Guest Opinion as originally posted at History of Our Future.
Jan 3, 2010 Update: Added at the bottom of the post a link to January 1 email sent out to LD20 PC’s that documents this situation.
We have heard that quote from Tip O’Neil before, so let’s look at a local district and see politics and corruption close-up and local.
Since we are basically a two-party country, was I wrong to think that that the real fight was between the Democrats and the Republicans or the liberals/progressives and conservatives. So lets go fight the good fight. But nooo….I must fight within my own party. Here is the truth as I know it for LD20. LD20 is the legislative district covering Ahwatukee, parts of Chandler and Tempe.
Well, let start off with the structure. The Political Parties within the Legislative Districts of the State of Arizona are assured to organize by Arizona Revised Statutes, Arizona GOP bylaws, the Maricopa County GOP bylaws and then the local district bylaws. Do you think those mean anything….anything at all? Apparently to those in charge of LD20, the answer is a resounding NO.
I dare bring this out because I do believe in following the law and as a member of an organization to follow their bylaws. If not, then why bother with the bylaws. Folks, accountability starts first with ourselves. If we can not be accountable to the tasks and actions that we have set for ourselves, then how can we demand that of our elected officials at the City, State and National level. Do you believe that we get the government we deserve and if we allow corruption to stand, no matter how “small” or “local” it is, it will not corrupt us as well?
So what is the dilemma?
First Issue: Roger Dickinson, is Ineligible as LD20 1st Vice Chair and was elected to LD20 board, he knows it and the Chairman knows it, neither intend to do anything about it.
- A LD20 Vice Chair board member responsible for PC recruitment (thus knowing the PC rules of eligibility) has submitted himself for the December 1, 2010 LD20 election, when he is NOT a PC.
- Why does this matter—-> Only eligible PCs may be elected to be a LD board member! He knows what he is doing is wrong.
- Roger filed a Nomination Paper Affidavit of Qualification Campaign Finance Laws Statement, as living in MODOC precinct on May 24, 2010.
- Why does this matter—-> May 24 was the day before the deadline to file to become an elected PC in 2010. This is the form to file to become an elected PC. To run for the board later in the year, he must submit this form in May to became an elected PC.
- Public records indicate that he issued a warranty deed on this home in MODOC precinct on April 21, 2010.
- Why does this matter—-> If he didn’t move out of the MODOC precinct, this doesn’t matter. But if he moved before May 24, then there is a little problem with the truth on a sworn affidavit.
- A public record of November 2, 2010, shows his new address is in Tempe 60 precinct.
- Why does this matter—->This is proof that he has moved from his precinct and no longer a PC or eligible to run for a board position within the district. He can become appointed in 2011, but that is too late for the 2010 elections.
- At the December 1, 2010 election, he was elected as LD20 1st Vice Chair and a State Committeeman. He was sworn in as 1st Vice Chair on Dec 12, 2010.
- Why does this matter—-> Raised his hand, sworn to uphold the Constitution of Arizona. I think this ceremony also needs to include the bylaws of the AZ GOP, MCRC GOP and the District GOP.
- What has Roger decided to do once this was discovered and he was asked to resign. He stated that he would concede the State Committeeman slot. That’s it!
- Why does this matter—-> The County and State have already sent out notice that he is not a PC and won’t certify him anyway.
- However in the local district, he is leaving it up to the local district chairman to decide. Really? The chairman makes the decision! What about the bylaws, don’t they matter? The chairman is not budging on this one, so it is up to the local PC’s to push the issue and follow the bylaws!
Second Issue: Brandon Schmoll, Kyrene Constable is ineligible to vote in district election and votes anyway.
- Same issue, different person. This person also moved out of his precinct from which his Affidavit to become an elected PC was filed. So this person is not a PC.
- Why does this matter—->Vacating a PC slot is not the issue, however pretending to still be a PC, is an issue.
- How do I know this person moved out of his precinct? Why public records of course. He was a candidate running for office. The Constable in the Kyrene Precinct.
- Why does this matter—-> During his campaign, there are several home addresses used in his campaign finance reports, and looks like this person told the truth about where he really lived, otherwise, why different addresses.
- So even though he moved from his precinct and even OUT OF THE DISTRICT, he presented himself at his old district’s election and voted.
- Why does this matter—-> The rules don’t matter to the Kyrene Constable? He isn’t a PC. He doesn’t live in the district. WHY is he there voting as if he did?
- Why does this matter—-> Most of the district races were very close and decided by just a few votes.
- How does that make you feel about your new elected Constable?
- Why does this matter—->The Constable serves the criminal and civil process of the Justice Courts and other legal parties. Constables are the Executive and Enforcement branch of the Justice Court.
Third Issue: Anthony Miller, District Chairman ignores the bylaws, election results and appoints by fiat.
- These discrepancies were brought up, the District Chairman was informed, he groused about it in his email about the inappropriate timing and then “appointed” two State Committeeman.
- Sounds good, except the two people he appointed were not next in line! He skipped over 30 people that received more votes than his appointee. What! Can’t he just follow the election rules already established?
- Why does this matter—-> The State Committeeman elect the State GOP Chairman. There is a battle on who will control the GOP here in Arizona, so each of these positions and votes are important.
- How do you become a State Committeeman? Each District elects a State Committeeman for every 3 PC’s. Our election was held on December 1, 2010 and the State Committeeman were determined by the candidates receiving the largest number of votes until our quota was filled.
- Why does this matter—-> The entire list is public, the next person with the most votes is the obvious choice and not selecting him is just ignoring election results.
