editor: fred miller February 16, 2025 #88/February 2025
Hello,
The former county supes, with the exception of Ann English, spent your money on outside attorneys. The new supes are even worse. See the saga below. It appears that Instead of fiscal conservatives, we now have fictional conservatives.
Have you noticed how deep lines are now etched into trumpie's face. On some camera shots he looks like a frog. His bald spot is becoming more prominent. His skin is a color not found in nature. His belt size must be pushing 48 or 50. His talking, often baffling, now seems incoherent. When a clown moves into the palace, he doesn't become a king, the palace becomes a circus. Turkish Proverb
The KBRP Mardi Gras gig at the Jonquil Saturday was a lot of fun. Alongside Lisa Barr, the new general manager of the Grand, I was serving hurricaines, checking out the costumes, and occasionally bopping to the sounds. Lotsa volunteer peeps made it happen.The bands played on, Mike of Outlaw Taqueria returned to his New Or-lins roots and made some fine gumbo and red beans&rice.
You too can be a part of KBRP through membership-at $5 a month-and volunteering to help out. Send a note to bisbeeKBRP@gmail.com. You'll be plugged in.
fredWire subscriptions are free and will remain so. I would be grateful for your donation to offset the cost of subscriptions to the many news sites I utilize. Use the QR code for Zelle with my email (bisbeewire@gmail.com) or send a check made out to fred miller, 39 Hazzard, 85603. Thank you.
And a big thank you to 40+ who have already supported the Wire with contributions. I truly appreciate your support and comments.
...........AROUND TOWN.............
STORY CANNABIS DISPENSARY IS CLOSING
The store on Naco Hwy will be closing on Feb 28 leaving Bisbee just a year and a half after it opened
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HWY 80 CLOSED AT I-10
The westbound I-10 on-ramp at SR 80 will be closed from 3 a.m. Monday, Feb. 24, until 5 a.m. Tuesday, March 4. Detour: Drivers may consider using the on-ramp at Ocotillo Road to access I-10. https://azdot.gov/projects/southcentral-district-projects/i-10-sr-90-to-sr-80-climbing-lane-extension-project
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NEXT DOOR FERMENT
Some users are claiming censorship, some people don't understand the guidelines, other people are attacking other people. Moderators are not allowed to respond to crits and there are protocols that they have to follow. It is not helpful to talk about censorship when that is not what is happening. It ain't a free for all. Next Door is a valuable asset and there seems to be a need to cool it and sort it out before making accusations.
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KBRP GETS A FISHY EMAIL: ATTACK ON PUBLIC STATIONS BEGINS
Non-profit broadcasting stations have been put on notice of more scrutiny by the actions of the chair of the FCC, Brendon Carr. In the first salvo in a battle with non-profit stations he wrote a letter to NPR/PBS admonishing them about commercial ads-“… it is possible that NPR and PBS member stations are broadcasting underwriting announcements that cross the line into prohibited commercial advertisements.” And “For my own part, I do not see a reason why Congress should continue sending taxpayer dollars to NPR and PBS given the changes in the media marketplace since the passage of the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967.”
Last week KBRP received an email that seemed to be AI generated seeking to solicit a commercial endorsement in exchange for a donation-expressly prohibited.
“I am the agent of an author who writes speculative fiction, his name being Ango Rombus. I would like to use your underwriter program to give his new book some exposure…I would buy the 3 month option for $50 and see how that went. Is this acceptable. Graham Stuart (Publisher) 412 320-9770”
It might be a bit of paranoia, but more likely is an attempt to lure a non-profit into violating FCC rules. Stay tuned.
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GRAFFITI BE GONE
Redbone owners (an excellent vintage store at the mouth of Subway) have cleaned up the walkway between Subway and Main. The brick walls had become obscured by the chalk graffiti distracting the beauty of the building.
