw individuals and businesses to the new republic in droves. Tourism would also continue to thrive with our majestic Grand Canyon, Mogollon rim high country and Sonoran desert. But I would make one go-no-go suggestion. Approach the Governor of Sonora Mexico and request to extend the Arizona-Mexico border directly  due west (at 31.332140, -111.074230) to extend to the Gulf of California. In doing so, this would provide Arizona with both a southern riviera and open access to the Pacific Ocean. Imagine the amount of wealth Arizona could create with the additional tourism and commerce obtained and developed by annexing the additional land.

Republic of ArizonaNow before you completely dismiss the idea of a sovereign Republic of Arizona, how many of you would have ever expected the brash and blatant disregard of states’ rights by this federal government? How many of you expected the internationalization of the United States by this Administration? The country is more divided than ever as this federal government seeks to socialize industry, financial institutions, health care, energy, you name it. And if you think the idea of an Arizona seaport is a little wacky, consider that the public policy group, Imagine Arizona headed by John Munger, has also called on the same idea – “Port of Arizona” – minus the official border realignment.

I would argue that if the federal government continues to reshape this country in the image of an internationally-intwined, socialist nation state, we can expect the issue of a sovereign Arizona Republic to gain popularity with historically independent-minded Arizonans.

Finally, a disclaimer: This author and post categorically denies any association with any racist, confederate, militia or xenophobic organizations.

 

Filed Under: Border, Economic Development, Economics, Foreign Policy, Government, International Trade

Will the Speed Tax be repealed?

May 6, 2009 By 5 Comments

Chairman Biggs passed around to the Members for review, a copy of Solicitation Number L8‑022 from DPS, which included an introduction to Redflex usage of cameras for tailgating infractions and equipment locations in an enforcement zone (Attachment 5).

Pay Attention

With the state budget woes, (and all bets suggesting Napolitano knew how bad it was going to be), consider the ubiquitous and hated by many photo radar from RedFlex or Arizona Traffic Systems.  Recent upgrades to their system allow units to make real-time notification to law enforcement of any “vehicle of interest” that happens to pass the camera.  This unit is operational in Show Low Arizona today. Re-read that last sentence, its not just a quick pic but a networked system to law enforcement to run your plates real-time on the fly.

But what does this have to do with the budget?

Per the contract documents, each speed camera is expected to generate 3,000 citations per month, or between 4 to 5 hits per hour per location.  The first phase of the contract specifies 100 deployed cameras (not counting those in your local municipality, but on state highways).  By 2010 the system is expected to expand to 200 units.

The state’s share of the booty?  Each camera per month is projected to generate $282,600 and, when fully deployed over the entire state the new “speed tax” should generate upwards of $340 million dollars per year for a starved state budget and dubious programs.

In January H.B. 2106 was approved by transportation and infrastructure committee and approved by the House Rules Committee on March 30, 2009.

“The state reserves the right to terminate the contract, in whole or in part at any time, when in the best interests of the state, without penalty or recourse,” section 9.4 of the contract states. “Upon receipt of the written notice, the contractor shall stop all work, as directed in the notice… The contractor shall be entitled to receive just and equitable compensation for work in progress, work completed and materials accepted before the effective date of the termination.”

Faced with such a huge cash cow (remember only 5 snapshots per hour generate huge revenues to the state), does the Legislature have what it takes to do the right thing?  Remove the system and prohibit the use of these devices in Arizona.  Or will the lure of easy money have a very strong appeal?

It can be argued that these cameras are indeed a safety device.  I doubt that however.  And in Arizona, one key law enforcement official agrees with me  And he cites the Constitution.

House Bills to monitor:

  • HB 2106 kills the camera program altogether
  • HB 2124 restricts the use of the photo radar system to enforcing only a few specific sections of ARS.
  • HB 2168 mandates a study to determine the necessity of photo radar cameras before AZ DPS and DOT can enter into or renew a contract for speed cameras.
  • HB 2494 creates a statutory limit for photo radar violations of 11 miles above the speed limit. The threshold for triggering speed cameras is currently decided by the police jurisdiction which controls the cameras.

Senate Bills:

  • SB 1291 allows the courts to share photo enforcement violation records with ADOT.
  • SB 1355 removes the cameras from state highways.
Filed Under: Constitutional Law, State Budget, Taxation, Transportation

100 Days … are we there yet?

May 6, 2009 By 1 Comment

Filed Under: Media

Who is Dennis Burke, rumored to be our next U.S. Attorney?

May 6, 2009 By 11 Comments

Dennis Burke Diane Humetewa
The word is that competent, career prosecutor Diane Humetewa is about to be sacked as U.S. Attorney to make way for Janet Napolitano crony Dennis Burke. This is unfortunate.

Burke is known for little other than carrying Napolitano’s water at the Attorney General’s Office then at the Governor’s Office. While at the Governor’s Office, when he was considering running for Attorney General, he was featured in a TV ad for the governor – a blatant waste of tax dollars in order to promote Burke’s visibility. He and Napolitano’s other cronies left the office in disgrace when Napolitano left for Homeland Security: As Espresso Pundit has documented, Burke walked out with a killing from unused vacation, which was permitted to accumulate in amounts in excess of the limits set on state employees by the Department of Administration, $41,315.

The total haul for Janet’s people on the Ninth Floor, who along with her are responsible for the current fiscal mess, was over $870,000. As an attorney and Chief of Staff to Governor Napolitano, Burke is the one who either failed to see this legalized theft or allowed it to happen.

If merit were the rule of the day rather than cronyism, Burke wouldn’t get a job sweeping the floors due to his stunning mismanagement. As it is, he is set to replace the first Native American U.S. Attorney, and Burke probably has his sights set on even higher goals.

And let’s not forget that Burke is a member of the Phoenix Country Club, which Burke’s own buddy Terry Goddard ruled violated civil rights laws by discriminating against women. But did Burke make a statement for women by leaving the club? Of course not. He may talk a good game, but heaven forbid he sacrifice his golf game to stand up for women’s rights.

That’s quite a site–a political hack member of a country club that discriminated against women according to Democrat Terry Goddard replacing a Native American woman as U.S. Attorney. Think the press would pick this up if Burke were a Republican and Humetewa were a Democrat?

Filed Under: Crime and Punishment, Political Parties