- As for the ineligible 1st Vice Chair, there are no plans to change that situation.
Your help is needed!
If you are a LD20 PC, you need to be aware of this to understand what is happening in your district and let others in your district know. These issues need to be resolved according to the bylaws. Your help is needed.
Contact your board and let them know that you will not stand for this behavior. Updated: Here is contact info for Anthony.
When you said “Anthony Miller” you said it all.
Anthony is an unabashed McCainiac with a penchant for violating the rules and taking Jeff Vath’s “Politico Mafioso” characterization literally. To him and the Son of Cain’s ilk fair or foul doesn’t matter. Like Liberals, what matters to them is the Ends (their winning) justifying the Means.
Anthony represents all that is the worst in the Son of Cain organization. Emboldened by their leader’s Buy-n-Lie victory in the Primary, people like Anthony Miller tromp about Arizona acting as the Empire’s Storm Troops they only wish they were.
Miller only won Chairman by 3 votes. His demonstrated lack of respect for the membership should earn him a fat recall… once he returns from “Chrismas holiday” of course.
Roger Dickinson had his home put up for auction according to the recorder’s office dated 3/31/2010. This implies that he was well aware even prior to submitting his petition to be a PC that he would not reside in that precinct. The home, according to the notice, was slated to be sold on 7/10/2010. Again, this was another opportunity for him to back out as this was even before the August primaries.
the same garbage happened in LD22 with McCain/Flake/Kyl go-to guy, Jon Lindblom who single-handedly influenced two of our district leadership elections (as well as other district elections) by signing up friends and family who were inelligible to even be PCs then bringing their proxies.
http://recorder.maricopa.gov/recdocdata/GetRecDataDetail.aspx?Rec=20100272991
Patriot:
I have no idea who Roger Dickinson is. However, the document you linked to is simply a notice of foreclosure, which may or may not have been been remedied prior to the sale date. It is very clear you are flat-out wrong in saying that he “put his home up for auction”; rather, he was being threatened with foreclosure, which may or may not have happened.
You seem to care so much about this – perhaps you should drive to the house, knock on the door, and see who answers? Maybe ask them who lives there? Maybe you’re right and he’s long gone. Or maybe he got caught up on his mortgage and avoided foreclosure.
As for Jon Lindblom, whom I consider a good friend, I will admit that he is an enthusiastic Jeff Flake supporter, and also worked as a McCain staffer – however, describing him as a McCain/Kyl “go to guy” is a bit much. Jon’s actually a capitalist who makes his living selling goods, not in the political arena. Were he the overwhelming mastermind you claim, he’d be making a living doing consulting rather than running his family’s business.
As for Jon “single-handedly” influencing district leadership elections, he didn’t. He, along with a lot of other people, worked to elect candidates to LD22 leadership. (I’m one) And I’ve always thought PC’s were supposed to preach to friends and family members. I know I do, much to their occasional regret. Sometimes, I am even fortunate enough to recruit new PC’s. Should I reject them just because they are my friends?
To my knowledge, no “friends or family” of Jon were found to be ineligible for their PC slots in LD22. However, I have often seen “friends and family” of Jon Lindblom at political events. They’re usually the ones stacking chairs and doing boring things that no one else wants to do.
Jon is a solid conservative who works his tail off to help hold back Democratic gains. He deserves better than to be slandered by anonymous people on a blog who can’t get their facts straight.
And, while I don’t like McCain very much, I am tired of people implying that it’s somehow a mark of being “unconservative” to be associated with a long-serving Republican United States Senator.
You are a bit naive Steve and obviously have been fed a big fat lie by Jon. He knows because he has been confronted with evidence that proves the PCs he brought/arranged to have proxies were not elligible since they no longer lived in the precinct they represented. Of course, he claimed ignorant but he knew full well what the rules were. And yes, he DID affect the outcome of our 2 elections for district chair since the first election, he carried (and handed out in the parking lot) approximately 90 proxies and the second election when at least 5 proxies (oddly enough, all friends and family of Lindblom) were also illegal votes cast since they had moved from their precinct. Those 5 votes would have decided a DC. So, thanks to Jon, our district has to hold ANOTHER election at our district’s expense. I’m sure he’s an upstanding, honorable, honest guy. But, he’s playing politics and a game and you are a fool for trusting and believing him.
What is really interesting is the biggest defender of Roger Dickinson and Anthony Miller on the Greater Phoenix Tea Party Patriots site, is none other than the Doyenne of despicable diatribes herself, ‘Donia Deakin!
Now WHAT’S really interesting is that in the heat of the campaign, Jimmie Lee and his sweet wife Adonia had their home foreclosed upon. HOW’S THAT for a US Senat Candidate! Oh Yes! They supported Anthony Miller, McCain hack, for LD20 Chair
Here’s the article and the comments by Doyenne ‘Donia Deakin:
http://phoenixteaparty.ning.com/profiles/blogs/shenanigans-in-the-republican?xg_source=activity
Roger Dickinson isn’t that bad a guy, and I think he was doing the best he could in the general election during tough times. His mistake in the middle of economic issues and election craziness is quite understandable. His mistake in refusing to rectify the situation even after the County Recorder’s notice was sent, not so much.
@Az Patriot; its been said before on this blog, Jim Deakin is a sock puppet for John McCain.
Haha, all of you teapublicans are retarded. Go suck on the tit of a gerbil, or something! You people are disgusting and a disease…go F$ck yourselves before you ruin this country!