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BISBEE MENTIONS
food tax
romantic getaways
More Patisserie Jacqui
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GARDEN BETTY GARDENERS ADVICE
All of Bisbee is in USDA growing zone 8B. Our last frost date is about April 8. Want seed starting dates, to chart your personalize garden dates go here. This blog is a chatty informative garden site with many gardening suggestions from making your own soil to the kinds of shade cloth. The woman has some energy! https://gardenbetty.com
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BHS CHEERLEADERS WENT FOR CALIFORNIA GOLD
BHS cheerleaders were in the USA Spirit Nationals in Anaheim on Feb 13-15. Shoulder stands! choreographed gymnastics! Pyramids! They placed in the top 10. Donations are still needed and can be done through a GoFundMe account set up on their behalf or contact the board through itsFacebook page or email them at bisbeecheerboosterclub@gmail.com.
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BEES
A good primer on how to avoid being stung. The Killer Bee guy gives about keeping safe.
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ARIZONA PARK FEES INCREASE
Most fees for people and/or cars are increasing by the end of the month. General increase is about $3, but some popular destintions are more. Go here for the fee sched.
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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!
You can vid an event as long as you do not interfere with the activity of BP or cops. Very complete website for all things immigration; legal, know your rights, resources, ICE raids, what can and cannot be done, and much more.
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CLASSES GALORE
Cochise College has a variety of in person and online classes for lifetime learning. Bookkeeping for business owners, sandcast jewelry making, Word/Excel fundamentals for beginners and intermediate learners, nonprofit administration and many more. Check it out here
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DON'T HOLD YOUR BREATH
Sprouts natural food store will be opening in 2027 at a new shopping center to be build at buffalo soldier & hwy 92.
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IT'S SOMETHING...HOLD YOUR DOUGH FOR A DAY
United States consumers are being encouraged to show support for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives with a one-day spending blackout. Led by The People's Union, organizers aim to highlight consumer power and push back against corporate decisions, particularly regarding diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) rollbacks."The goal of the February 28th economic blackout is simple, to show that we the people, are the backbone of this economy," Go here for more info.
...........THE RANT.............
It is difficult to watch, this dismantling of agencies set up to protect us. The heart-less and cruel firing of thousands of people that do the work to keep us safe. The workers at Department of Health and Human Services, Institute of Health, Treasury, Consumer Financial Protection, Medicaid and Medicare, Department of Education, FAA, FEMA, IRS, are gone and more will follow in the coming month.
Those human beings lives are upended in a few hours. Men and women with children, pets, mortgages, rent payments, child care arrangements, credit card debt, car loans, and more are now out of a job, immediately. What will/would you do?
This is all being done by this pasty faced wannabe fuhrer. Elon Musk, with the consent of the large group of toadies-formally republicans. Musk is a draft dodger who moved to Canada to escape conscription in the South African military. He has been a US citizen for only 23 years. He also is a citizen of Canada and South Africa. According to the Washington Post, Musk arrived in the US in 1995 on a J-1student visa to study at Stanford. However he did not enroll in any classes. He formed a startup company called Zip2. Since he was not in school and did not have a work visa, he was in the US illegally. He also cajoled his brother, Kimbal, to come to the US to run his company. His brother has said they were definitely in the country illegally. Two years later he received a H-1 work visa through the help of investors in his company.
Although simplistic, in very base terms what is happening in DC is the largest transfer of wealth from working people to corporations and rich people in our country’s history.
The hundreds of billions of dollars ‘saved’ by eliminating workers and programs will be used to pay for the estimated $5 trillion dollars tax cuts.
It is easy to feel and act demoralized. The sheer number of actions happening is overwhelming. But because they are happening in DC we are relatively unscathed. Not for long. In our county there are already verbal skirmishes between the hard line feds and sheriff with the feds wanting to use our jail for their immigration holding cells; between politicians wanting the police/sheriffs to do the bidding of the feds as immigration officers or to go into Mexico after the 'baddies'; and in general wanting all county law enforcement to act as immigration enforcers. (See 2/16 Herald Review for several articles about what's going on the border.)
It's has only been a month. There are many things you can do as opposition to the wickedness begins to surface, jell and mobilize. If there local rallies, go and provide physical support. Write letters or talk to any media outlets with your messages, write emails to congress people-not just democrats and vent, call those same offices with succinct statements of what you are feeling and urging them to find their backbones.
CONTACT INFO FOR YOUR REPS
AZ Senator Mark Kelly Phone: (520) 475-5177
AZ Senator Ruben Gallego Phone: (520) 777-0400
6th Cong. Dist. Rep. Juan Ciscomani Phone: (520) 881-3588
7th Cong. Rep. Dist. Raul Grijalva Phone: (520) 622-6788
.........COCHISE COUNTY.............
