Tax Revolt greeters can stay

By NEIL YOUNG
The Daily News
Published: October 30,2007

BULLHEAD CITY - After Bullhead City police were called Monday to disperse a Arizona Tax Revolt volunteer “greeter” at the entrance of the Mohave County building on Hancock Road, an agreement has been worked out between the police and county attorney to allow greeters to stay.

Taking advantage of the throngs of residents paying their county property taxes before the final due date of Thursday, Arizona Tax Revolt volunteers have set up tables on the sidewalk outside the building housing the County Treasurer's satellite office. The intent is to gather signatures to place the Tax Revolt measures on the Nov. 2008 ballot.

As greeter, Ed Zdonek was standing by the entrance to the building to open the door for people entering the building and to inform them the petition table was on the sidewalk.

Police were called, and Zdonek was told he was trespassing. He complied with the order to leave the immediate area.

“I can't imagine how having a person stand there with no petitions and no signage other than the clothing that they're wearing could possibly be a violation of some county policy,” said Marc Goldstone, Arizona Tax Revolt chairman.

“He (Goldstone) brought the matter to my attention,” said Brian Williamson, deputy chief of police, “and I spoke to Martin Rogers, the city prosecutor and assistant city attorney and he spoke with (Mohave County Attorney) Matt Smith and it's our belief that we shouldn't interfere in calls of this nature on the County property unless the petition circulators are obstructing County operations, committing disorderly conduct or other disruptive activities,” Williamson said. “And it should be noted, none of those were occurring (Monday) to our knowledge. So, short of that happening, we will not be asking petitioners to leave.”

Goldstone has permission to reinstate his greeter at the door, although police will still respond to the scene if they receive complaint calls.

“We have to do that,” Williamson told him.

Goldstone posted himself as greeter by the building entrance Tuesday morning and once again the police showed up. The same officer who responded Monday reappeared Tuesday.

“He stopped by to say ‘hi' because the County called again,” Goldstone said.

“He informed the County that the County Attorney and the Bullhead City Police Department reviewed this and decided that we had the right to be on County property, letting people know that they can (sign petitions) off County property. I really appreciate the help of the Bullhead Police Department (and) Mayor Hakim,” Goldstone said.

“I think this was a decision by the Bullhead Police that there is no statutory measure that we're in violation of and that we have every right to be on the government property,” Goldstone said. “After all, this is our government.

“I think the County of Mohave recognized that this wasn't Moscow County but was actually Mohave County,” Goldstone quipped.