THE JAIL SAGA CONTINUES…
As I was saying in the last issue...
then the supes…
…decided to formally withdraw support for the legal position of the previous board for the lawsuit challenging the 2023 jail district election.Meanwhile….
...The board continued to oppose the intervention in the court suit by Sheriff Mark Dannels, and AZ Sec of State Adrian Fontes.
Whoa, then the Supremes sang 'You Keep Me Hanging On'…
...and kicked only one of several issues contesting the jail election back to the Superior Court to decide whether the election contestors are correct in challenging the election. The challengers are arguing that not sending ballots to 10,000 inactive voters was a mistake. The judges said they have to provide 'clear and convincing' evidence that the inactive ballots would have affected the outcome of the election that was won by 750 votes. Usually judge David Thorn would hear the case since he was involved in the initial legal wrangling, however his wife, Lori Zucco, is now the county attorney and it would be a conflict of interest. The judges also decided in favor of the supes against intervention in the case by Sherirff Dannels. Whew! This will be continued …
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CROSBY SINGING 'I CAN'T HELP MYSELF' TO THE SUPREMES; THEY SAY NIX BRO, WRONG SONG! , IT'S 'THE WAY YOU DO THE THINGS YOU DO'
Them busy Supremes…They struck down (in what I hope is the last fuckin time) County Supervisor Tom Crosby legislative immunity claim. He had asked the judges, through his attorney, to review his immunity claims. The issue is whether legislative immunity prohibits the charges of a grand jury that the two county officials interfered with an the Secretary of State in her duties to officially the 2022 election. Crosby and Judd had received advice that it was unlawful from then county attorney Brian McIntyre. But did it anyway. The superior court and the court of appeals have rejected his various arguments. The two counts against him are Class 5 felonies and he will go to trial in late March or April (the main witness will be McIntyre). He has said no dice to plea deals similar to what supe Peggy Judd, charged with the same thing, took last year, avoiding the lengthy legal hearings.
but wait it's not over...
In the overlap of the 'Give it a fuckin rest!’ department and the 'yes, repugnicans are vengeful' department....
The seemingly vindictive supes are hiring an expensive attorney to see if the county’s insurance pool violated coverage by not giving two previous supes legal defense when they were accused of two felonies for allegedly interfering with the AZ sec of state in the 2022 election.
One option after the review is that they may file legal malpractice charges against the former county attorney who was recently hired to work in his former office. Apparently for telling Judd and Crosby that what they were doing was illegal. Duh!
The current and previous supervisors have spent an enormous amount of your money on outside attorneys related to the 2022/2023 elections. I don’t know the sum, but I would guess at least $500,000-$1 million ballpark.
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DEJÀ VU ALL OVER AGAIN
Outgoing county Recorder David Stevens, has conducted a test to embed special marks on ballot paper. Persistent devil you may say. You may recall the clusterfuck of a $1 million grant to him from the state lege instigated by dipshit conspiracy believer Mark Finchem for imprinting ballot paper using a special ‘dandy’ roll with various marks to ensure ballots could not be forged. This was despite the fact there was never any fraudulent ballots in any election in any state!
Recorder Stevens ran this test on a few ballots from some of the stored 10 tons of ballot paper he bought before the grant was rescinded, and lo and behold! It can be done…at a cost of 10-15 cents per ballot! …Stevens and his maga-ilk legislators seem to think they are heroes in a cowboy hat riding the white horse to save us lowly voters from all kinds of villainy, but really they’re wearing a beany riding a plastic horse on a merry-go-round. Lordy, wtf is wrong with these people?
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COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN SEEKING INPUT
The Cochise County Comprehensive Plan is a blueprint for our county's growth, infrastructure, housing, and environmental sustainability. Comments are solicited about what you think should be country priorities in the coming years. Visit cp2045.cochise.az.gov to explore the project and complete a quick survey. #CochiseCounty2045 #ComprehensivePlan #CommunityVoices
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FORMER COUNTY ATTORNEY HIRED BY THE NEW COUNTRY ATTORNEY TO BE A CRIMINAL ATTORNEY IN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
Lori Zucco, Cochise County Attorney has hired former county attorney, Brian McIntyre as chief criminal deputy.
...............THE LEGE................
A bill has been introduced at the legislature, HCR-2021, which would ask voters whether to keep local governments tax on food.
It would mean a loss of revenue for Bisbee-$616,000 or 14.1% revenue hit to Bisbee's budget would cause extensive cuts to services. There is no other way to make up for that money. Most other cities in the county would take the same hit. Large cities like Tucson, Phoenix, Mesa and Marana, have no food tax because there are many other taxes they levy that bring in money to run their cities. Of course smaller cities do not have base of voters who would get a say on this if it goes to a vote.
Here are several other bills that are also bad for cities so far.
SB1013 municipalities; counties; fee increases; vote
HB2118 TPT; sourcing; business location; receipt
HB2191 religious institutions; development; allowed use
HB2221 law enforcement; defunding; prohibition
HB2317 residential building materials; requirements; prohibition
HB2319 private property; design; regulations; prohibition
HB2371 planning; home design; restrictions; prohibition
Next issue a big rundown on the bills moving, or not, at the lege.
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...............SHORTIES................
GEE, LESS WORKERS MEANS HIGHER PRICES?
One in five agricultural workers and one in eight construction workers in Arizona lack permanent legal status, according to Pew Research Center data.
“If you remove a significant portion of the state’s labor force, what results are labor shortages,” said George Hammond, director of the Economic and Business Research Center at the University of Arizona. “That creates supply chain issues (and) shortages of goods and services.” Arizona Mirror article.
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AH YES, Imma politician, traffic laws do not apply
Those pesky cops stopped AZ senator Mark Finchem (wonder if he thought it was a conspiracy) for speeding, 48 in a 30. He demanded they erase the ticket because he had legislative immunity. Former nut case and az senator Justine Wadsack used the same excuse last year to no avail. Go here for the story. A fellow lawmaker-from the same Prescott area, has introduced a bill prohibiting legislative immunity for traffic tickets.
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SEN. ELIZABETH WARREN: "Look, these damn billionaires are making their moves right out in the open. Look at Elon, please. No, just look. He invested $288 million to buy an election for Donald Trump. And now he is right here to collect on that investment. Elon Musk owns X, which has been losing money like crazy. So Elon has a plan for a new payment platform called xMoney. Elon wants xMoney to touch every part of your financial life. But — but — Elon has got a problem: the financial cops. The CFPB is there to make sure that Elon’s new project can’t scam you or steal your sensitive personal data. So, Elon’s solution? Get rid of the cops: Kill the CFPB"
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BIRD FLU FOUND IN MILK
Avian Influenza has been found in milk from an infected herd in Maricopa County. Because milk is pasteurized, it is thought that it is not a risk for humans. However a few workers that came in contact with infected cattle as well as birds have gotten sick.
On Feb. 11, the department confirmed the presence of the H5N1 D1.1 strain of avian influenza in a single herd. The facility is now under quarantine. Unlike other cases reported in neighboring states like Nevada, the cattle affected by the D1.1 strain have not shown any signs of illness so far.
.............EVERYTHING ELSE.............
SOLO AGING
No matter how much we fight it, ignore it, or make peace with it, we’re all on a one way street called Aging that has no outlets. It is not only prudent that we understand what happens to us, but to anticipate and plan, as best we can, for getting older.
Folks that live alone are used to doing for themselves, but the unexpected can crop up and sometimes the familiarity of routine narrows thinking. This article is a good for focusing attention on what is important as you get older.
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AGING IS NOT LINEAR
“The research suggests aging isn’t strictly temporal, not solely about minutes and years passing. Once considered a steady, predictable decline, affecting everything in our bodies, everywhere, all at once, aging is much more haphazard than we once thought, starting in different parts of our bodies at different times, possibly long before we’re even thinking about aging.
It’s also personal, occurring at a unique molecular level inside each of us, and the process may be partially within our control. Once we know how our own organs are aging, we may be able to brake or speed that process by how we live.”
This quote is from this article on organ aging. It’s good information about this emerging knowledge can help us cope with the brain saying of course you can dance all night and the bod responding by saying not on these feet.
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THE THINGS YOU LEAVE BEHIND
The following info was taken from a book, The Beginners Guide to the End an excellent source for the many things to do that are helpful for those that are here after you are not. I personally think it is morally obligatory not to impose added grief when you are no longer present to yelled at for leaving a mess.
THE folder of Things You Leave Behind
-Advance directive that's signed (and notarized if necessary)
-Lawyer and accountant's contact info
-Birth certificate
-Will and living trust (with certificate of trust)
-Durable power of attorney
-Life insurance policy with agent's name and contact info
-Military service documents
-Bank account plus any safe-deposit information
-Investment information
-Real estate documents and deeds
-Debtor information (cred cards, loans, membership dues)
-Copy of driver's license and Social Security card-or number
-Marriage or divorce certificate
-Location and combination of any safes in your house
-Tax information
-Passwords for phone, computer, email, and social media accounts
-Letters to loved ones
-Funeral and burial plot documents and funeral insurance
-Instructions for funeral and buriel
-Helpful home details; location of car keys, gate codes, hide-a-key locations, and garage door openers
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ADVICE FROM THE DYING
The following are reflections of a hospice worker about the things that were most important to those whom she was carrying for.
Prioritize Friendships
Letting relationships wither. They wish that they had made more plans with good friends, or they thought about getting back in touch with an old buddy, and talked themselves out of it.
Tell people you love the, you appreciate them
Find joy in the ordinary
Mundanity has its own rewards
Don’t sweat the small stuff
It’s not worth your attention and takes away from enjoyment of the day
What have you left undone
What are you wanting to do, often for some time, but you just have not gotten around to it.
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GREEN BURIALS AT MEMORY GARDENS
The Gardens will offer a trail in the desert setting and the deceased will be buried along it ready for nature to do its thing. The bodies are not embalmed in green burials. There are no pricey concrete vaults or caskets, only biodegrade containers and shrouds. Go here for the article in the HR
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SUGAR: REALLY GOOD, but REALLY BAD
It’s a battle. I’m a sugar junkie, always have been, must be the Scandinavian in my genes, but when I reduced my daily regimen of breakfast sweets, cookies, and the frequent pieces of pie, I noticed a significant difference in my bod. Swelling in my foot for the past year and a half, was gone in three weeks. My hands became nimble, I slept better. Unfortunately, there was no help with erectile non-function, but can’t have everything. Read this article for encouragement to reduce your sugar intake.
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TRAIN ROBBERS IN ARIZONA? IT’S A THING
Robbing trains, the highlight of a many a western movie is making a return. According to law enforcement, cartels are behind the increase. Cutting an air hose, snipping the boxcar lock, unload the merch in the desolate desert into SUVs and trucks and $200k worth of Nike sneakers can be had. Go here for the article
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OUR DOG WILL NOT DO THIS
............... WORD...............
Trumpie wanted to name the Gulf of Mexico after himself, but more apt would have been the Bay of Pigs.
We hang petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office. ~ Aesop, Greek slave & fable author
A Politician is a fellow who will lay down your life for his country Texas Guinan. 19th-century American businessman
Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber. ~ Plato, ancient Greek Philosopher
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Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge even where there is no river. ~ Nikita Khrushchev, Russian
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When I was a boy, I was told that anybody could become President; I'm beginning to believe it. ~ Quoted in 'Clarence Darrow for the Defence' by Irving Stone.
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Politicians are people who, when they see light at the end of the tunnel, go out and buy some more tunnel. ~ John Quinton, American actor/writer
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Politics is the gentle art of getting votes from the poor and campaign funds from the rich, by promising to protect each from the other. ~Oscar Ameringer, "the Mark Twain of American Socialism."
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I offered my opponents a deal: "if they stop telling lies about me, I will stop telling the truth about them". ~ Adlai Stevenson, campaign speech, 1952.
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I have come to the conclusion that politics is too serious a matter to be left to the politicians. ~ Charles de Gaulle, French general & politician
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Instead of giving a politician the keys to the city, it might be better to change the locks. ~ Doug Larson (English middle-distance runner who won gold medals at the 1924 Olympic Games
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I am reminded of a joke: What happens if a politician drowns in a river? That is pollution.
What happens if many of them drown? That is a solution.
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